Lathe Soft Jaws

I needed some better soft jaws. Previously I used
small strips of aluminum which need to be held in
place as jaws are tightened.

I rooted through my copper pipe remnants and found
suitable copper pipe.

Attachment 49921

Cleaned them up with abrasive strips

Attachment 49922

Used a wire brush on an extension to clean the inside

Attachment 49923

Mounted in the chuck and used a cut off tool to make pieces

Attachment 49924

Attachment 49925

Went to the vise to slit the pieces with a band saw

Attachment 49926

Used an old morse taper adapter pressed in using
the tail stock while slowly opening the chuck jaws as
the tube expanded.

Attachment 49927

As the first tube neared the end, I added the others
one by one until the popped off the adapter.

Attachment 49928

Attachment 49929

There was a lot of spring back. In retrospect I should
have annealed the parts before expanding

Attachment 49930

The tubes stretched over and firmly gripped the jaws.

Attachment 49931

Mounted the chuck to allow for easy spinning

Attachment 49932

Center the jaws as the tubes make contact

Attachment 49933

Slowly close each jaw 1/4 turn on the wrench at a time.

Attachment 49934

Stop when the jaws are tight against each other

Attachment 49935

Move to the bench

Attachment 49936

Used a hammer and piece of steel to flatten the
remaining curves agains the jaws. Once again,
prior annealing would have been a good idea.

Attachment 49937

Return to the spindle to provide stability while using
a fine tooth hacksaw to cut slits

Attachment 49938

Tap the tabs down around to grip the back side of the jaw.

Attachment 49939

The finished soft jaws and ready for action

Attachment 49940

Attachment 49941