New tool: How to use fro watch turning

[Ulises Victoria]

Hello all. I know this is basically a penturners forum, but I feel there has to be somebody else that has used the tool I'm asking help for.
I am trying to turn a few Pocket watch kits from PSI.
There are 2 new tools for me: a 1-3/8" forstner bit and a 1-3/8" Combination Expanding Collet Chuck.
I have no problem with the Forstner bit, but when I try to attach the drilled piece to the chuck, the instructions say to "drill a 1/4" min to 1/2" max hole ( I drilled a 3/8 hole), then insert the collet jaws into the hole with the top plate flush against the hole bottom. Twist the chuck clockwise to secure the workpiece". No matter how long I twist the chuck or the workpiece, this will not tighten up... it remains loose. I managed to attach it OK in a previous failed piece, but no longer. Am I missing something here?
Thanks in advance for your time.

 

[Wildman]

Ulises, have no experience with that chuck. Are you drilling a 1 3/8" hole ¼ " to ½"?

I would use my scroll chuck with spigot jaws to hold blank drilled 1 3/8" x ¼ or ½ inch deep. Or use my other scroll chuck with #2 jaws to hold a waste block with tenon to proper size then hot glue blank on to finish turn, sand and apply finish.

 

[plantman]

Ulises; This may be a dumb question but, are you using both rod levers to tighten the chick?? Jim S

 

[plano_harry]

Yes, what Jim said.

 

[KBs Pensnmore]

Ulises; This may be a dumb question but, are you using both rod levers to tighten the chick?? Jim S

How do you tighten a "chick"?????:biggrin:
Kryn

 

[Grampy122]

Expanding Collet Chuck

I have one of these and it really works good. Make sure you expand the jaws enough so you have a snug fit when inserted into the hole you have drilled. then tighten it up to expand the jaws.

No tommy bars on this chuck.

 

[Ulises Victoria]

Thanks for all the answers. This is the chuck I'm talking about: the one in the left. There are no rods to use with it.

1-3/8" Expanding Collet Chuck 1" x 8 tpi at Penn State Industries

I will try what Grampy122 said.

 

[Ulises Victoria]

Seems like what Grampy122 said, was the correct answer. Thank you!

 

[plantman]

Sorry Ulises, I was looking at the wrong chuck. The chuck that you have is made to hold a very small range of hole sizes. If your hole is drilled to small, you can't get it on the collet, if a little to large, it won't tighten up. If you don't have a 3 or 4 jaw chuck, I would call PSI and see if you could return this one and get something like the Mini Grip C Series. This one comes with 3 sets of jaws and will hold objects from 7/8" inside to 4 3/8 outside. Jim S

 

[Paul in OKC]

I believe those have a little key in them. Looking at the picture. Make sure that has not slipped out of the 'notch'. If it has, then the center part of the chuck may not be turning and the jaws wont expand.

 

[Ulises Victoria]

Sorry Ulises, I was looking at the wrong chuck. The chuck that you have is made to hold a very small range of hole sizes. If your hole is drilled to small, you can't get it on the collet, if a little to large, it won't tighten up. If you don't have a 3 or 4 jaw chuck, I would call PSI and see if you could return this one and get something like the Mini Grip C Series. This one comes with 3 sets of jaws and will hold objects from 7/8" inside to 4 3/8 outside. Jim S

No chance to return it since it came as part of a kit that included everything but the wood to make 4 watches. The forstner bit I have is exactly the size needed for the hole to fit in the chuck.
Will check that Mini Grip C you mention, though. Thank you

 

[Paul in OKC]

I believe those have a little key in them. Looking at the picture. Make sure that has not slipped out of the 'notch'. If it has, then the center part of the chuck may not be turning and the jaws wont expand.

Also make sure that your work piece is not just slipping on the jaws.

 

[Ulises Victoria]

I believe those have a little key in them. Looking at the picture. Make sure that has not slipped out of the 'notch'. If it has, then the center part of the chuck may not be turning and the jaws wont expand.

Also make sure that your work piece is not just slipping on the jaws.

Thank you Paul... as a matter of fact that is exactly the problem: the piece just slips on the jaws without tightening. I'm doing what Grampy122 said: open the jaws so it requires a little effort for the hole to fit over the chuck. This seems to have worked so far. Here's my first. Bad photos... sorry.

 

[Grampy122]

Watch

Ulises, you did a really nice job on the watch. I know with that chuck it makes it easy to turn a watch or other small object. I can not remember where I bought them, but I have some replacement jaws that are a little larger. Have fun making watches.