3 jaw chuck for rotary

[Jeff]

So we have a new Koma rotary with our new VMC, and the 15" 3 jaw we got with it is absolute trash.
It's a Pratt Burnerd (offbrand Atlas) EZ set 15. The 3 jaws were not alike, making the runout when flipping the jaws around at least .03". Face runout was .003"-.008".
Fucking garbage. Had our vmc dealer send it back and Atlas checked it out and said it was within spec.
Welp, they can keep it and we are looking for a different one that doesn't suck.
Never had issues with PB chucks in the past.

What chucks do you guys recommend? Schunk 15" is $10k and out of the question.

Kitagawa, Samchully, Bison, etc... SMW Autoblok is up there in price too I think?.

Looking for maybe $5k max budget and obviously well built.

15-16" 3 jaw.

[crazy^millman]

Why do you need a chuck? You can hold round parts all kinds of ways when needed and yes a 3 Jaw Chuck is the easiest, but if $10k is out fo the budget then spend $100k making fixtures to holds all the parts. Show management all the money and time wasted doing that process after one year trying to save the $10k and then maybe they will wise up and spend the $10k after wasting a $100k. Jeff sorry, but it drives me up the wall the cheap crap management and owners pull in situations like this.

[mayday]

make your own soft jaws, factory hard jaws most always suck

[Jeff]

Why do you need a chuck?

Most of our 4 axis work is shafts. Keyways, cross holes, etc...
A 3 jaw is the perfect workholding solution. On our other rotaries, we have 8" 3 jaws and no issues.
Plus being a job shop, we'd have to make way too many fixtures for every job that comes along.

Typical 15" 3 jaw chucks are around the $3k-$5k range, but the Schunk is obviously on a different plane when it comes to quality. And after looking at them a bit more I don't think the quick change style would have the clamping range that we need. We'd need to have the ability to go down to 1" dia or so if the other rotaries are booked.

[Jeff]

make your own soft jaws, factory hard jaws most always suck

We do when we need to.

[mayday]

tell em to buy a good mill/turn machine

[Jeff]

tell em to buy a good mill/turn machine

Right, just tell them that the $250k we just spent is a boat anchor and to spend a million or more on a mill/turn that can swing 19" diameter and 80" between centers.
I'm sure they will go right out and do it.

Guys, we are a small job shop, we don't have a multi million dollar budget like your big aerospace shops.

[crazy^millman]

Look to a Royal System then.

Quick Grip System

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mbuqt8g1csp5qf7/Royal%20Quick%20Grip%203%20Parts.png?dl=0

Accur Length

You can use the emergency collets and cut custom shapes real easy with them.

[mayday]

we don't have a multi million dollar budget like your big aerospace shops

want to work for one in Saginaw? I'll fix you right up

[Jeff]

Look to a Royal System then.

Quick Grip System

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mbuqt8g1csp5qf7/Royal%20Quick%20Grip%203%20Parts.png?dl=0

Accur Length

You can use the emergency collets and cut custom shapes real easy with them.

I need to grip up to 18" diameter....

[Jeff]

want to work for one in Saginaw? I'll fix you right up

LOL
I have a 2 mile commute right now because I hate traffic.
Besides, I love my position here. No stress and can basically do what I want.

[crazy^millman]

I need to grip up to 18" diameter....

Then you are on the right track with what you threw out there as choices.

[Matthew Hajicek]

Look to a Royal System then.

Quick Grip System

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mbuqt8g1csp5qf7/Royal%20Quick%20Grip%203%20Parts.png?dl=0

Accur Length

You can use the emergency collets and cut custom shapes real easy with them.

Those look pretty sweet, but that price!  I know, if the application is right it'll pay for them, but I'm not there...

[Jeff]

they were all cock on.

I'm not even gonna ask why you had cocks on your chucks.

 

[mayday]

I'm not even gonna ask why you had cocks on your chucks.

 

must be a Minnie chuck