Cheap setting rings for turning soft jaws
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2022 3:58 pm
Like most hobbyist, I have a smaller lathe with a 6" chuck. When I've got soft jaws mounted, I'm always searching for something to clamp down on to bore the jaws. I have looked at setting rings; Eagle Rock seems to make the most common set of 48 rings from 1" to 3-15/16" by 1/16" for around $350. On my 6" chuck with a minimum of two scroll threads in the jaws, my largest diameter is only 3" on the master jaws.
So, the largest rings in the Eagle Rock set would be wasted. Instead of the full 48 ring set from Eagle Rock, you can also buy a smaller 16 piece set that goes from 1" to 1-15/16" that would be a better fit for 4", 5" and 6" lathe chucks. However it's still around $150.
I was doing some motor work with a friend today and he had a set of Snap-On bushing drivers. To me, they looked like setting rings. Problem was the Snap-on name cost you dearly. A quick search on eBay turned up these:
52 "setting rings" from 0.7" to 2.6" by 0.04" and a 2.9" ring as well. All of these rings for $50! It even includes a little handle to help you hold the rings towards the back of the master jaws while closing down on it. And, the 3/64" increments will make the soft jaws last a little longer.
Search for "52 bushing driver set" on eBay and choose from the hundreds of vendors selling these.
So, the largest rings in the Eagle Rock set would be wasted. Instead of the full 48 ring set from Eagle Rock, you can also buy a smaller 16 piece set that goes from 1" to 1-15/16" that would be a better fit for 4", 5" and 6" lathe chucks. However it's still around $150.
I was doing some motor work with a friend today and he had a set of Snap-On bushing drivers. To me, they looked like setting rings. Problem was the Snap-on name cost you dearly. A quick search on eBay turned up these:
Search for "52 bushing driver set" on eBay and choose from the hundreds of vendors selling these.