Buck Adjust Tru 6 Jaw Question

[NickB1075]

I purchased a Buck 6 Jaw adjust tru chuck for use on my heavy ten. I am having a very difficult time adjusting it and it take a long time for me to get It adjusted within .002" but I have yet to adjust it less then that.
I have been using a two spiders (front and rear) and have become comfortable and fairly proficient in adjusting to +/- .0005 and sometimes better(still a lot of practicing to do). I am seeking some ideas/ tips / maybe someone could give me an order of operation for this tool. I have found very limited information about the use of this chuck. I have heard often that this chuck is very accurate and easy to use but I am experiencing some difficulty. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks
Nick

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Are you loosening the bolts on the front?

 

[NickB1075]

Yes, I have tried both sets of six, both independently as well as both sets all loose together.

 

[Gottschall]

Nickb1075, If this is a brand new chuck you will need to take a truing cut on the back plate. This will get the chuck in line with your lathe bearings. Also try to mark it so you can put it back on to the same place each time. Jeff

 

[Dusty Stevens]

They need to be snug not loose. Touching in the back to keep tension where it slides and not jumps. When adjusting the set tru bolts you should feel the chuck kinda slide off center. Try loosening all the outer set tru bolts then tighten one at a time making sure the chuck slides ok and is not loose or jerky. And do like jeff said if you didnt true up the back plate

 

[shortgrass]

Nickb1075, If this is a brand new chuck you will need to take a truing cut on the back plate. This will get the chuck in line with your lathe bearings. Also try to mark it so you can put it back on to the same place each time. Jeff

This ^^^^^^^^ is excellent advise! One of those things I learned over 40 years ago,,,,, one of the "basics". "direct mount" chucks are fine for production work and convenient, but for 'tool room' work I always like a flat back chuck mounted to a 'trued' back plate.

 

[NickB1075]

No the Chuck is not new. But the first thing I did after purchase was to strip it down and clean the Chuck as well as make the truing cut.

I think Dustys advice is spot on. I think I was loosening the bolts to much. The Chuck was not sliding properly. I tried with them just barely loose and I was able to bring the Chuck further into alignment then I was able to previously.

Thanks for all the replys. Hopefully my operator error is to blame.

Thanks again
Nick

 

[GNERGY]

Put a little Anti Seize between the chuck and the backing plate so you will be able to keep it tight and it will still adjust smooth and easy.
I got the suggestions on practical machinist when I was searching about mine.
Tarey

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Thats a great idea tarey. I use a sticky mystik grease on mine but forgot all about it til then. Some things are just second nature i guess

 

[NickB1075]

That is a great idea with the anti seize. I will deffinetly do that.

Nick