Vacuum Chucking

Vacuum chucking has become quite popular lately for holding turnings for various purposes. Unfortunately, even though I have one of the best lathes on the market today (and the best I think), vacuum chucking was not available to me, due to the solid headstock design of the Poolewood. That was then.

Now there is an option for virtually any lathe, regardless of size or configuration. Sierra Mold Corporation is proud to introduce the VacuuMaster Vacuum chuck. The VacuuMaster vacuum chuck will fit on any lathe, or transfer from lathe to lathe, by means of an adapter similar to those used by scroll chucks on the market today. This chuck has been designed so that all the works are forward of the headstock, in a self contained unit.

Vacuum chucking is a technology that can be effectively utilized by any turner with any lathe. It is not reserved for big expensive lathes with lots of horsepower. It is not only for unusual applications. It is for anyone who wants an alternative to conventional methods of chucking, and who wants to improve the quality of their work by improving their access to the piece being turned.

I have had the honor and privilege of testing the VacuuMaster prototype in my shop and advising the manufacturer on refinements to the prototype. Following are some pictures of the production model and some finished products. More pictures will follow as soon as I can get to them.



First is a shot of the chuck itself, with its current accessories. The chuck is in the lower right hand corner of the picture. Accessories include 3 1/2", 5', 8", and 10" bells, or drums, and 8" and 10" faceplates for user made fixtures.



Here is a closeup looking head on to the chuck. The bells or faceplates are attached by the four hex cap screws. There is a raised tenon in the center to aid in alignment and stability. The ring around the outside of the screws is a neoprene O-ring, which provides the seal betwen the chuck itself and the attached accessories. The hole labelled Vac Port is just that. It is where the air is evacuated. On the right side of the chuck you can see the quick connect fitting for the vacuum tubing.



Here is a view from the side, giving a better view of the tenon and O-ring.



The VacuuMaster is very compact. This enables you to keep your work as close to the headstock as possible, minimizing runout and vibration. Here is a size comparison. It is sitting next to my Oneway Talon. (NOTE: The VacuuMaster chuck is NOT affiliated in any way with Oneway Manufacturing)



Hre is the VacuuMaster mounted on my Poolewood Euro 2000. No attachment has been installed to give you a clear view of the working parts as set up to run. The vacuum tubing coming out from the side goes to a vacuum pump. The metal rod pointing straight down is a stop rod and is designed to prevent the vacuum chamber from rotating and breaking the tubing.



Another shot of the same setup with the 5" bell installed. The orange edging provides the seal between the bell and your work. It ain't pretty, but it has the benefit of being non marring and non marking. No one likes sanding black neoprene out of their freshly turned wood, so we wanted something that would not mark up the wood. this is it.



This is a shot of the chuck in use. The 8" bell has been installed, and is gripping a 14" cherry bowl for finishing off the bottom.



The same bowl as viewed from the "working end". It has been finished turned.

Following are a few pictures taken while turning with the prototype. The will give you some idea of the access to the bowl using this chuck.



This is a small Norway maple bowl. I am cleaning up and finishing off the bottom.



The same bowl after final cutting and sanding.

For more pictures, please go to Gallery 4. Most of the work there was finished off with the VacuuMaster or the VacuuMaster prototype. I will have noted those peices which weren't. Please feel free to write me with any questions. Very shortly I will have a page with specifications, prices, and ordering information. Email me!