[rgarrett7]

I have the HF 8x12 lathe. It comes with a 4" 3 Jaw chuck. The specs say the jaws are reversible. So far, I have not been able to figure out how to do that. I can take the jaws out of the chuck with no problem. However, if I flip them over so that I can chuck larger pieces, the grooves in the jaws are going in the wrong direction to engage the spiral scroll in the chuck head.

There must be something obvious I am missing ...

[cornbinder23]

Did you get it new? My 11x26 says the same but it actually is an extra set included in the tool kit that is the reversible jaws.

JTCUSTOMS

[rgarrett7]

Yes, I did purchase it new. However, it is not out of the question they could have made a mistake in what they packed. There is one extra jaw, but it is a replica of a jaw I have already.

Unfortunately, I have had the lathe for over a year, so I doubt they would be willing to correct a mistake now.

So, reversible jaws actually means two sets of jaws that you can change out?

If so, I probably need something like the outside jaws from LMS:
LittleMachineShop.com - Jaws, Outside for 4" 3-Jaw Chuck

[rgarrett7]

Based on this tip, I looked closely at the owners manual. Sure enough, buried down in the parts list it says, "3 reverse jaws for chuck". I am guessing these are the parts they missed packing. I will scour my lathe toolbox closely, but I don't remember ever seeing these.

[eartaker]

Every 3 jaw chuck I have owned has came with inner and outer jaws.... or so called reversible jaws. It should have came with a set for clamping to the inside of a part and a set for clamping to the outside of a part.

[cornbinder23]

Every 3 jaw chuck I have owned has came with inner and outer jaws.... or so called reversible jaws. It should have came with a set for clamping to the inside of a part and a set for clamping to the outside of a part.

The chuck on my 14x40 has reversible jaws that actually just unbolt and flip then re-install so no extra set to lose

JTCUSTOMS

[eartaker]

My 4 jaw is like that but how is that even possible on a 3 Jaw? Does it use a scroll?

[cornbinder23]

Yes it is a scroll but the jaws are bolted to the inserts for the scroll
they have 2 bolts that bolt through the face of the jaw and are keyed to the insert just unbolt and flip
similar to this one but larger http://cdn8.grizzly.com/pics/jpeg1000/s/sb1310.jpg

JTCUSTOMS

[eartaker]

Ahhh, my dads South Bend is like this.

[rgarrett7]

Sure enough, down at the bottom of my parts bin are the 3 outside jaws. I did not realize what they were when I first unpacked the lathe and eventually I forgot all about them. Nothing is so obvious that it cannot be a mystery to a beginner. I think "interchangeable" or would be a better term than "reversible".

Anyway, many thanks to everyone for the clarification!

[pratt burnerd]

I have the HF 8x12 lathe. It comes with a 4" 3 Jaw chuck. The specs say the jaws are reversible. So far, I have not been able to figure out how to do that. I can take the jaws out of the chuck with no problem. However, if I flip them over so that I can chuck larger pieces, the grooves in the jaws are going in the wrong direction to engage the spiral scroll in the chuck head.

There must be something obvious I am missing ...

Your manual says "reverse jaws" not reversable. this is a Asia term from the forward and reverse jaws as opposed to the european insdie and outside term