3.1″ 4-Jaw Independent Chuck – 3/4-16 Thread
Includes hex key, not pictured
These chucks have four advantages over 3-jaw chucks.
- They can be used to hold irregularly shaped parts.
- They can be used to center parts with a great deal of accuracy.
- 4-jaw chucks can be used to deliberately hold a part off-center.
- They can clamp stock tighter.
This is a valuable asset when machining cams, crankshafts and similar parts. The main disadvantage of the 4-jaw independent chuck is that the jaws must be set individually, adding considerable setup time. The jaws are reversible to accommodate larger stock.
NOTE: The independent chucks don’t have Tommy bar holes like the scroll chucks because most people use the 5/32″ hex wrench into one of the jaw screws to thread the chuck on and off. Our P/N 3020 5/32″ Hex T-Driver works perfectly.
Like the Sherline 3-jaw chucks, the 4-jaw chucks can be used to clamp either externally or internally. Although we recommend the 3-jaw chuck for standard lathe projects, the 4-jaw chuck is considered the accessory that could add the most versatility to your machine. A clamping groove allows the chuck to hold parts for milling.
Jaw Options
- For those who have jobs where speed and ease of use are more important than maximum accuracy and want a chuck that is loose right from the start (No extra charge).
Add the note “loose jaws” to the comments box below - Soft (not hardened or machined) steel jaws are also available when you build your own chuck.
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| Chuck Diameter | 3.1″ |
|---|---|
| Jaw Capacity | With jaws in normal position: 3/32″ (2mm) – 1-1/2″ (38mm)
With jaws in reverse position: 5/16″ (8mm) – 2-3/4″ (70mm) |
| Through Hole Diameter | .687″ (17mm) |
| Thread Size | 3/4-16 (other sizes available in 2.5″ diameter) |
| Chuck Body Material | 12L14 Steel |
| Chuck Jaws Material | 12L14 Case Hardened Steel |
| Part No. | Description | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 10301 | 3.1″ 4-Jaw Independent Chuck Body 3/4-16 Thread *Not sold separately | 1 |
| 11451 | 4-Jaw Independent Chuck Jaw* | 4 |
| 11460 | 4-Jaw Independent Chuck Screws (Set of 4) | 1 |
| 40550 | 5/32″ Hex Key | 1 |
*Because chuck master jaws are factory ground to precisely match each chuck body you must send your chuck back to us to be fitted with new master jaws. Please contact us for instructions on how to return your chuck.
Click the P/Ns below to download a zipped version of the IGS 3D CAD file. You will need to extract the zip file before viewing the IGS file.
1030 4-Jaw Independent Chuck 3D IGS model
You need an IGS viewer to view .igs files. CLICK HERE to download a FREE IGS viewer.
Related products
- They can be used to hold irregularly shaped parts
- They can be used to center parts with a great deal of accuracy
- 4-jaw chucks can be used to deliberately hold a part off-center
- They can clamp stock tighter
- For those who have jobs where speed and ease of use are more important than maximum accuracy and want a chuck that is loose right from the start (No extra charge). Add the note “loose jaws” to the comments box below
- Soft (not hardened or machined) steel jaws are also available when you build your own chuck.
-
If you prefer jaws with a looser fit for faster operation (where maximum accuracy isn’t critical), add a note requesting “loose jaws” below.
-
Soft steel jaws (unhardened and unmachined) are also available when building your own chuck|
- Ductile plating with columnar structure
- Harder than any other nickel-based coating
- Coating uniformity that eliminates post-plate grinding (or burnishing)
- Wear properties overall superior to hard chromium
- Hardness (68-72 Rc)
- Low coefficient of friction (.044) Teflon™ is .04
- Uniform coating thickness up to .004”
- Accepts dry film lubricants
- For those who have jobs where speed and ease of use are more important than maximum accuracy and want a chuck that is loose right from the start (No extra charge). Add the note “loose jaws” to the comments box below
- Soft (not hardened or machined) steel jaws are also available when you build your own chuck.


1/4″ Drill Chuck with 2 Arbors
A drill chuck is probably the most important accessory you will need for your lathe. It will enable you to accurately centerline drill, ream, or tap any part mounted on the lathe. The part to be machined is chuck or collet mounted in the headstock. The tool is mounted in the tailstock chuck and fed into the part using the tailstock ram feed. Parts that are going to be mounted between centers can be center drilled this way. Other parts requiring a hole accurately drilled on-center can also be machined this way.
The Sherline tailstock chuck is a precision 3/32" (2.4 mm) to 1/4" (6.4 mm) 3-jaw chuck complete with key. The chuck is fitted with a #0 Morse arbor for use in the tailstock. Also included is a #1 Morse arbor and drawbolt so the chuck can be used in the lathe or mill headstock as well.
NOTE: If runout of less than .003″ amount is required, collets should be used to hold the drill rather than a chuck.

2.5″ 4-Jaw Independent Chucks – Various Thread
Includes hex key, not pictured
These chucks have four advantages over 3-jaw chucks.
This is a valuable asset when machining cams, crankshafts, and similar parts. The main disadvantage of the 4-jaw independent chuck is that the jaws must be set individually, adding considerable setup time. The jaws are reversible to accommodate larger stock.
NOTE: The independent chucks don't have Tommy bar holes like the scroll chucks because most people use the 5/32" hex wrench into one of the jaw screws to thread the chuck on and off. Our P/N 3020 5/32" Hex T-Driver works perfectly.
Like the Sherline 3-jaw chucks, the 4-jaw chucks can clamp either externally or internally. Although we recommend the 3-jaw chuck for standard lathe projects, the 4-jaw chuck is considered the accessory that could add the most versatility to your machine. If you feel the 4-jaw chuck would be more useful, and you have no need for the 3-jaw chuck, any lathe “A” package can be ordered with the 4-jaw chuck substituted for the 3-jaw upon request. A clamping groove allows the chuck to hold parts for milling.
Chucks for Sherline and Other LathesThe chuck is available in several spindle threads for use on Sherline (3/4-16) and other machines, such as old Unimat lathes (12 mm x 1 mm and 14 mm x 1 mm) or Sears 6" lathes (1/2-20). *Please note that chucks with a thread size other than 3/4″ x 16 are made to order and have a lead time of 5-7 business days.
Jaw Options

3.1″ 3-Jaw Chuck
This larger chuck takes up no more center-to-center space than the 2.5" chuck, but it will hold larger work. It has a clamping range of 3/32" (2 mm) up to 1-1/2" (38 mm) diameter with the jaws in the normal position. With the jaws in the reversed position, work up to 3-1/4" (82.5mm) can be gripped. The hole through the chuck is .687" (17 mm). Rotating the knurled ring closes all three jaws simultaneously to grip round or hexagonal stock quickly. Tommy bars (provided) are used in the side holes to tighten and loosen the chuck for more leverage. The chuck has a 3/4-16 thread to fit Sherline's spindle.
Jaw Options


3.1″ 3-Jaw Chuck – Electroless Nickel Coated
This chuck is identical to P/N 1040 except for an electroless Nickel coating that has been applied to help prevent wear and corrosion. This special coating has been applied to all external and internal surfaces of the chuck (except for chuck jaws), significantly improving the life of the chuck. This chuck also opens and closes more smoothly due to the lubrication properties of Nickel-Teflon.
Some of our customers have been wondering how to tell the difference between our standard chucks and those that have the electroless Nickel coating. Standard chucks have darker markings than the coated chucks (See Figure 1. Click on photo to view a larger image).
[caption id="attachment_4231" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Figure 1—Examples: (Left) 1040 3-Jaw Chuck (3.1″), (Right) 1040C Electroless Nickel Coated 3-Jaw Chuck (3.1″).[/caption]
Here, at Sherline Products, each of our chucks is laser engraved with a company mark, chuck size, and jaw location. During the laser marking process the laser removes a bit of the surface and darkens the material below (Figure 1, left). When chucks are sent out to receive the Nickel-Teflon finish the coating process changes the dark engraved markings to a noticeably lighter finish (Figure 1, right).
There is also a subtle change in the color of the chuck, but in the absence of being able to compare them side by side, the most evident way to tell whether you have a coated chuck, or not, is to check the color of the laser markings.




