Anybody using the Nova Cole Jaws or How to get a smooth bottom?

with a smooth bottom.

You've got to figure at least an inch from the inside of the outside button to the ways of the lathe. If you have a 10" swing, the maximum bowl rim diameter will be no more than 9" and probably more like 8".

Another thing about cole jaws: If you have your tool rest parallel to the bottom of the bowl and the bowl starts slipping out of the jaws, it will catch between the jaws and the tool rest and become an instant projectile. DAMHIKT.

I fooled around with mine for 3 or 4 years before I got me a vacuum pump and started vacuum chucking and have never had one leave the chuck since. Other than the pump you can cobble the rest of the system together. My headstock shaft is hollow so on the bowl end it required a faceplate, a rubber plumbing washer, a disk of 3/4" MDF and facing for the disk is a sheet of foam from Hobby Lobby, glued on with spray glue. My lathe swing is 15" and my largest disk is 14 7/8" and it will accommodate a bowl of the same diameter.

If interested check Bill Noble's site at

I can't tell if those are the mini or the standard (Nova makes both). The standard are too large, the mini fits

That being said, either set only clamps down at 8 points, while the donut has a more secure hold.

There is another option., You take the mini-jaws and add a wood addition to them, that is to say you add machinable jaw set to the cole-jaws. I used maple that was about 2x6.

When finished you machine a perfect fit recess into the wood jaws and clamp the bowl with those. If the fit is right, you have a continuous clamp all the way around the rim of the bowl. Although I would also bring the tail stock up for the majority of the turning off the tenon.

I like the idea of the machinable jaws. Also the OP talked about a bottom recess rather than a tenon. I guess a blunt tailstock support could be used in this case, though. I have used a 1" diameter disk with a hole for the point for something like this.

Remember they can expand just like they compress.

The rubber / plastic disks (I have a set but forget it has been so long) - press on the inner side of the lip of the bowl so the foot can be cut and beautified.

The jaws are soft Aluminum and can be easily cut back by hand or by a machinist.

Mart> Good morning,

with a smooth bottom.

I shamelessly stole that idea from Dale Larson (current AAW President), I have no idea who he stole if from

"Everything of value I do I learned from someone else" Eli Aviseria

Take a look at this. You can make it yourself to ensure the max size that will fit your lathe. And it's easier to move the rubber stoppers.

That looks nice, but with the adjustments - it would be great for odd shaped items that need a foot. - The independence of each holder does that - clamp a triangular chunk. ....

The cole is self center> Take a look at this. You can make it yourself to ensure the max size

Good idea. The problem with a point on the tailstock is that it acts as a wedge and can easily split the piece when tightened.

I'll Echo what a few have said here.. I spent big bucks (for me, at the time) for the Oneway jumbo jaws.. Didn't like 'em..

Finally put together a vacuum chucking system out of used parts and shop-made chucks and never looked back..

Not buying the Jumbo Jaws would have paid for half of my vacuum system..

with a smooth bottom.

I use the Cole jaws regularly on my Myford Mystro lathe which has an eleven inch swing.

I think you should be O.K on your lathe. I have been using these jaws for about three years and can only remember one occasion when the bowl came off. That was because I got a rather heavy catch and the damage from the catch was worse than the small scratches from the bowl catching the toolrest.

Tom.

I'll Echo what a few have said here.. I spent big bucks (for me, at the time) for the Oneway jumbo jaws.. Didn't like 'em..

Finally put together a vacuum chucking system out of used parts and shop-made chucks and never looked back..

Not buying the Jumbo Jaws would have paid for half of my vacuum system..