Cutting tenons with compound arm

[TRS]

Hey folks, I'm posting this in tools and tooling because it's more about the process/use of the tool than the stem itself. I'm trying to have a go at cutting integral tenons. The problem I'm having is in the facing; I know the procedure and have managed to face rod stock a few times successfully with the facing bit. My last couple of tries though, the rod has been too long (I think) and unsteady so when the bit starts moving back towards the edge, the chuck lets go a bit and the rod goes askew. I've had some luck cutting the rod when a center is holding it from the other side, but then I'd have a nipple left over during the facing. I think my problem is that my 3 jaw chuck is too small (and cheap). There is no room through the center hole for the rod to go through. Does that sound right? Do I need to invest in a larger chuck so I can choke up the rod stock for facing and then move it out and use a live center on it for the turning? Thanks a lot for any info!

Tim

[Tyler]

Cheap chucks make for useless lathes.

[RadDavis]

I agree with Tyler. Your chuck shouldn't let go of the rod for any reason. If it does, something's wrong with your chuck.

Rad

[TRS]

Okay, thanks guys. I was suspicious of the chuck's integrity when I was buying it; I'm not normally the type to buy things on the cheap, but this had good reviews and whatnot (though not in regards to pipemaking ). I just got a self centering 4 jaw wood chuck, now i'll start looking to a better 3 jaw. Thanks again.

[KurtHuhn]

Or, depending on your lathe, grab a Collet chuck. For holding cylindrical stock, it's difficult to get any better than collets.