How to Properly Cut Lathe Soft Jaws — Part 2: ID Gripping, Re-cutting, and Adding a Taper

In the second of a two-part installment, a Haas certified machinist guides us through more advanced lathe soft jaw cutting/boring techniques, including ID gripping, re-cutting, and adding a taper to your soft jaws.

[Helmanjr]

Very informative video. Describes every detail even little ones very briefly.
Watch part 1 first to understand all the video clearly.

Haas has contributed a lot with just these two videos, I am sure they will continue this knowledge sharing process.

[madswinebbq]

I've been a Machinist going on 15 years and you'd be surprised the machinist that really don't know this. It's a shame but I must say these 2 videos are pretty damn good! I actually use an plunging indicator on top of the master jaw and zero it on top of travel ( you can do bottom too, doesn't matter) and I measure the total travel of the stroke as I close the Jaws and I divide the number in half and that's the number I look for when I clamp on a ring or pin or whatever.... Gets me in the center of the stroke every time! These videos are great, hope every one that runs a CNC lathe will take some notes! Happy Machining everybody!

[darlaandbunnies]

Most useful video for CNC beginners. The CNC technician works like a BOSS. Great.

[brendydekeyser]

I'm currently a student learning CNC.
I found this video very informative. Thank you!

[haasautomation]

Hello and thank you for the comments William Bradu - you raise some good issues. 

It could be argued that wearing a ring while loading parts or tools inside a CNC machine may pose a risk. However, with the rotating parts of the machine not accessible during operation the risk is much lower than when using an unenclosed manual machine. Use your best judgment when deciding what personal effects pose a risk while working inside the machine.
 
Haas does not recommend using the M19 spindle orient code to hold the spindle in position while tightening soft jaws. In this case you are working against the motor positioning circuit and it is not sufficiently stiff to reliably react to the high tightening torques.
 
If your machine is equipped with an optional C-axis the main spindle brake can be used to lock the spindle in place using M-code M14. We did not include this in the video since many Haas lathes do not ship with this option installed.
 
The operator should always exercise caution so they don’t slip and hit their hands when tightening the jaws with wrenches.
 
You are correct; the jaws should be completely deburred. A file, a deburr knife, or an air sander can all be used where appropriate for the jaw shape. We review grooving the base of the jaw bore and deburring the jaws in the 1st Soft Jaws video and we mention both the grooving and deburring steps again in video #2.
 
A chamfer can be added at the front lip of the jaws to aid part loading. We chose not show this; if the chamfer is cut too deep or you have a short grip height the chamfer will reduce your clamping surface area.
 
Thanks for the comments!

[DoctorF]

Those videos are really good!!
I missed such videos from the german and japanese machines our company is working with.

Thank's for that. 😁😊😍🤗

[Freetheworldnow]

The blueing tip is excellent.
You guys make top quality videos and tutorials!
Thank you for sharing so much.
GOD Bless.

[dmandd]

Just great tutorial, I like the way you are showing the possible mistakes with examples and numbers. Thank you Haas !

[THEJOEBECK]

These are some outstanding videos. I hope they become popular. You wouldn't believe the amount of "machinists" out there that don't understand the fundamentals. They think they're 1st class, but they can't even bore jaws correctly... Or even know what soft jaws are really for. SMH. But again, bravo. Nice work here, Haas. Production Management all over should thank you.

[milxl]

i just can't stop watching your videos

[VinhNguyen-crpt]

Why didn't I think about pie jaws? That is a very good idea. Thanks!

[haasautomation]

Thank you for the comment Keith, we are very happy that you enjoyed the video.

[mattaut]

never used boring rings. also had t-nuts standing out way further AND did parts with only 1 screw at each t-nut. absolutely no problem.

[GurvinderSingh-eqjv]

27 dislikes are probably from aliens. The content and information provided is so far the best i have ever seen on youtube. Hats off to Haas Automation's whole team. I wish to work with such an awesome company in the near future.

[jefverheyen]

Very good video with high resolution, very helpfull

[murattulgar]

thanks for these informative instructions

[KeithDDowning]

Very informative. A good, clear lesson. Thank you.

[haasautomation]

Hello 郁雯 蘇 and thank you for your interest. We have attached Chinese (Simplified) captions to both videos of the “How to Properly Cut Lathe Soft Jaws” series. Please click the closed caption button “(CC)” located in the bottom right of the YouTube video player and select “Chinese (Simplified).”

[haasautomation]

You are very welcome d3mandd, thank you for the great comment!

[haasautomation]

You are very welcome Zenjoksss, thank you for the comment.