What does the 3 jaw lathe chuck hold on a centre lathe?

What does the 3 jaw lathe chuck hold on a centre lathe?

• A. Only square work
• B. Only hexagonal work
• C. Round and hexagonal work
• D. Cylindrical metal rods only

Answer: (C)

The three‑jaw self‑centering chuck grips by the outer diameter of the work and moves all jaws together in one motion. This design centers the piece on the spindle, so it works reliably with round stock. It can also hold hexagonal shapes, since the outer boundary of a hex piece fits inside the jaws and the three jaws clamp evenly to keep the piece true and centered. That’s why it’s suitable for both round and hexagonal work, not just cylindrical rods or a single shape. For square or other non-round shapes, a different chuck setup is usually needed to achieve true centering.

The three‑jaw self‑centering chuck grips by the outer diameter of the work and moves all jaws together in one motion. This design centers the piece on the spindle, so it works reliably with round stock. It can also hold hexagonal shapes, since the outer boundary of a hex piece fits inside the jaws and the three jaws clamp evenly to keep the piece true and centered. That’s why it’s suitable for both round and hexagonal work, not just cylindrical rods or a single shape. For square or other non-round shapes, a different chuck setup is usually needed to achieve true centering.