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Paper Chuck

Overview

Home Made Paper Chuck

A Paper Chuck is used to hold a piece of paper so that an image of the rosette's final product can be visualized. The shape of the rosette may not be readily evident about the product it will produce, plus the other variables like the rubber's shape can change what the rosette produces.

A paper chuck is sometimes called a Tympan Chuck, especially in historical documents. A tympan is a tightly stretched sheet or membrane, as on the head of a drum. In this case though, the tympan is a piece of paper held by the chuck. Typically, the ones which are more nicely done are called Tympan Chucks. Frank Dorion's article shows a very professional design (see below).

A typical paper chuck is designed to hold an index card (e.g., 4" x 6"), and Lindow Machine Works makes a very nice one. Other sizes of paper can be used as shown in the home made paper chuck to the right.

Traditional Paper Chuck

Note: the traditional paper chuck can only be used to show the effects of rocking motion, not pumping motion. There have been some who have made a cylinder (e.g., using a plastic tube) and affixed paper to that. Such a device can indeed show pumping motion. There are some examples below

Additional pictures of this device

Paper Chuck - Simple, Yet Effective

Paper Chuck showing side pattern
Paper Chuck using an Acrylic Cylinder

Sources for buying one

• Lindow Machine Works

More Information

Published Articles

• The Design and Use of a Tympan Chuck by Frank Dorion. Ornamental Turners International Newsletter, Volume 29, No. 2 - December, 2022, pg. 25
• Making a Tympan Chuck by Ian Lane. The Society of Ornamental Turners Bulletin 142, Spring, 2020, pg. 23
• If you choose to make one
  • There is a good article, Make your Own Paper Chuck and Pen Holder, written by Dave Arnold. Ornamental Turners International Resources.
  • There is also a good article, A Simple Pen/Pencil Chuck, written by John Hermann. Ornamental Turners International Resources.

Presentations

• MDF Rose Engine Lathe : # 2 - Paper Chuck by Rich Colvin. YouTube Video
• Rose engine lathe paper chuck by Wes Pilley. YouTube Video