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Geometric Chuck

Overview

2 Stage Geometric Chuck by Ibbetson

A Geometric Chuck (sometimes called an Epicycloidal Chuck) is used for cutting patterns made up of rolling centres.

Geometric Chuck
Image courtesy of Skinner, Inc. www.skinnerinc.com

Additional pictures of this device

Newer Geometric Chuck

5 Stage Geometric Chuck by Plant

Drawing of Plant's 5 Stage Geometric Chuck

Examples of this device in use

• This YouTube video from Chuck Bommarito (aka, outsidescrewball) shows a Leinhard Rose Geometric Chuck in use. The video is a bit long, but does show the chuck well, as well as a piece made on it.
• This YouTube video shows an Ibbetson Geometric Chuck on Holtzapffel rose engine lathe No. 1636.

Usage Notes

In Norman Tweddle’s book, The Rose Engine Lathe, there is a good discussion on the setup and use of this device.

How it works

Basically, it is achieved by rolling one object around another, forming a composite of two perfectly circular motions. The geometric mathematics behind this chuck's movement are explained by Dr. Frank Farris in his 1996 paper, "Wheels on Wheels on Wheels-Surprising Symmetry". There is also a nice article on this at Wolfram MathWorld.

Frank Dorion gave a lecture on the design and functions of a geometric chuck. He also built an oversized wooden model of one, helping to explain its function. This is one of the best overviews presented to date.

Notes on making one

3D Printed Geometric Chuck

A fella named Thomas posted instructions on Printables.com for 3D printing one.

A YouTube video about this piece in use is noted below.

More Information

Published Articles

• Designing 'Geo-Flowers' with a Geometric Chuck by Joshua Salesin. The Society of Ornamental Turners Bulletin 144, Spring, 2021, pg. 21
• Geometric Turning: The Manufacturer and Builder, by (unknown). Ornamental Turners International Newsletter, Volume 20, No. 1 - Spring, 2013, pg. 5
• Plant's Geometric Chuck, by (unknown). Ornamental Turners International Newsletter, Volume 25, No. 1 - Summer, 2018, pg. 19
• Plant's Geometric Chuck (parts I - IV), (1883). Published in “Amateur Mechanics”.
• Wheels on Wheels on Wheels - Surprising Symmetry (1986), by Frank A. Farris
• There is also an article about one in the "English Mechanic and Mirror of Science", Vol VII, No. 171 (03 July 1868).

Books and Papers

• A Brief Account of Ibbetson's Geometric Chuck Manufactured by Holtzapffel & Co. (1833), by John Holt Ibbetson, Esq.
• The Cycloid and All Forms of Cycloidal Curves and on the Use of such Curves in Dealing with the Motions of Planets, Comets, &c. and of Matter Projected from the Sun (1878), by Richard A Proctor.
• Engine Turning 1680-1980 (2017), by Martin Richard Matthews.
• Holtzapffel Volume 6 (2013), by John Edwards. John captured quite a bit about these devices here. You can get from the The Society of Ornamental Turners.

• Index to the Geometric Chuck: A Treatise Upon the Description, in the Lathe, of Simple and Compound Epitrochoidal or “Geometric” Curves (1875), by Thomas Sebastian Bazely, M.A..
• Patterns for Turning comprising Elliptical and other figures Cut on the Lathe Without the Use of Any Ornamental Chuck (1872), by H. W. Elphinstone.
• The Rose Engine Lathe (1951), by Norman Tweddle. This book has some great examples of this tool in use.
• Specimens in Eccentric Circular Turning with Practical Instructions for Producing Corresponding Pieces in the Art (1884), by John Holt Ibbetson.

Presentations

• Design and functions of a geometric chuck by Frank Dorion.
• Roy Lindley gave a demonstration to the club about geometric chuck patterns. The recording for this video is in the Ornamental Turners Int'l (OTI) member meeting videos, March 2023.
• 3D Printed Geometric Chuck (YouTube video) by PT.

Other

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