Topic said it all. I was wrapping a big fiberglass gaff and loosened up the jaws in my alps wrapper a little too much and they all fell out. They are numbered 1-3 and seem to each be configured slightly different. This tell me there is probably a specific way to put them back in. I've looked all over the net trying to find and answer. Anyone dealt with this before?

There is, in fact, a particular sequence as to how they need to go back in. This is common with any self-centering chuck. Call Batson Enterprises tomorrow and see if they know, or can provide you with the manufacturer's instruction sheet on re-assembly. It's not complicated but if you don't have the right sequence you'll drive yourself batty trying to get it together.

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I believe the sequence will be 1, 2, 3 going back in. The chuck may be numbered too but I don't think it matters which groove you start with, just start with #1 jaw.


Steve

Mitchell,
It is a pretty simple process.

The individual jaw locations are identical. However, for some chucks which have a limited amount of rotation, it is necessary to put the first jaw in the correct slot.

For other chucks the specific starting slot is not important.

However, to figure it out - you have the chuck in front of you with the jaws laid out in order. If there is a number on the jaws, it is self evident as to which jaw goes in first.

However, if there is not a number on the jaws, you need to turn each of the jaws upside down. You will see horizontal bars with curved ends on the underside of the jaws.
When you examine the jaws closely, you will see that each jaw has a different starting location along the length of the jaw on the back side of the jaw.
So, now you can place the jaws in order as follows.
The upside down jaw that has the cross bar closest to the center end of the jaw is jaw number one.
The upside down jaw that has the cross bar in between the number one jaw and the 3rd jaw is jaw number two.
The upside down jaw that has the first cross bar located the greatest distance from the center end is jaw number three.

So, now with all of the jaws in order, you can look into the face of the jaws and rotate the ring that makes the jaws tight. You will see what looks like a series of spiral threads on the face of the rotating disk . You will see where the spiral starts when rotating in the direction that makes the jaws tight and you can follow this particular spiral to the center of the chuck.

At any rate, if the center can continuously turn you can start in any slot with jaw number one.

But, if there is a limited amount of rotation on the chuck the chuck itself will typically have a number on the slot. If you have a chuck with a limited amount of rotation you want to rotate the disk so that the chuck would be fully open. Then, starting with jaw #1, insert it into slot number one - or if not numbered, insert the chuck into the slot where the spiral threads on the bottom of the chuck begins. i.e.with the first jaw started, you turn the disk so that the spiral just catches on the first disk. Then, rotate the disk 1/3rd of a turn, and insert jaw #1 in the next slot that now lines up with the beginning of the spiral. Finally, rotate the disk to just before it gets to the 3rd slot and insert the 3rd jaw so that as you continue to rotate the disk the spiral catches jaw number three.

Now, continue to rotate the disk and double check to see that all of the jaws close tightly at the center of the chuck. If not, back up and start again to get the misaligned jaw correct. If there is a locking ring on the chuck, then snap on the locking ring so that the chuck can not have the jaws come loose again.

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Here are some good videos on installing jaws in a chuck. In particular - look at the first three videos in the following link:
[www.youtube.com]

When looking at the chuck the numbers on the jaws increase in a counter-clock wise rotation. Should not matter which slot you start with.

Have fun