Morse taper on a chuck

[Syncman]

Given a 3 jaw chuck, but it mounts on a #2 Morse taper. That seems pointless to me. The side pressure just loosens it.

 

[Dalboy]

That is an metal working chuck not for woodturning it fits onto a backplate via the three threaded holes you can see that in turn is normally fitted to the lathe by a thread.
The jaws on this chuck will not hold wood very secure as there is very little bearing surface for them to grip on(wood being able to compress) metal does not have the same problems as wood.

 

[Wildman]

if it fits on a 2mt it was probably used in a rotary table to hold small dia stuff for precision drilling

 

[Dalboy]

if it fits on a 2mt it was probably used in a rotary table to hold small dia stuff for precision drilling

And also used for that

 

[Fester]

Don't be in a hurry to dismiss this chuck.

The only chuck I have is a 2" 4 Jaw model very similar to the one in your picture.

For larger wood projects I use a mandrel (AKA M8 threaded rod) and can handle bigger pieces than you would expect for a chuck this size.





This box is 160mm (6.1/2" Diameter x 400mm High) all made with a 2" metal working chuck.



For smaller bits and bobs I tend to glue the workpiece to a sacrificial piece of pine.

This is a 40mm diameter half of a locket





If you were given this very versatile chuck for free I think you were very lucky and you should hang on to it.

Toodlepip

 

[Fergie 307]

Judging by the round bore in the face it's very probably a Pratt, so a good quality item. You just need an appropriate backplate to suit your machine.