Dillon Introduces Brass Pie Jaws to Minimize Part Distortion in Machining Softer Alloys!
By Ashutosh Arora
Dillon Manufacturing Inc. has expanded its lineup of full-grip chuck jaws with the introduction of brass pie jaws engineered specifically to hold delicate, softer workpieces without marking, marring, or distorting the material. Designed for applications requiring gentle yet secure clamping, these brass jaws offer an ideal balance of grip strength and surface protection, making them valuable for machining components made from brass, bronze, aluminum, and other malleable alloys.
The brass pie jaws provide a full-contact gripping surface, maximizing friction while significantly reducing the risk of deforming thin-walled, soft, or precision-finished parts. Because brass is inherently softer than traditional jaw materials like steel, it allows for firm clamping without transferring unwanted impressions onto the workpiece surface. This combination of full-coverage grip and material softness helps manufacturers achieve better accuracy and improved surface integrity during high-speed or delicate machining operations.
Standard brass pie jaws are available in diameters up to 32 inches, with Dillon offering custom variations tailored to specific customer needs, including modified heights, diameters, and special configurations. Precision manufacturing ensures that serration locations are machined exactly perpendicular to the slots, improving alignment and contributing to consistent, repeatable clamping performance.
Dillon’s full-grip chuck jaws — including the new brass versions — are manufactured in the United States and built to meet the demands of industries requiring precision and reliability. The jaws are suitable for a wide range of machining operations such as boring, tapping, drilling, finishing, and other applications where both accuracy and surface care are essential. Their wrap-around design distributes gripping pressure more evenly across the entire workpiece, further reducing the potential for distortion compared to conventional jaw configurations.
Beyond brass, Dillon also offers full-grip pie jaws in multiple material options including 6061 aluminum, 1018 steel, and cast iron, allowing users to choose the best jaw material for their workholding needs. Both standard and custom designs are available across various serration styles, including serrated, tongue and groove serrated, Acme serrated, and square serrated formats.
With its brass pie jaws, Dillon provides machinists and manufacturers with a dependable solution for securely holding softer materials while maintaining part geometry and surface quality — a critical requirement in industries where precision and cosmetic appearance are paramount.
