Abstract: An anti-centrifugal power chuck of the type having a plurality of radially-movable jaws and respective wedge-like actuators associated therewith for the purpose of displacing the jaws into engagement with a workpiece for holding same as the chuck is rotated at high speeds is designed to resist the centrifugal forces which are applied at high rotational speeds to a significantly greater degree than has been previously obtainable and which will reduce problems of binding and wear associated with the use of wedge-type actuators, without compromising strength. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a single, massive, unitary body member is utilized for both radially-movably supporting and guiding a plurality of gripping jaws and for receiving, within complementarily-shaped bores, the respective wedge-like actuators, which actuators and the actuation system therefor have been modified to operate under compression instead of tension for external gripping of workpieces.