a method of repairing a drill pipe having first and second connector ends , each of the first and second connectors ends including a threaded portion and sealing portions , with a lathe having a chuck with longitudinally spaced first and second sets of jaws , the method comprising the steps of mounting the drill pipe in a lathe , gripping the first connector end of the drill pipe with each of the first and second sets of jaws , orienting the first connector end by manipulation of the first and second sets of jaws into a working position ; and rotating the drilling pipe against a working tool to machine the threaded portion and sealing portion of the first connector end and produce a new threaded portion and sealing portion of the first connector end . a lathe with longitudinally spaced first and second sets of jaws is also disclosed . a device for positioning of subsequent workpieces without repeating alignment steps is also disclosed .