One of the trends of machining in recent years is the strict demands in the systematization of automatic manufacturing for high accuracy and productivity. The commencing of chatter vibration, however, not only makes these requirements harder to satisfy but also causes a serious change in the operation environment. Thus, the establishment of an objective method which can detect the commencement of chatter is the most important and urgent subject for the manufacturing world. In this paper, therefore, to suppress the chatter vibration in turning operation, an experiment is carried out with a specially designed chuck which has a high damping characteristic. To improve the damping capacity, a high-damping material is used for the top jaw of the chuck. The damping effects on chatter vibration are evaluated through theoretical and experimental procedures. Consequently, the applicable condition of a high damping jaw to gain the appropriate damping characteristic is clarified.