A method of dialing a workpiece having an axis into a chuck includes providing a chuck assembly having a plurality of independent hydraulically controlled jaws distributed about a central axis, each jaw having first and second hydraulic chambers. The method further includes the steps of inserting a portion of the workpiece into the chuck assembly, pumping hydraulic fluid uniformly into each of the first chambers until the jaws are substantially touching the perimeter of the workpiece, and adjusting one or more of the jaws to align the axis of the workpiece with the central axis of the chuck assembly by pumping hydraulic fluid into at least one of the chambers of at least one of the jaws. The method also includes the step of pumping hydraulic fluid uniformly into each of the first chambers until the jaws are clamped around the perimeter of the workpiece at a predetermined pressure.