I recently sampled a keyless chuck from Jacobs Chuck that can be retrofitted easily to most drill presses. Jacobs sells several models, but the one that is appropriate for a drill press of 1/2 hp or less is model JK-130. Once you use it, you’ll appreciate the speed with which you can change bits. The JK-130 medium-duty industrial chuck holds bits securely, yet it is easy to loosen by hand.

Before installation, I measured the runout on my old, imported chuck and was surprised by the reading—a whopping 0.020 in. With the new chuck in place, runout was only 0.004 in. (measured 2 in. from the tip of the jaws, using a machined-steel test rod), a huge improvement. That low number translates to more accurate holes and less vibration when drilling.

The JK-130 keyless chuck, which has a 1/2-in.-dia. bit capacity. Before ordering, you’ll need to determine the type of taper fitting on your existing chuck (see the owner’s manual or contact the drill-press manufacturer).

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