I bought a central machinery mortiser at a auction an didn’t realize until I got home that I didn’t have the chuck key. I bought a key for a 3/8″ chuck and it fits the hole but comes up short of hitting the gears. Is there such a thing as a metric chuck key? Anybody know where I can get a key for this thing?
Wayne
Replies
Wayne,
Is it possible that you need a key for a 1/2" chuck? I've never heard of a metric key. Of course, the gears should mesh well - the key that you have definitely sounds too small.
and www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com)
- Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
There are about a dozen different standard key sizes, and a 3/8" chuck could use any one of about three sizes, and who knows what might come on a low end Asian import. Take the key that doesn't fit to a good hardware store and see if you can find a key that is bigger in the right places.
Shop Manager for FWW Magazine, 1998 to 2007
Go to Harbor Freight and check out a four-in-one chuck-key that they sell. While you are there, check and see WHAT key they use on the machine, since they also sell this machine.
I was there a couple of weeks ago and had one in my hand to by but they couldn't get their cahsiers to work. So no sale. I tought that was the way to go. This chuck has more space btw the hole and the gears than the Jacob key I have. I'll keep looking.
Wayne
McMaster-Carr has an excellent selection of chuck keys.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#drill-chuck-keys/=3ww5ff
Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans.
When your ship comes in... make sure you are not at the airport.
The closest I ever got to brilliance was putting one of these magnetshttp://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2001139/3398/Magnets--245mm-Diameter-x-3mm-Thick--(6).aspxon the column of my big drill press to stick the locating end of the chuck key onto. Note I use the large diameter mag 1 " and the column is large diameter so the mag likes to stay on the column and never comes off with the key.I know, I know dangerous. It is just not me to put a key in a chuck and let go of it. I have used drill presses for 25 years and have developed a staunch habit of keeping the key in my hand or stored ( never sitting in the chuck ) so I like it better than a chain and can not stand the spring ejecting keys.Your results may vary.rocGive me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )
Roc,I don't do much metalwork, but I really like my 1/2" keyless chuck on my drill press. I'll never go back. Quite possibly the best $40 ever spent.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodworks.com and http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com)
- Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
>best $40 ever spent.<Yes they are very nice ! Back in the day one couldn't be had for less than ~ $200 ! I am leery of the inexpensive ones. Sounds like my fears are unfounded.If I buy a new dial indicator I will probably spend over a hundred dollars and get a Starrett just because that is how much a "good one" used to cost and I can't ( in my old fashioned mind ) trust the $29 ones.Also in the case of Starrett ( not the chuck ) I want to keep Starrett going and support one of the last US fine tool makers.With metal work ( my main thing ) the bit can slip if not very tight. It is easier to torque down a bit for metal working with a chuck key than a quick chuck ergonomically speaking. I have not spent much time with quality quick chucks except on top quality hand drills where they work very well though they have a quill lock to keep the chuck from turning while cranking away on the chuck's lock collar. My drill press doesn't have that so two fists on one chuck gets a bit cramped up if working at it for long periods.Usually the quick cool guy method here would be a collet chuck or dedicated tool holders.http://www.vdiholder.ca/category.php?id=L20000046&name=CNC+Back+Locking+Collet+Holderout side my league just posted cause I find this stuff interesting.I have always wanted a nice big keyless chuck like you have.rocGive me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )
Rocky,
I think you are behind the times when you say
"If I buy a new dial indicator I will probably spend over a hundred dollars and get a Starrett just because that is how much a "good one" used to cost and I can't ( in my old fashioned mind ) trust the $29 ones.Also in the case of Starrett ( not the chuck ) I want to keep Starrett going and support one of the last US fine tool makers".------Quite a nice Starret DTI can be had here (NZ) for NZ$49.75-this is model 3025-481 which is 10mm travel in .01mm increments-and it is made in China. The mini magnetic base with 3 pivots controlled by one screw costs NZ$80 and it is made in China....
I got the mag base, which had some faults-easily fixed and I think it is good value, but on the basis of that I did not get the Starrett dti but got Mitutoyo at greater cost- but have never regretted buying any Mitutoyo stuff and that includes digital calipers and micrometer-after trying "other stuff".
Just in passing: a good keyless grips tighter than a keyed chuck-but costs much more-trust me on that.Philip Marcou
Hi Philip,Daahhh. I was having a "senior moment " I meant a dial caliper ( when I wrote dial indicator )
No. 120M $150 athttp://www.mytoolstore.com/starrett/slcal002.htmlThe made in China part of your comment is what I was talking about. I hate to support China made products. Partly because of the way they treat their neighbor Tibetans and mostly to support tools actually made in the USA. I picture the US being a country entirely made up of accountants and shipping agents. A sad state since we used to be a leader in fine craftsmanship. Yah it has been a while but I am still hitting it long after the patient has died. What can I say. There is a document put out by Starrett called The Starrett Story. Tells how they invented and produced the first adjustable squares. Then grew the company from there. They seem to treat their employees with dignity at least back in the hight of the Starrett company. As far as a dial indicator goes ( yes the thing you were thinking I meant )
I have always coveted one of these Last Word No 711M series $125http://www.mytoolstore.com/starrett/test04.htmlYes the Mitutoyo stuff is excellent I have several items I like quite a lot. You are right there.You foresee problems for the owner's of the inexpensive keyless chucks ? Or OK for wood but not for precision metal work.rocGive me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )
Edited 10/10/2009 5:06 am by roc
"You foresee problems for the owner's of the inexpensive keyless chucks ? Or OK for wood but not for precision metal work"
It seems to me that there are 3 levels of keyless:
The junky ones usually fitted to cordless drills, made by Jacobs no less, and they all use them , even DeWalt, although they also seem to fit better ones to different models.
Better ones for use on woodworking /diy drill presses, home mechanics etc and
The best ones, industrial grade.
The first mentioned is the one to avoid....
Looking at that Starrett "Last Word": I must have an antique then- I will show a picture tomorrow if you are still interested, and I can remember to do it.
Philip Marcou
> still interested<Yes I am interested in anything old Starrett.thanksrocGive me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )
Roc, for your interest.
One Last Word in case and one #196 in box. The #196 has different size feet good for skipping over mouths (;).Philip Marcou
Ahhh that is enlightening. H. A. Lowe co hmmmm; Starrett bought the company ?Anyone else reading this:note the first gauge reads in both directions, clockwise and anticlockwise. This comes in handy.>feet good for skipping over gaps<I have a roller foot for one of my present dial indicators that comes in handy for this.An example is
Truing brake rotors on a mountain bike. if I make a mistake and get too close to the openings in the rotor. Other wise very traumatic for the gauge.http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/fix/diskrotortrue.htmThank you Philip ! You have all the good stuff.PS: " survey tool " I hadn't heard indicators called that before.rocGive me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )
Edited 10/11/2009 4:58 pm by roc
"a good keyless grips tighter than a keyed chuck-but costs much more-trust me on that."That surprises me. How much do these amazing chucks cost? My new-ish Bosch drill has a ratcheting chuck which is easy to get really tight with only one hand on the chuck. I don't know if they are available for drill presses and such yet - the spindle would have to lock somehow, otherwise you are just turning the works instead of tightening the chuck.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodworks.com and http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com)
- Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
"I don't know if they are available for drill presses and such yet - the spindle would have to lock somehow, otherwise you are just turning the works instead of tightening the chuck"
They have been available for years but as pointed out they are overkill for ordinary use-though if one comes across a used one in good order it is a good deal.
They don't require much torque to tighten: the wrist action of going forward then reversing suddenly is enough. That is one of the design features-rapid use.Philip Marcou
"hey don't require much torque to tighten: the wrist action of going forward then reversing suddenly is enough."Philip,That is what I had been doing with my non-ratcheting chuck, but I've found that larger bits with round (as opposed to hex) shank bits tend to slip, so now I take the extra two seconds to give 'er the two hand tighten.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodworks.com and http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com)
- Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
""".....I really like my 1/2" keyless chuck on my drill press. I'll never go back. Quite possibly the best $40 ever spent."""Amen.Rich
You paid only 40bucks for a 1/2inch keyless chuck?
If new then it is not top drawer quality, so imagine what a good Chezck one or top grade Bohr or Tos or Jacobs is like. You have to use one to appreciate it. You can get lucky and find second hand ones for a more affordable price , still in good condition.Philip Marcou
Philip,Yes, my chuck is an import. Next time I am at the tool store, I will have a look at the Jacobs, etc. I does have some difficulties properly centering small bits.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodworks.com and http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com)
- Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Yes that's true, but for wood working we really don't need keyless chucks made for milling machines. You might, as you are drilling metal in the fabrication of your planes ,but the average woodworker will do wonderfully well with with a decent imported brand. I purchased mine from a local machine shop supply hose for around $65.00. It's and import but has been flawless for the last five or so years now.
Yah, I know, but I was talking to those woodworms who would worry about 2 thou run out in a chuck (;)(;)
Are you speaking of a keyless one when you say you paid $65?
A couple of other things worry me about cheap k/l chucks- they can't take reverse torque and some can't take very small drills.
Philip Marcou
Yes it's keyless and it accommodates drill sizes from 1/8" to 5/8", which is sufficient for any woodworking needs I've had to date. I like this keyless chuck so well that I couldn't imagine ever going back to a keyed one.
What do you do when you need a hole smaller than 1/8"?Chris @ http://www.flairwoodworks.com and http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com)
- Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Get a 1/16th drill. Why? ☺☺☺Philip Marcou
He said: "accommodates drill sizes from 1/8" to 5/8"I, for one, find that I use bits smaller than 1/8" fairly regularly.EDIT: Ever seen a 1/64" drill bit?Chris @ http://www.flairwoodworks.com
and http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com) - Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Edited 10/12/2009 5:10 am by flairwoodworks
Chris,
I have. I have a boxed set of Mascot Pivot Micro Drill (1944) jeweler"s bits. Made for watch repair. The shanks are all 1/32 but the bits themselves are .00375. Never miked them, just what it says on the box. No Jacobs...just a pin vise. 1 rps would be just a bit fast. Really too small for me to use anymore. I can't even see the bit without a loop.BB
A small power hand drill works just fine for anything smaller than 1/8". They do make keyless chucks that will zero out, I just elected to not to purchase that one.
Another vote for a keyless chuck. I bought one for my 16" Delta drill press and it's the best thing that ever happened to it. My fingers would always hurt after working with the press when I didn't have the keyless chuck. Easy to tighten and release and the bits never slip.
Here is how crazy it can get.
Or how crazy I can get.
: )
I worked at a metal sculpture studio for a while where they had lost the chuck key for a 5/8 inch drill press chuck. They were doing something bizarre to get by, I don't remember what now but lets just say they were ruining the chuck and working with slipping bits etc.,
I looked all over to find the right new key. I wound up buying one that was close and TIG welding little dabs onto each tooth and filing them to fit the chuck.
God I love a good TIG welder. Can do just what you want with it !
PS: The name of the photo was " No Stopin' Me " not sure why some times I can put a name a mile long and sometimes it cuts off.
roc
Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )
Edited 10/3/2009 10:35 pm by roc
Disregard this chuck key post
I just added a photo that had seemed to have disappeared from my post from a bazilion years ago.
Move along . . . nothing to see at this accident . . . move along please . . . move along.
we're moving, we're moving
Nothing more to be said. ;-)
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