Hi Nige,

Keep digging you will find some more of these if you look,i have to say i was somewhat confused by the caption

on the photo bottom right on page 55 ,see top left page 54.

John

A 'Senior Moment'……?

I'll get me coat.

Edited By John C on 16/07/2017 10:19:46

If making a key make it + shaped rather than T shape. The other end can be used for another chuck or for a hex for the tool holder screws.

H

Shouldn't be too difficult. In the crudest from, take the bar intended for the Key, diameter such that it can be filed down to the size of the square (or hexagon – see later) , and cross drill for the metal intended for the Handle.

File, ideally mill, to the size of square that fits the socket for the chuck jaw, (round the corners a little before trying in the socket). Once the business end is the required fit,,preferably drill and tap the end for the Handle, to take a securing grubscrew. Fit the handle , tighten grubscrew, and you are in business.

The nice way to do it is to mill the square, if possible.

For a chuck with hexagon sockets, find a piece of hexagon bar of the right size, or using the flats as a guide, file down each flat in turn, to fit the socket, and put the Handle on in the same way.

Two Keys can be a big help in centering the work in a four jaw.

Howard

Indeed, Keeping the commercial interests of the hobby alive means always buying more! stay well away from those simple curmudgeons your grandfather may have used and stick to modern technology. That way we can make £3000 out of you rather than £30.

Michael W

Just find a bit of already square bar of the right size aprox. Door handle bar is ok for a lot of smaller chucks. Does not need anything exotic, not a lot of force needed.

My drill chuck key is fitted to a length of chain fixed to the machine itself,so no more hunting around for it. The mill tool for knocking out the morse taper sleeves is also on a chain,always to hand. Lathe keys clipped to the outside of the gear housing.

Now regarding centering work in the 4 jaw chuck,I came across a photo on the cover of a book by no less a man than Tubal Cain. He admits himself that when he saw the picture,he went into shock,thinking of all the time he had wasted over the years ! I tried it,and Bingo! ,it works ! Simple and effective.