3/16″ lathe chuck key wanted

This topic has 13 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 13 March 2025 at 23:00 by duncan webster 1.

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11 March 2025 at 17:03 #788347
Wink Hackman
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@winkhackman25989
I recently acquired a 4″ Burnerd 4 jaw independent chuck. Now I need to find a chuck key – it looks like it’s 3/16″ square. I’ve trawled the usual suppliers with no luck yet. If anyone has one, please PM me, thanks.
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11 March 2025 at 17:29 #788353
peak4
Participant
@peak4
Sounds like a nice easy project to me.
Make two whilst you’re set up as it really speeds up setting work to run true.

Bill
11 March 2025 at 17:43 #788363
bernard towers
Participant
@bernardtowers37738
Im with Bill
11 March 2025 at 18:06 #788366
John Haine
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@johnhaine32865
Sounds a bit small to me. More likely 1/4″?
11 March 2025 at 18:13 #788367
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Rotagrip do them but you may want to make once you see the price
11 March 2025 at 18:32 #788371
Bazyle
Participant
@bazyle
Yes, make it yourself but twice as long and put the cross handle in the middle so it has two ends – then you can use the other end in the future for another chuck, or perhaps insert a bit of hex key to fit the tool holder screws.
11 March 2025 at 19:01 #788374
DC31k
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@dc31k
Another option might be a 6mm one and file (power sand/grind) it down.
11 March 2025 at 19:19 #788377
Wink Hackman
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@winkhackman25989
Yes I can make my own, and I agree it’s worth doing a pair for quick centring. I’m just being lazy…
11 March 2025 at 23:31 #788403
peak4
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@peak4
On 11 March 2025 at 18:06 John Haine Said:

Sounds a bit small to me. More likely 1/4″?

Just been out to measure the ones I made for my 4″ Crown one.

They are 0.190″, so probably intended to be 3/16″ for the original chuck key.

Bill
12 March 2025 at 06:41 #788425
Diogenes
Participant
@diogenes
Yes, the 4″ Burnerd is a small chuck and the key is 3/16.

FWIW I’d make my own – on the grounds that the Burnerd key feels (to me) oddly-proportioned and ungainly – it’s limbs are far too long for their diameter and the small chuck size brings everything close to the equipment it’s mounted on..
12 March 2025 at 07:35 #788432
Dell
Participant
@dell
I purchased 2 from RDG tools & ground to fit as I had made my own but weren’t hard enough, probably used the wrong steel but then I restore clocks and am not a tool maker.
12 March 2025 at 08:24 #788439
Nicholas Farr
Participant
@nicholasfarr14254
Hi, my two 3 1/4″ Burnerd four jaw chucks have a 3/16″ square key hole, the screws are 1/2″ in diameter.

Regards Nick.
12 March 2025 at 16:37 #788475
DC31k
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@dc31k
On 12 March 2025 at 07:35 Dell Said:

…I had made my own but weren’t hard enough…

I have never understood the logic of people hardening chuck keys.

I would rather re-make ten worn out keys than try to make one chuck pinion in which the key engages.
13 March 2025 at 23:00 #788615
duncan webster 1
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@duncanwebster1
I made mine out of the shanks of caphead screws
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