Drill chuck keys?

[Cornish JackParticipant @cornishjack]

G'day all – again.

Does anyone have any idea what happens to drill chuck keys? They seem to disappear like chinagraph pencils and ball point pens. Presumably there is a place where they congregate.

I have two or three chucks which need keys and the combination 4 way jobs are not suitable. Is there a supplier with a comprehensive listing or, alternatively, can anyone point me towards a method of making my own – they look simple but I can foresee considerable difficulties, particularly with the bevel pinions?

TIA

Rgds

Bill

[Cornish JackParticipant @cornishjack]

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi There

Buy new chuck keys, buy some pot magnets, screw pot magnets to drill, put chuck key on magnet.

Stand back and admire your work.

regards david

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Small spring tool clips work as well, never put a key down, always put it back!!

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

As with the outside jaws for lathe chucks they will appear eventually on ebay with absolutely no information as to origin or even size most of the time, Then the idiot wondetrs why nobody bids and just bins them.

It would be an idea for this and other auction fodder to have a guide on this site that explains the pertinent data to be provided. Then people could be pointed to it.

[Cornish JackParticipant @cornishjack]

Helpful tips so far for KEEPING them safe!! What I need is info on OBTAINING them!!

I assume that there must be a) a standard to which the things are manufactured and b) firms which manufacture/sell/distribute them. If so, they are notable by their absence from all my searches, so far. Obviously, the stem and 'T' bar are straightforward – it's the bevelled gear/pinion which is the tricky bit – making or buying.

Rgds

Bill

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi There

A Jacobs no 31 chuck has a K31 chuck key.

Does that help?

regards David

 

Edited By David Clark 1 on 02/08/2012 15:02:33

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

A quick search on Google bought up loads of chuck keys for 2 or 3 quid each including postage.

Search Surprise, surprise, Jacobs Chuck key.

You could of course search Jacob's chuck key but the first search was fine.

regards David

[NilochParticipant @niloch]

Buy a keyless chuck

 

 

Edited By Niloch on 02/08/2012 15:12:26

[SpringbokParticipant @springbok]

I as a habit I hang back up a tool whenever I have used it, it saves so much time and swearing.
when where the blank blank is it. Have some boards screwed to to wall within easy reach please look at my pics. an old bit of kitchen cupboard and MDF.

Bob

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

I'm with springbok. those tools with cases or that I have made hooks or holders for always go back in place as it's sort of rewarding to put them 'back to bed'.

Neil

[Cornish JackParticipant @cornishjack]

Thanks all for the suggestions for bolting stable doors etc. Thank you David – yes, lots of chuck keys, given that it is a recognised manufacturer or one of those awful multi-function things. What is totally absent is ANYTHING on first principles of making same.

For anyone in a similar position the only useful inputs, so far, are a couple of Youtube items, one demonstrating the use of drill bit and flat blade screwdriver and the other, drill bit and pipe grips. Both methods quite effective and less damaging than the ill-fitting multi jobs. Ultimately, of course, the answer is replace them all with keyless.

Rgds

Bill

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

A Jacobs 34 chuck (1/2&quot uses a K-3 key, the only other one in my collection with a number is a 1/4" chuck with a no.,1 key, the end tit is about 3/16"dia from memory.

I think every workshop in the world has a colony of little folk who come and borrow things, and hide things, then when your not looking for that tool etc they bring them back, and put them just where you left them. Ian S C

[Cornish JackParticipant @cornishjack]

Absolutely right, Ian – and, unfortunately, I encourage the little %$**"+s by maintaining the untidiest workshop imaginable!! NOT, I hasten to add, a matter of pride – just a practical acceptance that I'm naturally untidy – for those who might consider offering appropriate advice for the 'condition' , Thank you, but no thank you. At 78, new tricks are beyond the reach of this particular old dog!

Rgds

Bill

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

The key is in effect just a bevel gear. Diameter determined from position of hole in chuck, tooth pitch and angle again measured off chuck. It would then be useful if keys were defined in those terms, plus size of arbour.

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

**LINK**

I think this link covers jacobs chucks find the size you want then google

Mike

[thomas oliver 2Participant @thomasoliver2]

I once bought 4 brand new Jacobs keyless chucks. I have never overtightened or abused them. Nevertheless each one in turn stripped the locking sleeve or the front sleeve. These are simply force fitted onto a fairly fine and very short spline, and do not stand up. I have managed to make and fit alloy sleeves on two and they have stood up OK up to now. I would be cautious about these chucks, and feel it would be best to buy all metal types.

[Steve GarnettParticipant @stevegarnett62550]

Posted by Cornish Jack on 02/08/2012 11:54:59:

Does anyone have any idea what happens to drill chuck keys? They seem to disappear like chinagraph pencils and ball point pens. Presumably there is a place where they congregate.

Yeah, usually the outer reaches of your workshop. They generally get there when you forget, leave them in the machine, and then start it!

Okay, okay, I'm only joking – I'm sure you don't do that (do you?)

We have a scissor vortex; they're always disappearing. And I'm sure that there's some sort of vortex operating on my bank account too…

[Gone AwayParticipant @goneaway]

I rather liked this solution from the Polytech forum:

"Do what real men do….. Just stick the back end of an appropriate sized
drill bit in the chuck key pilot hole to use as a fulcrum. Then pry
against the gear teeth with a BF slot screwdriver."

[Trevor Drabble 1Participant @trevordrabble1]

Bill,

The only readily available information I know of relating to chucks and their keys, is that shown within 2 tables of a Cromwell Tools catalogue ( page 750 of 2010 issue). There are no technical details, only correlations between Jacobs/Rohm chucks and various chuck keys, the model numbers of which I assume are universal within the trade. If you feel it would help, I can take a snap and email it to you.

Trevor

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Just google jacobs chucks.

Bill, your workshop and mine, theres even a bit of a veiw of one of my benches in my album with my Ross Yoke hot air engine. Often its not the subject of the photo, but all the other bits. Ian S C

[Cornish JackParticipant @cornishjack]

Trevor – thank you for your kind offer. Would much appreciate the photo, if it doesn't involve you in any hassle.

Ian – most reassuring! Looking at some of the gloriously exquisite products from so many of our contributors (including yours!) I slump into despair. However, it's ONLY A HOBBY!! As long as I keep telling myself that, messing about with metal is VERY enjoyable!

Rgds

Bill

Edited By Cornish Jack on 05/08/2012 11:53:37

[WolfieParticipant @wolfie]

I was given a 2MT chuck for my lathe tailstock by a member of my club. But could I get a chuck key for it!!

I didn't know how to measure it so I could call someone and say a 3" chuck key please (or whatever)

Eventually after chasing around half of North Yorkshire and County Durham and going into random engineering suppliers with said chuck in grubby paw I found one that fitted.

Theres gotta be an easier way!

[Trevor Drabble 1Participant @trevordrabble1]

Bill,

Unable to post picture. Please supply email address so that I may supply.

Many Thanks

Trevor

Correction, I now find it is actually attached. Hope it helps.

 

 

Edited By Trevor Drabble on 10/08/2012 00:30:47

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

Ha Ha, pulled out my Allen Key box and there were two chuck keys I never knew I had.

Clive

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