Drill Press chuck problem

[Rick B.]

All the chucks in my previous drill presses have been screw on but the large chuck in my WEN 4212 is a tapered shaft press fit. I've had the machine for about three years with no problems but suddenly the chuck want to drop out every now and then. What's the secret to getting it to stay in???

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[seber]

Clean the shaft and socket with acetone. Also be sure there are no burrs. Make sure the flat is lined up and smack it lightly with a piece of wood or soft hammer. Not too hard. If that doesn't work, you may need to ream the socket. Reamers are not too expensive but are normally only needed if the Morse taper has been inserted at the wrong angle.

 

[Rick B.]

Thanks much. I did have the chuck out to clean and lube it and yes I also wiped some oil on the taper to prevent rust. I'll go clean it.

 

[nadogail]

When my Chuck died I replaced it with a Ball Bearing Jacobs from MSC.

 

[The Cobbler]

the oil is likely your problem. Morse tapers want a dry, clean fit .
cheers

 

[rsanter]

Clean the shaft and socket with acetone. Also be sure there are no burrs. Make sure the flat is lined up and smack it lightly with a piece of wood or soft hammer. Not too hard. If that doesn't work, you may need to ream the socket. Reamers are not too expensive but are normally only needed if the Morse taper has been inserted at the wrong angle.

This, and I use a dead blow to seat the thing

 

[astroracer]

I had that problem with the chuck on my lathe. It was clean and oil free but would loosen up when boring holes. A machinist I worked with mentioned dusting it with talcum powder. I cleaned it, dusted it with powder and have never had a loosening problem since... That was probably 20 years ago and I never repeated the dusting...
Mark

 

[Bretny]

When my Chuck died I replaced it with a Ball Bearing Jacobs from MSC.

His chuck didnt die. Did you read the OP? It simply fell out like some MT drills and chucks do.

OP MT stands for Morris taper. It's a pretty standard thing on drill presses. I'm sure youtube has many videos on how to secure them back in. But post #2 prety much tells all.

 

[MikeF2316]

Mine was falling out occasionally too. There were a few burrs on the Morse taper. After removing them, the problem has not reoccurred.

 

[mowkep]

Depending on the make, your tang could be also be deforming. It happens. File it down so it fits. This is just one thing I can think of. There are other culprits as well. But judging from your picture it looks okay. Just looks like scratches and maybe a raised edge on the taper itself

 

[Kevin54]

His chuck didnt die. Did you read the OP? It simply fell out like some MT drills and chucks do.

OP MT stands for Morris taper. It's a pretty standard thing on drill presses. I'm sure youtube has many videos on how to secure them back in. But post #2 prety much tells all.

MT stands for MORSE TAPER.

To the OP...either thump the chuck up in with a rubber hammer, or keep a block of wood around that you can bring the quill down fast against the block of wood. Or use your hand and ram the chuck into the quill fast and hard. But DO NOT thump against the jaws, just thump against the body with the jaws retracted.

 

[neophyte]

It depends on whether you ever want to be able to remove it.
I’ve seen comments about cooling the taper shaft on the chuck with dry ice, and also possible heating the taper on the drill press gently with a heat gun set on low.
Then pushing the taper arbor into the taper on the drill press.
When the temps on the two parts equalize, the drill chuck will probably never come out.


A better option might just be to put wrap the chuck in plastic wrap and then put it in the fridge or some regular ice, and let the chuck cool down.
Then wack the chuck taper arbor into the drill press and let it warm up.
It’s not going to be as set as the dry ice method, but will be more easily removed in future if necessary.

 

[tarmy]

If it is clean and the chuck shaft is straight/burr free it should seat without a hell of a lot of force. Gentle tap with a dead blow or even a small 2x4 should be all it takes...at least on mine...

 

[dscheidt]

I've seen this happen with presses where someone drilled a giant hole, and when the bit stuck, instead of stalling the motor, or breaking the bit, the chuck taper spun in the socket. This tends to chew up the tapers, and if there are any raised areas on either part, the taper doesn't engage, just the high spots. They need to be removed, without damaging the surrounding areas. That's hard to do on the socket.