Budget keyless chuck for 12" benchtop drill press

[Kuma601]

Neighbor gifted me his 21914 Craftsman 12" benchtop drill press today. It is pretty rough and hasn't been used in years. The chuck is seized though probably saveable with some oil and cleaning. Layers of rust to deal with on the steel surfaces.

Want to swap the chuck out with a keyless, what is a decent Taiwan model with up to a 1/2" capacity? Is there such a model that is in the $65-$85 range? IDK how much runout this may have or even if I can get a true perpendicular hole so I do not want to put to much $ into this. I intend to use it for drilling where a precision hole isn't critical.

The table was covered with about 1/16'th rust. This is after 30 minutes of scrubbing with the cleaner and nylon pad.

 

[BillK]

I would rather have a decent keyed chuck than a cheap import keyless one. Depending on the mounting style MSC has some Jacobs chucks in that price range.

 

[txvwnut]

I have a couple of Rhom chucks and have been very happy with them, but they are above your price point. With any machine tool you pay for what you get. So the cheaper option may not be the best option.

 

[GeoBruin]

I have an Albrecht that came in a drill press I bought used. I also have one sold by Precision Matthews which might be a copy of some other taiwanese chucks. I can't tell the difference and my dial indicator can't either.

Looking at the PM offerings currently, they have a "precision" model, a "high precision" model, and an "ultra precision" model. Based on the knurling, mine looks like the ultra precision. If I remember correctly, I went with the PM because at the time, they offered one with an integral r8 arbor (I use it in my mill) instead of boxing it with an r8 to jacobs taper adapter which I thought would create more runout.

The PM models are right in or slightly above your price range depending on the model and I can't speak highly enough of mine. Good luck.

 

[Kuma601]

Thanks for the suggestion on the PM chucks! This is close enough to my price point. If I knew this drill press was capable I'd invest more. The 2/3'rd HP motor and overall build is less than the HF Central Machinery. One I get it cleaned up and check it with the dial indicator I'll have a bit better direction.

Thinking of a keyed chuck any modest recommendations?

 

[Augus7us]

I have a precision matthews that was cheaper and i love it. Id buy another one.

Got mine on ebay a few years back.

 

[sparkness]

Neighbor gifted me his 21914 Craftsman 12" benchtop drill press today. It is pretty rough and hasn't been used in years. The chuck is seized though probably saveable with some oil and cleaning. Layers of rust to deal with on the steel surfaces.

Want to swap the chuck out with a keyless, what is a decent Taiwan model with up to a 1/2" capacity? Is there such a model that is in the $65-$85 range? IDK how much runout this may have or even if I can get a true perpendicular hole so I do not want to put to much $ into this. I intend to use it for drilling where a precision hole isn't critical.

The table was covered with about 1/16'th rust. This is after 30 minutes of scrubbing with the cleaner and nylon pad.

I would check out shars you can get a precision 1/2 chuck for around $30 to $60 very good quality. not sure what chuck that drill press is maybe a jt33? The manual shows an arbor as well but does not state the size, it looks like a MT2

 

[crguy]

I would check out shars you can get a precision 1/2 chuck for around $30 to $60 very good quality.

Shars stuff is import - not what people call "very good quality".

 

[sparkness]

Shars stuff is import - not what people call "very good quality".

Shars sells at several levels, Jacobs chucks- now made in Taiwan, I feel Taiwan quality is up there.

 

[GeoBruin]

Shars sells at several levels, Jacobs chucks- now made in Taiwan, I feel Taiwan quality is up there.

Not to mention the OP is looking for a budget chuck for a budget drill press and specifically mentioned Taiwan in his post.

 

[sparkness]

Not to mention the OP is looking for a budget chuck for a budget drill press and specifically mentioned Taiwan in his post.

I own older USA made super chucks and some quality imports , I'm a home gamer and I want the best quality for my money. I prefer US made. Jacobs, no longer made here. Now days we all have to research the hell outa of what we are looking for to find quality and country of origin and fair price. excuse my rant, drinking some champagne pre new years with the wife! not trying to promote any particular seller, but I had good success with them.

 

[lilredex]

I have a couple of keyless chucks from here, #25013 $27.

CDCO Machinery Corp.

These grip with no slipage and often need help to loosen....a really good choice in my book.

 

[Augus7us]

Keep in mind a drill press is not a precise machine. You will see diminished returns if you buy a really expensive chuck.

If you want precision and expensive chucks get a mill.

 

[sparkness]

Keep in mind a drill press is not a precise machine. You will see diminished returns if you buy a really expensive chuck.

If you want precision and expensive chucks get a mill.

keep in mind an import drill press will have a lot of play in the quill to housing fit, I mean a *hit ton of play and short quill travel. that is one reason why they are low cost!

 

[Kuma601]

Prices with the inflation are head shaking. I'll probably use this press for the Kydex holes, leather drilling and spinning small parts for polishing. A 3/8" capacity chuck to save $ is my thought.

Also came across this one from Little Machine Shop, a 3/8 capacity at $35:

You are being redirected...

Travers Phase II 3/8" keyless chuck is $62

PHASE II 222-874 1/32

An excellent value for shopsApplicationsFor production line and toolroom use.FeaturesEasily closed by hand.Does not slip.Hardened and ground and accurately made.

www.travers.com

TTC JT33-MT2 arbor $6.95

TTC 63-004-822 33JT Jacobs Taper Drill Chuck Adapter

FeaturesHardened and precision ground.

www.travers.com

MSC has "Accrupro", not familiar if this is a house brand for MSC? Seems $ for PRC product that in their pic doesn't look good to begin with at $90.

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/08401440

 

[The Cobbler]

3/8 chuck is quite limiting, in my opinion. even tho it's a smaller press

 

[vanapplebomb]

Any “keyless” chuck worth using on a drill press still needs a tool to tighten it. Most use a spanner wrench. Avoid any keyless chuck intended to be hand tightened.

 

[shawhite]

Any “keyless” chuck worth using on a drill press still needs a tool to tighten it. Most use a spanner wrench. Avoid any keyless chuck intended to be hand tightened.

Albrecht

 

[GeoBruin]

The responses in this thread are baffling. The OP said they want a cheap chuck for an admittedly cheap drill press. They even specified a price range from $65 to $85, and said they knew it would be an import, and yet, we've got responses ranging from cautioning them about the maximim precision they can expect from a drill press to "Albrecht".

Does anyone read the original post?

 

[vanapplebomb]

Albrecht

Sure, those keyless chucks are a hand tighten chuck, but…

New, those cost 4 times the cost of the original posters drill… not to mention his price range.

Used ones in his specified price range almost always require a rebuild kit… which again is $$$

In the price range of the original poster, I recommend a spanner wrench tightening keyless chuck. They hold really well, and prices are reasonable.

 

[vanapplebomb]

I should also add, keyless chucks on small drill presses gets pretty old really fast. You will have to open the belt guard each time to hold the pulley so you can tighten it enough to use larger bits.

lathes and mills…no problem. Mills have spindle brakes, and lathes have fixed tail stocks. The only thing to stop spindle rotation on a small bench top drill is holding hold the pulley.

This is why you almost never see keyless chucks on drill presses. Keyed chucks are much more convenient to use.

 

[Kuma601]

Ok, in terms of a modest keyed chuck any recommendations?

I saw that a spanner is necessary for many of the lower tier keyless which is a turn-off. There are a few that don't require them just not many reviews of how well they hold or the possible runout. I'm not expecting .001" or tighter.

 

[Augus7us]

My response was to the guy saying he should spend a bunch on a fancy american chuck. Why? Its not a mill all drill presses have run out.

Op get a cheaper keyless chuck and be done. No tools are required to tighten it so no missing key. I have three drill presses. Keyless wins hands down.

 

[GeoBruin]

I think my Precision Matthews keyless chuck came with a spanner but I don't know where it is. I've never used it. I've only ever hand tightened the chuck and it's worked flawlessly for thousands of holes. I've stalled out the mill before trying to drill too big a hole but I've never had the chuck slip on a bit.

 

[shawhite]

The responses in this thread are baffling. The OP said they want a cheap chuck for an admittedly cheap drill press. They even specified a price range from $65 to $85, and said they knew it would be an import, and yet, we've got responses ranging from cautioning them about the maximim precision they can expect from a drill press to "Albrecht".

Does anyone read the original post?

Any “keyless” chuck worth using on a drill press still needs a tool to tighten it. Most use a spanner wrench. Avoid any keyless chuck intended to be hand tightened.

^^My response was to this hint the reason I quoted it ^^

Several good recommendations already

 

[dutchgray]

I think my Precision Matthews keyless chuck came with a spanner but I don't know where it is. I've never used it. I've only ever hand tightened the chuck and it's worked flawlessly for thousands of holes. I've stalled out the mill before trying to drill too big a hole but I've never had the chuck slip on a bit.

I have had cheap Asian keyless chucks grip so tight they popped the arbor taper off, or locked themselves up so tight I had to get a chain wrench out to loosen them.

Avoid reduced shank drills, the chuck capacity is really the biggest hole you should be drilling.

The Asian chucks are pretty much all the same design but quality varies, dont buy the cheapest and get it through an importer with a decent reputation, not the Ebay seller who has one for $5 less than anyone else.

I have a half dozen Albrecht's, I have bought used ones and done fine but you want to have your hands on it before you buy.

Might be worth an Ebay search for a Rohm, Metabo or LFA, they all make a decent keyless and can be picked up cheap in new condition sometimes as they are not as well known.

 

[Nvrplzd]

Something that hasn’t been mentioned yet.. not sure of the time frame you have set for yourself, however if you’re patient you can find some great deals on used Albrecht chucks on EU EBay. Way better deals (even with shipping) on chucks over there, or at least there used to be. Obviously as it was already mentioned, you do have to take caution when purchasing used chucks, however I have had good luck. Just a thought!

 

[tarbellb]

Best used keyed chuck- Old Jacobs Super chuck

LFA is a good new option, I've got a thread about my experience w them

Def go 1/2", very frustrating when you're middle of a job and realize that's what you need.

 

[nadogail]

Neighbor gifted me his 21914 Craftsman 12" benchtop drill press today. It is pretty rough and hasn't been used in years. The chuck is seized though probably saveable with some oil and cleaning. Layers of rust to deal with on the steel surfaces.

Want to swap the chuck out with a keyless, what is a decent Taiwan model with up to a 1/2" capacity? Is there such a model that is in the $65-$85 range? IDK how much runout this may have or even if I can get a true perpendicular hole so I do not want to put to much $ into this. I intend to use it for drilling where a precision hole isn't critical.

The table was covered with about 1/16'th rust. This is after 30 minutes of scrubbing with the cleaner and nylon pad.

I was in Harbor Freight, Saturday 12/31/2022 and saw a #2 Morse Taper Arbor and 1/2" chuck for $6.00 and change.