attaching a hex key to machines?

[cannuck]

One of the simpletons at work failed to remove the chained chuck key when he started the drillpress. HIs hand got tangled. I would hazard a guess. That was the moment when hew found out he could dance, but not sing

Chuck keys on a wire or chain are one of my absolute hates for a workshop. My main drill press sits beside the shelving with bits and tooling for the press on the other side. The chuck key has a dedicated hole on the fractional bit shelf that is in easy reach for my right hand. I won't even lay it down on the table while working - always back in its dedicated home. Not only the risk of starting a tool with chuck key in on a wire but such a mount disturbs my grip when using the key.

I am starting to do the same thing with tools that need hex keys - i.e. make a pocket or similar for key set or key.

 

[DGersic]

That's the style but the ones I used were all plastic and came in various sizes, thinking maybe a telecom style for routing wires in a house. I had three mounted with small panheads on the inside walls of the bed in my RV, the bed tilted up on hinges to allow access to the water tanks, pumps and the valves to winterize the RV.

You could buy individual sizes as needed from an electronics parts supplier. I have a storage bin of similar ones from parted out games, used for securing the wiring harness.

 

[JradM]

Chuck keys on a wire or chain are one of my absolute hates for a workshop. My main drill press sits beside the shelving with bits and tooling for the press on the other side. The chuck key has a dedicated hole on the fractional bit shelf that is in easy reach for my right hand. I won't even lay it down on the table while working - always back in its dedicated home. Not only the risk of starting a tool with chuck key in on a wire but such a mount disturbs my grip when using the key.

I am starting to do the same thing with tools that need hex keys - i.e. make a pocket or similar for key set or key.

I don't like that idea either. The fellow who was injured might be dumb, but a chain next to a spinning tool is also a recipe for an accident.

I try to be safety-conscious in my shop, but it's not like I've NEVER made a mistake either. It's easy to make a small slip-up when you're in a rush, distracted or just lose concentration for a moment. Eliminating hazards is just good practice.

 

[danielbuck]

Adel clamps?

I think that with a short piece of hose or some other material clamped inside that can squish slightly and hold the keys would probably be perfect.



Thanks for all the ideas folks! I have a few things to try out and see what I like best For me, a chain or magnet is a no-go. But thanks for those suggestions too

 

[cherrybomb]

A thought on drill press safety,my chuck key has a internal stub on a spring that actually forces the key out after tightening. Something I really just took for granted,but maybe mfgs.should offer.It forces me to put the key in a holder I have

 

[Steve_P]

I can't think of the actual name of the wire clip electricians use, it's a loop with a small hole for a screw. Available in different sizes, I had some mounted as a place to keep allen style keys (had 3 mounted) in my camper under the bed where my water and pumps were to set the valves for winterizing or normal use.

Conduit clamp? They're big and not a loop.

I already suggested a tube clamp above which sounds like what you describe- see the link I posted. AKA Adel clamp, etc.

 

[colindoyle]

"Get the scientists working on the tube technology!"

 

[jmarkwolf]

It's still not clear to me if the OP was referring to "Allen wrenches" or chuck keys but here is the chuck key holder on my drill press. This, in combination with the "spring loaded" chuck key that will "fall out" of the chuck when released, is just the ticket. This way if you drop it, you won't have to fish it out from under the base of the machine!

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I know you said no magnets, but they're the simplest and best solution.

 

[darkzero]

OPs post is about hex keys/Allen keys..... but talking about those spring loaded chuck keys, sorry, but I personally can't stand them. Most of my drill chucks are keyless but I do have a number of Jacobs Super Ball Bearing chucks and I will only use the standard original non-safety keys.

Even a few of my lathe chucks that came with self ejecting chuck keys, I removed the damn springs. Luckily they just come right off. Saftey nazis might scold me for defeating "safety devices" or not using them but whatever, there are far more dangerous things to worry about on a lathe or drill press.

 

[rsanter]

=chuck key holder. The type you attach to the power cord

 

[isb cornbinder]

One of the simpletons at work failed to remove the chained chuck key when he started the drillpress. HIs hand got tangled. I would hazard a guess. That was the moment when he found out he could dance, but n

One of the simpletons at work failed to remove the chained chuck key when he started the drillpress. HIs hand got tangled. I would hazard a guess. That was the moment when he found out he could dance, but not sing

I used to buy, freshen and resell toolboxes for a side hustle. This came to a crashing halt in 2019. One of the Black and Gold Craftsman roller cabinets was full of Hazet tools. I paid $400 for the cabinets and contents There were several ALBRECHT chucks. Each chuck was worth more than I paid for the upper and lower cabinets and all tools. So, did I keep the Albrecht chucks? "Hell yes!" I am not such a big deal shop, so I am not motivated to spend the amount of money the Albrecht seller ask for new, This was a bonus find.

 

[slowtwitch73]

I know you said no magnets, but they're the simplest and best solution.

Everything gets magnetized.. pita.

 

[RTM]

Everything gets magnetized.. pita.

Heck, when I sharpen hand saws, the file in my possession has never been near a magnet, but all the swarf is magnetic. I keep an old tape head demagnetizer nearby to fix that problem, briefly.

 

[darkzero]

Tools that get magnetized unintentionally drives me nuts! I will never stick tools to magnetic strips etc for hanging/storage. I do have some magnetized screwdrivers but these have their place & I can easily unmagnatize/magnatize them when needed. Things like tweezers, pliers, & files when magnetized are what bothers me the most. I won't buy tweezers that are not anti-magnetic. For these reasons & more is why I own these below and can't live without em.

This one is just a import but it has never let me down. Got it from Enco for $35 shipped, I couldn't be happier for what I paid & what it has done for me over the years.


These Wihas I only use for screwdrivers. The cheaper knock offs don't work that great, at least not any of the ones I've came across. I've got 2 more of them somewhere.

 

[PoorUB]

Years back, at a machine shop I worked for, we just welded a tab to a short piece of pipe and mounted it under a bolt on the machine.

 

[GarageHobbyist]

There are a ton of good ideas here, P clamps were already covered. Another good option are the cushioned P Clamps for brake/air/hydraulic lines. They are steel with a thick rubber cushion inside that will give a bit of grip.