Drill press chuck

[BFBOB]

I finally have worn out the chuck on my Rockwell 15-081 drill press. Nice 14" floor model, 5-speed. It has a JT-33 mounted chuck, which is original- a Jacobs Multicraft DC8K33. Dang thing wore out in only 30 years. The nerve!
My first instinct is to get another just like it-after all, it should outlive me. But I have the Upgrade bug.
So, let's hear some opinions from those who have been through enough to rate various chucks. Is better really better, or would I be wasting my money for fairly light home use?
The minimum drill size on the original is 5/64. If I went with one rated for smaller drill bits, would I just be begging for early wear on those sharp jaw corners?
I do have a tiny auxiliary chuck, but it makes a pretty long string of stuff-gets a little wobbly.

And of course if someone has a nice spare to sell, it'd be good to keep the commerce in the family.

 

[drivesitfar]

I always like original equipment if available. Find another one of the same that you seem to use a lot and maybe are used to and let it outlive you. then your kids can find better options, but probably will be using lasers by then. some of our old drill presses will be yard art in 30 years and some already are. I did see some pretty cool ways to attach the key to the drill press if you don't like storing it in a drawer. magnets and chains were some ways.

 

[lilredex]

Have been using these for a couple of years now, trouble free.



http://www.cdcotools.com/ (#25013)

 

[Stuey]

You could also try a Rohm. I replaced the no-name chuck on my Craftsman drill press and have been fairly happy with the results.

 

[Monte]

the best: www.albrecht-germany.com

 

[DavidB]

I'd suggest trying to find a lightly used US made Jacobs chuck or go with a Rohm. I've got a Rohm for a JT33 on my drill press and have only good stuff to say about it. It's priced well too.

 

[tube_guy]

As far as I know, Jacobs has somewhat recently closed down all of their US based manufacturing facilities and they are now importing all of their chucks. Even when the last US based facility was open, the chucks they were producing were nothing like the older Connecticut produced chucks. The parts on the old Connecticut produced chucks were really nicely made and fit together well and the chucks were always very tight and smooth when new. The newer US made chucks were nothing like that, so if you're looking for a brand new chuck the quality has dropped from what you had and you’re likely to be disappointed for the price you’d have to pay. I think the best value in a new drill chuck are the Rohm chucks that Stuey mentioned. They are made in Germany and are decent quality, and a half inch chuck with a Jacobs 33 taper can be bought for under 30 bucks if you shop around. I have some of the newer Jacobs chucks and the Rohms I also own are at least as good and cost substantially less. If you’re looking for top of the line, a keyless Albrecht is the way to go, but they might cost roughly what your entire drill press is realistically worth.

 

[Davefr]

the best: www.albrecht-germany.com

^^^What he said. Once you go with a quality keyless chuck you'll never look back. If you do happen to want a keyed chuck the only one I'd consider is a Jacobs Ball Bearing Super Chuck (USA Version). Go to Ebay but be very fussy about condition.:

 

[justanengineer]

I'd be looking for a good used Jacobs ball bearing super made in USA of course or a Rohm.

 

[Stuey]

As far as I know, Jacobs has somewhat recently closed down all of their US based manufacturing facilities and they are now importing all of their chucks. Even when the last US based facility was open, the chucks they were producing were nothing like the older Connecticut produced chucks. The parts on the old Connecticut produced chucks were really nicely made and fit together well and the chucks were always very tight and smooth when new. The newer US made chucks were nothing like that, so if you're looking for a brand new chuck the quality has dropped from what you had and you’re likely to be disappointed for the price you’d have to pay. I think the best value in a new drill chuck are the Rohm chucks that Stuey mentioned. They are made in Germany and are decent quality, and a half inch chuck with a Jacobs 33 taper can be bought for under 30 bucks if you shop around. I have some of the newer Jacobs chucks and the Rohms I also own are at least as good and cost substantially less. If you’re looking for top of the line, a keyless Albrecht is the way to go, but they might cost roughly what your entire drill press is realistically worth.

I read similar accounts about newer Jacobs quality, which is why I went with the Rohm. I upgraded the chuck on my mini drill press as well, and also picked up Rohm chucks for my Sherline lathe and Taig mill. For what I paid via Enco, I have zero complaints.

 

[BFBOB]

Thanks to all -
Good info on the Jacobs situation. I hadn't heard any of that til now. Ball bearing Jacobs Super - I ran across one eBay listing; very expensive!

Rohm - I figured they'd be expensive- will have to look into them. Yes, I've had good results with German machines; I have a couple of the two-wheeled varieties.

Expensive- yeah, I've seen a couple offered for sale at TWICE what my drill press is worth!!

Enco- I've used some of their house brand lathe tooling and it's all worked fine on my small spinner.

Keyless- I'm skeptical, but sure wouldn't have any other kind on my cordless drills. Are they really appropriate for a DP? Even on my medium-duty machine I've sometimes had trouble getting the keyed chuck tight enough, and then loosening it again. But, I can change my mind in the face of overwhelming evidence!

 

[PT Doc]

Jacobs super Chuck.

 

[Steinmetz]

Albrecht.

 

[454ragtop]

I have an NOS DC8K33 chuck, new in the beat up very shop worn box, made in USA, no key. $20. Can get pics if interested.
Jim

 

[454ragtop]

Here's a couple pics of the chuck I have.
Jim

 

[Monte]

Keyless- I'm skeptical, but sure wouldn't have any other kind on my cordless drills. Are they really appropriate for a DP? Even on my medium-duty machine I've sometimes had trouble getting the keyed chuck tight enough, and then loosening it again. But, I can change my mind in the face of overwhelming evidence!

Alzmetall, manufacturer of some of the best drill presses from Germany ONLY offers keyless chucks for their machines....
http://www.alzmetall.de/alzmetall/index.php?id=bohrfutter&L=1

The same if you look at other drill press manufacturers like Flott.....keyless only....