Drill Press Key Storage

[doan]

The other post about chuck key storage prompted this. My restored C150 is up and running. There is a hole in the table to store the key - IF you can remember to put it there. I have seen others that put it on a small chain, so you can always find it.

The chain guarantees it won't get lost or hidden amongst other tools, but I think it's a safety issue if you leave the key in the chuck and turn the drill on.

 

[383 240z]

I keep mine on a magnet on the head of the machine. It is on a chain as well. Takes a bit of training. The key is either in your hand, or on the magnet. Just like the lathe. Keith

 

[Will S.]

Mine has been tethered to the drill press stand for more than 50 years. Always right there, every time I need it.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Mine is kept in the case my drill bits are in. Never have lost it, and it's easily accounted for.

 

[Stephenw]

I have a rare earth magnet stuck on the side of the head. I keep the chuck key there.

 

[ken w.]

I keep mine in the hole in the table by the pole.

 

[383 240z]

I was always told to stay away from the hole near the pole. Keith

 

[HAP]

I have mine on a retractable key chain. If my hand is not on it, it pulls itself out.
HAP

 

[doan]

I have mine on a retractable key chain. If my hand is not on it, it pulls itself out.
HAP

I like that idea

 

[bad_idea]

I have a vidmar beside the drill press w/ all of the drill related items. Including the chuck key.

 

[WILD-BILL]

I have a Craftsman DP that is probably about 7 yrs old at least. It has a dedicated clip style holder for the key to snap into. The key it's self has a springloaded pin in the end so it will push it's self out of the chuck when you take your hand off it.

 

[Junkman]

I haven't seen the key in about 10 years, so I haven't used the drill press in that time. I did a "restoration" of the drill press about 5 years ago, and painted everything, but never got around to wiring it again. I guess that I will leave that to the wifes next husband to deal with ...

 

[senlow]

I store my key on a magnet that's attached to the head of the drill press. Steve and Keith; do you hear an echo. Great minds think alike...



and I copied them.

 

[Outlawmws]

I used a chain on my old DP, the current one I'm using a magnet. Of the two, I prefer the chain.

Never turned the DP on with the chuck in place in near thirty years of use...

 

[theknurl]

chuck key?????

really? join the modern world

Albrecht keyless ball bearing chucks

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/...hlFyckgyipPDLxZL4CWlF5J5Acpes526Q1EmHx-4xZt7g

 

[PugetDude]

I pop-riveted a 3/4" Conduit hanger on the front of the belt guard; just drop the key in. It's right in front of your face, so you can see it when you push the ON button

 

[fordbroncodave]

I have a craftsman 100 drill press, hole in the table is immediate right of the support column. since I am right handed it works well. spin the chuck with my left and insert key with my right.

I also store a few sharp small bits on the table for pilot holes directly in front of the key.

 

[fourjeepin]

I like the retractable idea though I am a Magnet user. The ones from a hard drive are extremely strong and you can't accidentally knock it loose.

 

[Greatbear]

Of my three DPs, two have them tethered with chains, one has it stored in an unused lamp mounting hole near the quill.

 

[machine_punk]

I use an all-metal badge holder for the drill press chuck key. I drilled and threaded a hole in a non-critical location on the head casting...
View media item 20539
View media item 20540
Kev

 

[ajchien]

I have mine on a retractable key chain. If my hand is not on it, it pulls itself out.
HAP

I have mine on a magnet, but I will convert to this idea.

 

[Provincial]

I voted in the designated spot because I have always kept the key for my Craftsman DP in the hole in the table. I picked up another DP the other day (a HF 20") and haven't yet decided where to store the key on it. I have two chucks for the HF, which complicates things!

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

We use string to prevent them from walking off.

 

[bobcatdan]

It just on top of the press on the belt cover. Like that at work and home. No problems losing the key since combined I use a drill about once a year.

 

[Jim C.]

I have a drawer in one of my boxes that's dedicated to various drill bit indexes and bit sets, egg beater drills, and drill press accessories. I keep my chuck keys in the same drawer.

Jim C.

 

[kc-steve]

My old DP has a spring loaded receptacle so when I let go it pushes the chuck out. I normally keep about a dozen different drill chucks in a small drawer in my machinist's tool box. But the DP has a specific chuck that can only be bought at Grizzly.

Steve

 

[Jagmandave]

Mine goes into the chuck when I'm not using it, when I am using it it just lays on the bench near the press. The magnet sounds like a good idea, but I'd have to retrain myself, cause I'll be looking all over for the dumb thing at first!

View media item 35540

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I used a chain on my old DP, the current one I'm using a magnet. Of the two, I prefer the chain.

Never turned the DP on with the chuck in place in near thirty years of use...

I'm curious how you install the chuck with it spinning.

 

[steel 35]

I keep mine the same place I did when I got it used 30 years ago.

 

[Davefr]

What's a drill press key???

Haven't used one in years. When I did this is where it was stored.

 

[Steinmetz]

chuck key?????

really? join the modern world

Albrecht keyless ball bearing chucks

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/...hlFyckgyipPDLxZL4CWlF5J5Acpes526Q1EmHx-4xZt7g

Absolutely!

 

[Steinmetz]

Mine goes into the chuck when I'm not using it, when I am using it it just lays on the bench near the press. The magnet sounds like a good idea, but I'd have to retrain myself, cause I'll be looking all over for the dumb thing at first!

View media item 35540

I do this too. Even in chucks I use on the lathe.

 

[yuk]

dont have a press but when i get one i will glue/epoxy a big ol speaker magnet to the it to hold the key and what few bits, etc... thea i will be working with at the time.

 

[Jagmandave]

Why would you need to epoxy the magnet on, wouldn't it stick anyway?

 

[yuk]

but if aluminum, stainless, pot metal or plastic.

 

[RCStocker]

Back in the 50's I worked in a small machine shop drilling thousands of holes a day. I put a round file handle on the key chuck. Not only did it keep if form being lost it was much easier to use because it had more leverage.

Remember you do not just use one whole to tighten the chuck. You go around to each whole and give the chuck a light twist. This makes sure the bit will not slip. I hate the keyless chucks unless you are doing woodworking then they are great. The ****** things slip no matter how hard you hang on if you are drilling steel.

Pox on the keyless chuck! LOL

 

[Steinmetz]

Back in the 50's I worked in a small machine shop drilling thousands of holes a day. I put a round file handle on the key chuck. Not only did it keep if form being lost it was much easier to use because it had more leverage.

Remember you do not just use one whole to tighten the chuck. You go around to each whole and give the chuck a light twist. This makes sure the bit will not slip. I hate the keyless chucks unless you are doing woodworking then they are great. The ****** things slip no matter how hard you hang on if you are drilling steel.

Pox on the keyless chuck! LOL

Tighten all three holes. A representative from the Jacobs Co. told me this years ago. You will avoid those burrs that must be ground off the shank before the drill can be inserted into the drill index.

 

[Davefr]

I hate the keyless chucks unless you are doing woodworking then they are great. The ****** things slip no matter how hard you hang on if you are drilling steel.

Quality keyless chucks don't slip any more then keyed chucks:
1. You need a quality keyless chuck like Albrecht. (vs. a low end Jacobs Multicraft)
2. You don't bottom out the drill in the chuck. You leave about 1/16". That way the geometry of the chuck will make it self tighten.

I have absolutely no slippage with mine drilling large diameter holes in metal.

The drill press belts will slip before the chuck does.

 

[welder4956]

Back in the 50's I worked in a small machine shop drilling thousands of holes a day. I put a round file handle on the key chuck. Not only did it keep if form being lost it was much easier to use because it had more leverage.

I like this idea! I think I have an extra file handle to use on it.

Mine stays in a drawer near the drill press with the bits. I have the same key on my 1/2" portable drill and lost the one that was attached to the cord. So mine sees double duty. One of these days I will get another one.

 

[PCO6]

... 2. You don't bottom out the drill in the chuck. You leave about 1/16". That way the geometry of the chuck will make it self tighten.

I agree and I was taught that it's also done to promote better cooling of the drill bit.