I've got so many damn chucks... and so many damn lost chuck keys. You know what...
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- Thread starter Ryan
- Start date
I've got so many damn chucks... and so many damn lost chuck keys. You know what...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.
Diesel_Crawler
Well-known member
It would nice to find one of those that work, I have a little parts box with around 10-15 of them where one key fits and the other 3 wont 
Thanks for the link.
Thanks for the link.
It would nice to find one of those that work, I have a little parts box with around 10-15 of them where one key fits and the other 3 wont
Thanks for the link.
I got the same problem. I have a handful also I picked up over the years and maybe one or two ends work and the other two are worthless.
I just now more **** retentive on keeping the original chuck with whatever piece of equipment I buy.
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bad_idea
Well-known member
On my hand drill I zip tied the chuck key to the end of the cord by the plug. It keeps me from losing the chuck key and it makes you unplug the drill to swap out bits. Safety first! On my pneumatic drill I store the chuck key chucked in the drill chuck. While in use I try like hell to not lose it! Drill press the chuck key goes in the drawer with the drill bits, one day I will put a bracket on the side of the press to hold the chuck key.
Long story short, $25 for a chuck key?!?! I think I will work hard to keep hold of the originals.
Long story short, $25 for a chuck key?!?! I think I will work hard to keep hold of the originals.
KPSquared
Well-known member
That's a great idea, but like was said, I have a drawer full of "universal" chuck keys that only work on one of the four ends.
We've always either zip tied or taped the key to the plug end of the cord as well. The one that I've lost more than once over the years is the drill press. Hence the drawer full. . . If I could even get one of the ends on that magnetic one to work, I'd buy it and stick it to the side and be done with it.
We've always either zip tied or taped the key to the plug end of the cord as well. The one that I've lost more than once over the years is the drill press. Hence the drawer full. . . If I could even get one of the ends on that magnetic one to work, I'd buy it and stick it to the side and be done with it.
I think the prior comments pretty much sum things up. There's nothing new about the concept of a multiple-head chuck key. Usually two of the heads don't seem to fit anything, and even with a magnet, it can still get lost. Also for the $25.95 price tag, I'm a lot more motivated to keep the original keys that come with my power tools. (I haven't lost one yet.) On the plus side, at least the thing is made in the USA.
Jim C.
Jim C.
ollie
Member
I keep a bunch of swap meet 'universal' numb chucks (as I call them) in my pants while working. 50% success rate when needed on various gizmos. Don't keep them in your back pocket, they can hurt when you sit on them
Jawn
Well-known member
For the drill press, I find a magnetic parts tray works well. Slap it on the belt cover and keep the key in it. It also makes a convenient place for loose drill bits if you're swapping back and forth between sizes.
I'll have to try the aforementioned tip about keeping the air drill key in the chuck. However, my electric drills are all keyless so I guess no zip-tying a key to the cord for me.
I'll have to try the aforementioned tip about keeping the air drill key in the chuck. However, my electric drills are all keyless so I guess no zip-tying a key to the cord for me.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
On my DP I welded some folded link chain to the key, and bolted the other end to the motor bracket. For corded hand drills I use the tied to the cord end technique.
I like the mag tool tray idea for loose drills...
Hmmm strong magnets and a small drill index for common sizes.... Better still!
I like the mag tool tray idea for loose drills...
Hmmm strong magnets and a small drill index for common sizes.... Better still!
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Richard D
Well-known member
I like the Made In USA part...maybe the others had weird metric sizes?
rlitman
Well-known member
On my drill press, and lathe, I screwed a retractable keychain to a super magnet, and put the chuck key on the end of the chain. The super magnet is so strong, it's like the keychain spool is bolted to the machines.
I can grab the key, use it, and when it let go, it flies right back home.
I can grab the key, use it, and when it let go, it flies right back home.
ArkTinkerer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2010
- Messages
- 369
Amazon has these for less. Lisel brand I think? I've been looking for some that aren't made out of pot metal!
Bruce Lancaster
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2006
- Messages
- 1,642
Rare earth magnets are great things...you do need to place them VERY carefully in a work environment or you will find a 6" ball of shavings, cotter pins, and missing bits.
Also they need to be placed so their bond to storage location is stronger than their bond to tool being stored, or as your key approaches the work it will **** up all those shavings.
This: http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?cat=1&p=42363 is an excellent source...they have mounting cups and hardware to secure magnets as well.
Also they need to be placed so their bond to storage location is stronger than their bond to tool being stored, or as your key approaches the work it will **** up all those shavings.
This: http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?cat=1&p=42363 is an excellent source...they have mounting cups and hardware to secure magnets as well.
Adding to what Sifu Landcaster says
there's and easy solution to the shavings stuck to the magnet. You can use a plastic shopping bag or a ziplock or sandwich baggy over the magnet. When shavings have accumulated you pull the plastic away and replace it. I learned this after struggling with the issues years ago and a buddy showed me what his father taught him. I've used the trick many times when using a magnet to pick up dropped items into places with metal dust or shavings.Dan_inthewind
Well-known member
It is a nice tool and thanks for the link. But I have drills that need chucks, saws that need insert keys and on and on. I bought a roll of small bundgee cord and a bag of 3 inch ties. each tool has its chuck or key attached with a lenght of bungee. wrap the bundgee around tight, tie it tight, snip off the tie and I am good to go.
Myra
Well-known member
Earth magnets rule!!!!!! Strongest I've ever seen..
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I pulled some magnets (Neodymium ?) out of a larger (older) 5-1/4" computer disk drive. DON'T get them stuck together! I broke one getting it back apart
junk4dummies
Banned
I have 3 solutions.
1. With single chuck keys I just chuck it up in the drill press or chuck on drill. it is there every time you need it.
2. Years ago they made good rubber chuck key holders that slipped over the coard and you slipped the key into them. The types varied a litte. They lasted for 30 years. Then they started making them out of fake rubber/plastic. They broke after a couple of years. Now on an electic drill I just take good 3M electrical tape and tape it onto the cord. It last for a year of heavy use and you just re-tape it if it goes bad.
I have all my drills in boxes in the drawer. I have drill files full of fractional, number and letter drills. I have several thouand drills. When You have been buing junk, estates and mini storage units for 50 years you really end up with that many.
3. Back when I worked in a machine shop durning my highschool years I took the drill press chuck key and got a nice large round file handle and put it on the chuck key. This gave me much more levrage to crank the drill chuck tight. My first job was drilling, reaming and taping holes. I did thousands of holes every week. I learned how to sharpen a drill bit by hand on a bench grinder and even though I have a very expensive comercial drill grinder I do all my bits under a 1/2" by hand to this day. This file handle made it easy on the fingers when I used it. I still have the same chuck with the same handle in my machinis tool box to this day. The only tools I have lost are the ones my family forget to put back. I raised so much hell they don't touch anyting in my shop. They all have thier own tools to loose.
When you chuck the drill bits, reamers, counter sinks and bores into the chuck you need to tighten all three holes. I know eveyone skips it but that is the way I was taught in trade school
I still have my first tool box that I got back in 1955 and I still have all the tools in the box. How do you loose a chuck key. I know my family looses everything but I seldom misplace anything and I never loose it unless I drop it over the side of the boat.
1. With single chuck keys I just chuck it up in the drill press or chuck on drill. it is there every time you need it.
2. Years ago they made good rubber chuck key holders that slipped over the coard and you slipped the key into them. The types varied a litte. They lasted for 30 years. Then they started making them out of fake rubber/plastic. They broke after a couple of years. Now on an electic drill I just take good 3M electrical tape and tape it onto the cord. It last for a year of heavy use and you just re-tape it if it goes bad.
I have all my drills in boxes in the drawer. I have drill files full of fractional, number and letter drills. I have several thouand drills. When You have been buing junk, estates and mini storage units for 50 years you really end up with that many.
3. Back when I worked in a machine shop durning my highschool years I took the drill press chuck key and got a nice large round file handle and put it on the chuck key. This gave me much more levrage to crank the drill chuck tight. My first job was drilling, reaming and taping holes. I did thousands of holes every week. I learned how to sharpen a drill bit by hand on a bench grinder and even though I have a very expensive comercial drill grinder I do all my bits under a 1/2" by hand to this day. This file handle made it easy on the fingers when I used it. I still have the same chuck with the same handle in my machinis tool box to this day. The only tools I have lost are the ones my family forget to put back. I raised so much hell they don't touch anyting in my shop. They all have thier own tools to loose.
When you chuck the drill bits, reamers, counter sinks and bores into the chuck you need to tighten all three holes. I know eveyone skips it but that is the way I was taught in trade school
I still have my first tool box that I got back in 1955 and I still have all the tools in the box. How do you loose a chuck key. I know my family looses everything but I seldom misplace anything and I never loose it unless I drop it over the side of the boat.
RustyChris
Member
I purchased one of those off eBay for my ShopSmith Chuck (1/2"), it's funtional....but not great quality. Mine was made in China...and it just doesn't fit tight. Another lesson of 'get what you pay for'...I ended up springing for a Jacobs chuck key. BIG difference....
