New Shop - Missing Chuck Key

tgamel · Post by **tgamel** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 8:20 pm

Today I moved into the new shop and spent 6 hours in the shop playing around with the 500. This is really the first time I have had to give the SS a workout since I purchased it 6 months ago and it was a great day. Used the band saw for the first time, made some extra wooden bar clamps and generally used the SS in every possible mode except the lathe. Man did I make a big ole mess and had a great day!

The only hiccup I had was that I cannot find the key for my drill chuck. I would have sworn I got one when I purchased the machine a few months ago, but everything has been packed up for the last five months. When I went through the box where everything was, there was no key. I used an improvised key as a stop gap, but it was too small and I do not want to damage the drill chuck using an improper key. Does anyone have an idea about what size key might fit this chuck?

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Cushman Chuck #C13LS (capacity 2 - 13mm or 5/64 – ½"), came with my 1983 SS Mark V.

I could probably take it into Lowe's or Home Depot, but thought maybe one of you guys would know what size or where to get a replacement key......Thanks

Todd

bobgroh · Post by **bobgroh** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 9:49 pm

The SS chuck uses a standard Jacobs chuck key. At one time, I had the number but no longer. My local Ace Hardware has a selection of 5 or 6 of them and I got the last one there (the darned things are worse than socks!). Should be no problemo. The Jacobs site has a lot of the info - there are a variety of different sizes.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 1:37 am

I fail to understand why it is a good idea to assume a jacobs chuck key would fit a cushman chuck.

Then again I do not know that one will not!

Hole size and gear pitch etc. are the variants.

holsgo · Post by **holsgo** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 7:33 am

Sears used to carry an assortment.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 8:03 am

I don't know if this will help but the Cushman Chucks appear to all use the K3 key.

garys · Post by **garys** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 9:22 am

Menards carries a good assortment of chuck keys, but with most products being built in Asia these days, don't be surprised if they are some kind of Asian metric that doesn't quite fit.

peterm · Post by **peterm** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 10:30 am

I have the same Cushman chuck (not as shiny as Todds) and the key seen in the foreground fits both the Cushman and the SS one on my drillpress............unfortunately there is nothing written on the key to identify it. The key in back has teeth that seem to fit but the "nub" is a bit too long for correct engagement. Sorry I cannot be more helpful.
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foxtrapper · Post by **foxtrapper** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 2:50 pm

http://www.grahamtool.com/search.aspx?f ... category=6

They've got two 4-way chuck keys, with magnetic center to stick to things.

I've used a 4-way or universal chuck key, rather handy to have around.

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 9:31 pm

It would probably be easiest to just take it to Lowes or Home Depot and try out the options available. That way you'll know for sure it's the right fit.

nil · Post by **nil** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 10:01 pm

tgamel wrote:Cushman Chuck #C13LS (capacity 2 - 13mm or 5/64 – ½"), came with my 1983 SS Mark V.

I could probably take it into Lowe's or Home Depot, but thought maybe one of you guys would know what size or where to get a replacement key......Thanks

Todd

Or... You could enter the 1990s:

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/dr_chuck.htm