Shopsmith Forums

I can't say I've ever left the key in the chuck. It just naturally stays in my hand when I pull my hand away from the chuck. Now, I have misplaced it. But I usually always find it within reach of the Shopsmith. On my dedicated ER drill press, I use the hole in the "top" of the carriage (where the carriage spacing bolt would go) as the chuck holder. Sometimes I forget to return it there.

Finally got signed in to the correct Flickr account.... here is how I store my key...

Thanks
Geo

chuck key storage 1 by EagleTa2, on Flickr

chuck key storage 2 by EagleTa2, on Flickr

FWIW, all three holes should be used when tightening.

Keyless chucks vary widely in their effectiveness in gripping.

I have a B&D that I replaced the chuck with a one from a defunct drill.

I have a Dewalt that has a very effective keyless chuck.

I use the slippy one as a hand operated drill.



Looks can be deceiving(especially when gazing upon far east produced stuff by the clone experts).

I hesitate to equate stuff based upon pix only, but pix can provide clues.


P.S. I 'store' my chuck keys 'IN' the chucks.

JPG40504 wrote:FWIW, all three holes should be used when tightening.
Looks .

That I did not know. What is the theory behind that suggestion.

forrestb wrote:They are used all over machine shops to eliminate the chance of that pesky key being left in the chuck when the press is turned on - big ouch can result.

I have a Grizzly in my Delta drill press and have had for several years. A slight twist between the upper collar and the chuck has always tightened the bit and I have not had any slips, even with large Forstner bits.

That said, I agree with others that one is not needed in my SS. But I think the price is reasonable for a high quality chuck: one that won't slip in use.

Forrest

Thanks Forrest. {insert huge sigh of relief}

I just clicked Submit on my order for one, not ten minutes ago. And then I read a number of good reasons why it was a mistake to do so.
But your point about quality for price washed away the layer of OOPS that had settled over me.

I was splurging on a gift card (where one buys something one would otherwise never consider), so it aint too bad anaway. But then too I realized that my recent experiences with keyless on my Porter-Cable drill makes me very confident in the newest technology, and I definitely consider convenience for this item a Major feature. (Perhaps moreso because for many many years of using chuck keys I've never liked the little buggers, tho I will admit the SS is perhaps the easiest to use I've seen.)

And then there's this "nit-picking at nano-inches" accuracy 'jones' I've fallen prey to... (solved)

ryanbp01 wrote:

fredsheldon wrote:How about those days you misplace your key or if you are like me forget where you put it down last

That's why I have two keys: o...BPR

Hah. Then I'd have two keys missing.
I'm the guy who buys nail clippers 6 at a time. And realizing full well that it's NOT a one-time purchase!

;-(

fredsheldon wrote:That I did not know. What is the theory behind that suggestion.

If all three holes are used when tightening, bits are straighter and holes more square. My brother was watching me drill pen blanks and offered the question why mine were square and his weren't? After he began tightening all three his problem ended. Jim

keakap wrote:Thanks Forrest. {insert huge sigh of relief}

I just clicked Submit on my order for one, not ten minutes ago. A

Now we have someone in our midst who is actually getting one and can provide a review...that is assuming SS doesn't have it backordered for 3 months

dgale wrote:N...w...that is assuming SS doesn't have it backordered for 3 months

I checked my email to see if there was a Backordered message, but the email was backordered...

;-)

Here is my solution. I love it and I am going to apply it across the board as soon as I get enough speaker magnets. I also have about a 3 inch one on the drill press in the farm shop that holds the key and about 3 center-drill bits. I also have about a 4" one attached to a 30" piece of broom handle that is invaluable for picking up dropped items especially if you drop something in grass or gravel.

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As far as keyless chucks go I have started buying bits and accessories for my cordless drills that have hex shanks or 3 sided shanks so only moderate tightening is needed.


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