Proper way to tighten keyed drill chuck - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2016, 06:57:41 am
content: How do you tighten keyed drill chuck, do you use the key in one hole or 3 holes? I typically did just one all my life and recently realized perhaps all 3 holes should be used for better centering of the drill bit in the chuck.

author: nogood
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2016, 08:10:32 am
content: Since you are just using it for leverage to tighten it down, using only one should be the way to go.If that affects your centering of the drill then the tolerances on that chuck would have to be pretty wacky.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2016, 08:15:40 am
content: One.However when using a larger stepped shank drill I've found it useful to go around all three to extract the maximum purchase on the shank to prevent slippage.The same applies to a 3 jaw lathe chuck, only the quality and wear of the jaws will determinerepeatablecentering which for most purposes is "close enough".Normal 3 jaw drill chucks are OK but when precision is required like for instance milling, a collet system is then adopted for the precision required.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2016, 08:25:36 am
content: I should add that when using the key in the chuck ensure that the levering force applied to it engages the key and chuck teeth further to prevent key slippage and key tooth damage.Many a good old drill has been rendered useless by finding a replacement key unobtainium.

author: XOIIO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2016, 08:31:16 am
content: I tighten each one so that it's snug, however I lost the key for my drill press so I just used a large round bit of metal and my hand to tighten it up lol. Really need to get a new one if I plan on using it for anything more than plastic again.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 09, 2016, 10:06:35 am
content: I'm all done and dusted using cheap arse chucks and have been for many years and these are the ones that you probably should nip up on at least two points, from my experience better quality chucks seem to hold pretty well without going to town with the key but out of habit I still check two points on all keyed chucks.I have a good collectoon of drilling chucks for both the lathe and mill (all MT3) and also some really nice handheld drills two of which are big arse AEG's, one with a morse 3 taper and the other with a 16mm chuck which interestingly has two points for the chuck key and the third point has an Allen or Hex slot to lock the jaws once they are tightened, none of my mates had ever seen this before and neither had I.Some people may not realise that the jaw geometry is slightly different between a keyed chuck and a keyless chuck, the later generally has sharper jaws to bite into the drill bit but can scour a tool in no time at all if not firmly tightened or the chuck is problematic. I now prefer keyed over keyless but that wasn't always the case and it depends what I am working on, I also have some nice drill bit sets and don't want them scoured particularly when I am also using them in collets for more precise work.

author: Circlotron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2016, 12:30:03 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on May 09, 2016, 08:25:36 amCase in point: about 10 years ago got a drill on special for ten dollars. Eventually lost the key so went back to where I bought it and the only replacement they had was a 4-way one. Cost $14 and none of the keys fit. The closest one was barely useable.

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2016, 12:55:45 pm
content: Just use one hole. The multiple holes are there so you don't have to turn it by hand to find a hole.A lathe scroll chuck could be different. Sometimes, tightening different pinions will give slightly different results, and sometimes tightening the pinions a little at a time gives better results than simply tightening one. Maybe "better" is the wrong word. DIFFERENT. Some of it will have to do with how the jaws where made, especially soft jaws. Anyhow, we're talking very very small changes that are completely inconsequential for most work.

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 09, 2016, 02:06:26 pm
content: Based on my experience you only have to use more than one when the chuck is near the end of its useful life.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2016, 06:01:07 pm
content: Losing a chuck key is easy, so I always take the time to make them a permanent fixture on the drill. Si I have various methods, from brazing a rod ring on the end so I can use a cable tie or wire to fasten it to the drill cord, or using some stainless steel rigging cable to attach it to the drill. That way I still have the keys, even on the old and battered AEG drill that takes 2 people to use if you want to not have it rip your hand apart.

author: donmr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2016, 06:55:45 pm
content: I like to fasten the key to the plug end of the power cord. That helps me remember to unplug it before putting the key into the chuck.

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 09, 2016, 07:27:40 pm
content: There is nothing like a good keyless chuck.

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2016, 07:34:57 pm
content: I have a magnetic plate on all of my machines, and on it are wrenches and whatever else I need to make all of the common adjustments. On my drill press, the chuck key lives there too. It's really a pleasure to need to make a tweak to a machine, reach over, and there's the perfect tool.

author: mmagin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2016, 10:45:23 pm
content: Quote from: AF6LJ on May 09, 2016, 07:27:40 pmThat may be, but there's nothing worse than a bad keyless chuck.

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 11, 2016, 12:00:01 am
content: Quote from: mmagin on May 10, 2016, 10:45:23 pmYou are most correct