Several years ago I was gifted a tabletop (small) Central Machinery drill press. A chuck key was provided but it wasn't original to the drill and while it worked okay, the gear fit wasn't perfect and over time the key has become worn down from the mismatch of the gears as well as soft Asian steel used on the key. The chuck on the drill itself still looks brand new.
I love my little drill and want to purchase a replacement chuck key. I called Harbor Freight and they said they didn't sell the keys separately, but I could buy a new replacement chuck and the key would come with it. I see lots available online but am not sure which one I should purchase.
Anyone know of a correct replacement chuck key?
Thanks.
Need Central Machinery drill press chuck key
- Benjamin Maggi
- Posts: 1409
- Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:38 pm
- Location: Albany, NY
Need Central Machinery drill press chuck key
"One cannot learn to swim without getting his feet wet." - Benjamin Maggi
- Building: 7.25" gauge "Sweet Pea" named "Catherine"
- Building: 7.25" gauge "Sweet Pea" named "Catherine"
-
- Posts: 559
- Joined: Fri May 18, 2012 11:46 pm
- Location: Curtis, WA
Re: Need Central Machinery drill press chuck key
No numbers or identifying things on the chuck itself?
Gregg
Just let go of it, it will eventually unplug itself.
Just let go of it, it will eventually unplug itself.
Re: Need Central Machinery drill press chuck key
Regards, Marv
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Re: Need Central Machinery drill press chuck key
I dealt with that for a long time and then one of the chuck jaws broke, so I just replaced the whole chuck with a used Jacobs. IIRC, the taper was a 33JT, but your DP might be different. In the end, it was about the same cost as a new chuck key and the Jacobs works way better and smoother than the original ever did. YMMV
FWIW, I wish there was some kind of standard for chuck keys, but especially on the no-name stuff, it's a guessing game as to what will fit it. I don't think I even ever found a table of teeth, pinion (is that what the nub on the end is called?) diameter, etc. That would be nice for cross referencing to others.
Good luck!
edit: just looked at the pdf that Marv posted. that is a helpful document. I wish I would have found that years ago! Still doesn't say the diameter or pitch of the teeth, though.
Dave
FWIW, I wish there was some kind of standard for chuck keys, but especially on the no-name stuff, it's a guessing game as to what will fit it. I don't think I even ever found a table of teeth, pinion (is that what the nub on the end is called?) diameter, etc. That would be nice for cross referencing to others.
Good luck!
edit: just looked at the pdf that Marv posted. that is a helpful document. I wish I would have found that years ago! Still doesn't say the diameter or pitch of the teeth, though.
Dave
Re: Need Central Machinery drill press chuck key
It might be worth keeping one of these in your toolbox...
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sunex-4-Way ... /300685499
Some more data...
https://www.icscuttingtools.com/catalog/page_132.pdf
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sunex-4-Way ... /300685499
Some more data...
https://www.icscuttingtools.com/catalog/page_132.pdf
Regards, Marv
Home Shop Freeware
http://www.myvirtualnetwork.com/mklotz
Home Shop Freeware
http://www.myvirtualnetwork.com/mklotz
Re: Need Central Machinery drill press chuck key
American science and surplus in Chicago has had four way keys in past.
- Benjamin Maggi
- Posts: 1409
- Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:38 pm
- Location: Albany, NY
Re: Need Central Machinery drill press chuck key
Thanks everyone. I will check out a 4-way chuck key and see how that works.
"One cannot learn to swim without getting his feet wet." - Benjamin Maggi
- Building: 7.25" gauge "Sweet Pea" named "Catherine"
- Building: 7.25" gauge "Sweet Pea" named "Catherine"