Drill Chuck Key Size Chart?

Topics include, Machine Tools & Tooling, Precision Measuring, Materials and their Properties, Electrical discussions related to machine tools, setups, fixtures and jigs and other general discussion related to amateur machining.

Moderators: GlennW, Harold_V

User avatar
Flybynight
Posts: 704
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:27 pm
Location: Beaver Dam,AZ

Drill Chuck Key Size Chart?

Post by Flybynight »

Needing a Chuck Key for a Old 3/8 drill.
Anyone know where to find a Key Size chart?
Everything that I can find on the internet only says the Pilot size.
What about the "Gear" size and tooth?
Jim
Armed Men are Citizens, Unarmed men are Subjects.
User avatar
steamin10
Posts: 6712
Joined: Sun Jun 08, 2003 11:52 pm
Location: NW Indiana. Close to Lake Michigan S. tip

Re: Drill Chuck Key Size Chart?

Post by steamin10 »

Unless a real oddball, most chuck keys will be listed by pilot size. I tend to replace the bent coathanger type of key with a cross drilled type, although I have broken teeth from the cheeper home store variety. I find an old round shoe lace tied to a key for the hand drill by the cord plug, not only reminds you to unplug before changing bits, but make the wherabouts of the key close at hand.

My local home store carries a 4 way key, that I keep around the lathe, as it is mostly universal, and one in the tool box fro the occasion I have a helper that puts the key anywhere. (Grrr).
Big Dave, former Millwright, Electrician, Environmental conditioning, and back yard Fixxit guy. Now retired, persuing boats, trains, and broken relics.
We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smart. My computer beat me at chess, but not kickboxing
It is not getting caught in the rain, its learning to dance in it. People saying good morning, should have to prove it.
Doug4d3s
Posts: 286
Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2009 3:28 pm
Location: St Louis MO, USA

Re: Drill Chuck Key Size Chart?

Post by Doug4d3s »

Flybynight wrote:Needing a Chuck Key for a Old 3/8 drill.
Anyone know where to find a Key Size chart?
Everything that I can find on the internet only says the Pilot size.
What about the "Gear" size and tooth?
Jim
The gear sizes (diameters) and tooth-counts are similar but not quite standardized.

For this reason, when re-assembling a Jacobs-type chuck--you need to nudge the outer collar up and down while test-fitting the key until it fits right again.
User avatar
Flybynight
Posts: 704
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:27 pm
Location: Beaver Dam,AZ

Re: Drill Chuck Key Size Chart?

Post by Flybynight »

Doug4d3s wrote: The gear sizes (diameters) and tooth-counts are similar but not quite standardized.

For this reason, when re-assembling a Jacobs-type chuck--you need to nudge the outer collar up and down while test-fitting the key until it fits right again.
yes I have a 4 way and two have the right size pilot hole, but one gear works, and the other is too large. I want to buy a Tee handle key but don't know what to order?
I guess there is not chart any where.
Thanks
Jim
Armed Men are Citizens, Unarmed men are Subjects.
Rosco-P
Posts: 226
Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2010 4:10 pm

Re: Drill Chuck Key Size Chart?

Post by Rosco-P »

There is a chart in the Enco catalog. use-Enco.com But it's for Rolm, Jacobs and "jacobs like" chucks. You haven't stated the make on yours. For Jacobs chucks, the model number will tell you which key fits.
User avatar
Flybynight
Posts: 704
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:27 pm
Location: Beaver Dam,AZ

Re: Drill Chuck Key Size Chart?

Post by Flybynight »

Thanks. I have seen the list of chucks.
I don't know the make of mine.
I have a 4 way that works. But I would like a good T handle one.
That is why I needed a chart that tells the hole size along with the tooth size.
Like I stated doesn't seem to be a chart like that.
Thanks again
Jim
Armed Men are Citizens, Unarmed men are Subjects.
Rosco-P
Posts: 226
Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2010 4:10 pm

Re: Drill Chuck Key Size Chart?

Post by Rosco-P »

What's the size of the pilot and the pinion on the key? I'll check my Jacobs key collection and see if it matches to a particular #. Here's my guess, it's a KG1, K2, K30 or K32
User avatar
Flybynight
Posts: 704
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:27 pm
Location: Beaver Dam,AZ

Re: Drill Chuck Key Size Chart?

Post by Flybynight »

The pilot is 1/4 inch.
But I have TWO 1/4" on my 4 way. One works and the other the gear is to big.
Thanks
Jim
Armed Men are Citizens, Unarmed men are Subjects.
Rosco-P
Posts: 226
Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2010 4:10 pm

Re: Drill Chuck Key Size Chart?

Post by Rosco-P »

What is the size of the pinon of the key? That should determine the key number.
User avatar
Flybynight
Posts: 704
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:27 pm
Location: Beaver Dam,AZ

Re: Drill Chuck Key Size Chart?

Post by Flybynight »

How do you figure the pinon size?
By mesaurement, or number of teeth?
Or something else?
Jim
Last edited by Flybynight on Sat Feb 05, 2011 10:41 am, edited 1 time in total.
Armed Men are Citizens, Unarmed men are Subjects.
PixMan
Posts: 528
Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2010 9:30 am
Location: Spencer MA USA

Re: Drill Chuck Key Size Chart?

Post by PixMan »

There's a listing of the various Jacobs chuck keys in their website, but of course it only references the pin size and the chuck model number to match them up.

http://www.jacobschuck.com/images/produ ... essory.pdf

I guess you've have to have some Jacobs chucks kicking around to be able to gauge the tooth size and match to a key for other makes of chucks.
Rosco-P
Posts: 226
Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2010 4:10 pm

Re: Drill Chuck Key Size Chart?

Post by Rosco-P »

Flybynight, just measure the od of the pinion. If you want to give me a tooth count, that will verify the correct key. I've got a number of spare keys, I've picked up.
Post Reply