Dumbo here lost a chuck key - please help to find an equivalent

[bigtiller]

I looked and looked and looked for a 7/16 wrench one afternoon, it was the only one I had..... later that night after supper, I found it in my pocket. :wrench:

 

[bcp]

That's why I have at least 3 of each common wrench size.

Bruce

 

[lennyzx11]

My carpenter's pencil gets a hole drilled into it and a string from my belt loop.
I wished I could do something about leaving my tape measure between where I measure and where I cut! So far the best I can do is scatter tape measures around everywhere I may be!

 

[dickfoster]

I stuck an old magnet to the frame of my drill press over 20 years ago and that's where the chuck key goes immediately. Either in my hand or on that magnet. Has worked for 20 years. I hope 20 more.

I use the magnet for commonly used drill bits and the chuck key is on a string.

 

[dickfoster]

I looked and looked and looked for a 7/16 wrench one afternoon, it was the only one I had..... later that night after supper, I found it in my pocket. :wrench:

I did that exact same thing the other day with a punch. It wasn't the first time and I doubt it will be the last. However my wife is worse. She was so bad I got her a remote operated key finder for her keychain then she lost her keys and the remote. A couple of weeks ago she even lost a temporary dental bridge in her car and it has yet to turn up so she had to run around for several days with a gap in her yap. LOL At least I feel a little better about myself when she does that kinda stuff.

 

[dickfoster]

My carpenter's pencil gets a hole drilled into it and a string from my belt loop.
I wished I could do something about leaving my tape measure between where I measure and where I cut! So far the best I can do is scatter tape measures around everywhere I may be!

I put a digital readout on my tablesaw to help with the missing tape measure syndrome. I have several tape measures and pencils scattered around and I keep a small tape in my pocket. The trick is remembering what you were doing before you lost whatever it was that you finally found.

 

[Aussiebushman]

Thank you all - especially "Redneck" for the link to the Czech manufacturer - I have sent them an email with the details

If that fails, yes, a new chuck is the only viable solution.

I know others are correct - it will be here somewhere. Maybe if I demolish the shed, the key will materialize in the rubble. The good news is that this incident has already caused a major clean-up with several trailer loads gone to the tip. This is contrary to my usual practice of never throwing away anything that "might come in useful" Amazing how some of those old bits get used when nothing else would do the job. Actually, my dog Jenna or maybe one of the tame possums are the most likely culprits. I don't mind them borrowing tools, if only they would put them back where they found them

Cheers

Alan

 

[oosik]

Honestly - I think I spend more time putting things away, so I can find them next time, than I do actually using anything. I've "lost" more stuff than I care to think about. That's why I have so many duplicate & triplicate tools.

 

[Big Barn]

I stuck an old magnet to the frame of my drill press over 20 years ago and that's where the chuck key goes immediately. Either in my hand or on that magnet. Has worked for 20 years. I hope 20 more.

I've done the same for my drill presses. A little annoying having the swarf accumulate on the magnet, but I haven't come up with a better idea yet.

Terry

 

[dickfoster]

I've done the same for my drill presses. A little annoying having the swarf accumulate on the magnet, but I haven't come up with a better idea yet. View attachment 477261View attachment 477262

Terry

It looks like you're kinda short on drill presses, maybe you should run out and pick up a couple more. LOL Hope some of them use the same key so if you lose one it's no big deal.
Most folks I've seen put the chuck key on a string or a chain. The magnet stuck on mine that I use to hold bits doesn't pick up any metal so I don't recall that ever being a problem. Maybe it's weaker or something.