>> MORSE TAPER DRILL PRESS CHUCK ??

BearKiller · Sep 22, 2009

>>> UPDATE <<<

A few nights ago, my drill-press chuck finally really messed up, with one of the fingers falling way below the rest and staying there.

As I hadn't gotten around to ordering a replacement, I tried one of the HF 1/2" lathe chucks for fit.

I peeped through the knocker-outer hole and saw that there was a sufficient amount of the shank exposed to knock it out later when I get a better one.

So, I went ahead and seated it in the socket.

The first thing I had to drill was four inch holes through the "clevis" pieces for the pusher/puller pole I built (which will also serve as the boom for my boom-pole and the spreader for my twin trailing mower project, sort of a multi-use pole).{a pusher/puller pole is simply a pole with "wagon tongue" style clevis/pin-hitches at both ends; it can be used in place of a chain when towing another truck, thus no slack-jerking action; or, it can PUSH a dead truck up the ramps and onto a flat-bed gooseneck, something I have as yet been unable to accomplish with a log-chain}

I chucked in a 3/16 bit and drilled the pilot holes; then, I chucked in my HF "Silver and Demming" 1/2" shanked 1-inch bit and went to work.

Even with several of those "grab it and sling it" episodes that you always get when a large bit is almost through, the little seven-dollar chuck performed flawlessly.

I admit I had my doubts, especially since it is about one-quarter the size of the other one.

There are several swap-meets coming up, so maybe I will find a genuine Jacobs for a couple bucks.

BearKiller · Nov 2, 2009

>>> UPDATE : <<<

Although my $6.99 H-F MT-2 chuck has so far stood up to the task flawlessly, with nary a slip, and, once the bit is loosened the least, it can still be run smoothly in and out with light finger pressure alone, I didn't know just when the party might crash.

So, at a recent swap-meet, I bought a brand-new 1/32-5/8 MT-2 JT-3 KEYLESS chuck.

This guy is always at the swap-meets and has sold these same chucks for years, always keyless.

"HARVEST" brand; $65.

This thing is awesome, very heavy duty, precision.

The tapers are so precise that when I slid the chuck onto the JT-3 shank, it instantly took hold and stayed; same for the MT-2 portion when I slid it into the press; it instantly grabbed firmly and stayed there, rock solid.

I admit I was very hesitant about a keyless chuck; but, this thing is A-OKAY.

It firmly grips the bit with the lightest amount of finger pressure on the knurled rings and releases so easily it is un-believable, yet holds the bit more firmly than any keyed chuck I have ever used.

So far, so good.

Spudland_Dave · Nov 3, 2009

GE222 said:
A top of the line Jacobs 16N ball bearing super chuck which can open to 0.630 will last forever and will not slip. A new one is pretty pricey. But a used on in great shape can be had for under $90 or so on eBay.

Agreed...except, I will add that if you watch the Enco sales and/or promotions you can usually pick one up for a hair over $90 I know my 14N ended up costing me right around 100.00 brand new, shipped to my door.... I love that chuck, I've drilled holes of all sizes, materials, etc and it has never failed to impress me. I personally fail to see the need for a chuck larger then 1/2" because any bit larger then 1/2" is available with a 1/2" Shank...

My dad picked up a used 16N and we rebuilt it at home...rebuild kits end up costing a bit..Not cheap, but at the same time, not hard to rebuild a chuck.