Thread: Keyed or keyless chuck?

I've only used one keyless chuck on a drill press at the local men's shed. I wouldn't want to use it regularly. I found it an awkward system to use, not at all like a keyless chuck on a battery tool. On a hand drill you can twist and turn you hands and clamp on the chuck with your elbows by your side giving a power grip. On the DP at chest height it just didn't seem ergonomic for me.

Thanks Fuzzie - I didn't think of that aspect

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I have 4 keyless chucks in my shed. One for the DP, 2 for the metal lathe and one for the wood lathe.

The main advantage is of course no worries about lost chuck keys.
It's also bit quicker to replace bits, a lot quicker if the key is lost.

A keyed chuck are able to be tightened more firmly especially if all 3 key points are used in the tightening process.
I have noticed bits are not held as tightly in the keyless chucks, especially when used on the lathes, but that is usually because I have been slack in the tightening process.

Perhaps somewhat counter to this is I've found keyless chucks self tighten on large bits to the point where they can't be loosened by hand - bearing on mid what Fuzzie said.
Intermediate loosening can be performed by inserting a rod (or better still a collet key) in part of the chuck and turning the other.
A few times I have had to wrap some leather round the two rotating parts and get a pair of multi grips to loosen it.

Despite these issues I haven't returned to using keyed chucks.

My DP came with a keyed chuck. I have replaced it with a keyless. One reason for changing was the keyed chuck only went down to 3mm, keyless goes to 1mm.
Do I regret it no. No more hassles with key. Not likely to leave key in chuck or misplace it. If need be I can always change back to the keyed chuck.

Well thank you handy Jack that sounds like common sense. I appreciate the advice

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I replaced by DP with a keyless chuck as well. I do agree that it is not as ergonomic as with a hand drill. The main benefit is not losing a key - or having the use a key ... because that is a pain in the watsit as well. Six of one and half dozen of the other? I think on balance, I just might prefer the keyed chuck as it can get tighter.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Thanks for the reply😊

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I replaced my DP with a keyless chuck as well but it had a lot more run out so I went back to the keyed chuck. I don't think it matters what you use as long as its accurate. I always keep my key in its clips on the DP so the argument about losing it doesn't apply. I also feel I can tighten the chuck better with a key. What ever tickles your fancy!!

So please pardon the stupid question but if I buy a drill press that comes with a keyed chuck can I replace it with a keyless chuck easily?

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Originally Posted by Ruzski

So please pardon the stupid question but if I buy a drill press that comes with a keyed chuck can I replace it with a keyless chuck easily?

Yes - its easy. The DP should come with a metal wedge called a morse taper extractor - the quill is dropped and it will expose a slot into which the extractor can be inserted and driven inwards with a wooden mallet. This will cause ether chuck and attached arbor to drop out. Keep that for Ron. Then add a suitable arbor to the Keyless chuck and push that back into the morse taper hole in the quill and tap it in place with a wooden mallet.

Thanks for the reply I really appreciate it. I'm planning on buying a drill press this week but really not too sure of what or which kind to get. I'm thinking a pedestal drill press is best from what I have read on these forums so I've decided on that. When I looked at the adverts some say they come with a keyless chuck but I didn't know if that was a special feature or not

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I am so torn on this subject. I have had so much grief with keyless chucks and battery tools over the years that I am beginning to hate them. They are so much easier with battery tools, but when they jam up, or slip or fail to lock or whatever they make your life terrible. On power tools when the lock permanently closed they are near on impossible to remove and usually require destroying the tool. I have wanted to murder people before thanks to key less chucks making me so angry!!!

Me, personally, I would never use a keyless chuck on a drill press or lathe simply because of the relatively infrequent tool changing and the superior operation of a keyed chuck. Just my opinion though.

I think the quality of the keyless chuck might play a big part in the experience you have with it. I have good quality German made keyless chucks on my drill press and wood lathe, and couldnt be happier with them.
I have a keyed chuck on my metal lathe, it is not as convenient to use, but I leave it on there because its a 16mm chuck, and I dont have a keyless chuck that big to replace it with ( and dont want to spend the $$$ )

Thanks Pearo and Ironwood for your replies - much appreciated

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