Question About Drill Chucks

[redsquid2]

As mentioned in another thread,

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/932903-Champion-B-amp-F-Co-Hand-Powered-Drill-Press

I bought an old muscle-power drill press. I want to use it, but it doesn't have a chuck. I am not a chuck expert. Browsing the Internet, I see chucks that cost $100+. I also see chucks that cost $27.00 I saw one that had a tapered shank. I have no idea why it is tapered. I thought A chuck is a chuck, but I guess not all chucks are created equal.

Can I use just any good chuck, or is there some special chuck for this application?

Thanks,

squiddy

 

[Les Snyder]

the tapered shanks are Morse tapers, and come in a variety of sizes, typically used on milling machines (with a draw bar) where you might want to reverse direction of spindle...check the spindle head of your drill press to determine the diameter and pitch of the threads

 

[redsquid2]

the tapered shanks are Morse tapers, and come in a variety of sizes, typically used on milling machines (with a draw bar) where you might want to reverse direction of spindle...check the spindle head of your drill press to determine the diameter and pitch of the threads

Interesting stuff.

What is a "spindle head?" If it's what I think it is, it's just the collar on the lower end of the vertical shaft. It has a set screw in the side of it. I think a chuck would have to be fastened to it using that set screw. I'll check again.

 

[Les Snyder]

sounds like all you need is to find a chuck that has a flat milled in the shaft for the set screw to lock on...I thought it might just be threaded on, sorry... good luck

 

[beau5278]

I saw the picture you posted of the drill press earlier and I think Les is correct,you'll need a chuck with a shaft that's the correct size for the hole in your collar and the shaft needs to have a flat on it for the set screw to seat into.A machinest could probably make you one with threads on it to fit whatever chuck you want to use.

 

[Big Barn]

I recently visited a Menards store & found they carry a LOT of tools & general stuff. They even had a decent selection of chucks & keys, both as as set & individually. Fairly priced. 'Jacobs' is one of the best brands you'll find for chucks (IMO). You can check for them online.

 

[Gollnick]

Buy a $25 chuck and every time you use the thing for years and years, you will wish you sprang the extra $75. Cheap chucks are a pain in the rear end.