buying a drill press chuck?

[Ed of all trades]

I have decided to fix the old Cummins press I got with some other equipment I got a few years ago. It has a lot of wobble in the chuck but the shaft is pretty good. The bottom of the chuck is .005 out but the shaft is only .0005 out.
Where is a good place to buy a new chuck? Looked online at Grizzly but they only had keyless chucks that seems gold that I can afford. I need a 5/8 chuck with a JT 3 for about 50$ to 75$. I wonder if a keyless chuck would do with a 1" bit in mild steel? Any ideas will be appreciated.

 

[murphy1244]

Try a Fastnal store

 

[Raspy]

I would not go keyless on a drill press. There are some good tool stores around that sell quality machining tools. Usually some hole in the wall place.

A common good brand of chuck is a Jacobs. Far better than the Harbor Freight type stuff.

 

[oldnslo]

McMaster Carr would have them but not sure what the price is. Agree Jacobs is usually very good quality.

 

[mikehaugen]

If you do decide you want keyless, I would look for a used albrecht. I've never had one slip, as long as the bit shank is in good shape.

 

[deerseeker001]

I have agree I would not go keyless.

 

[downsizingnow48]

The Jacobs website (jacobschuck.com) gives their range, specs, and list prices (high). I've bought a couple Jacobs chucks in the last couple years and my experience was that McMaster-Carr has as good a price as anyone on both Jacobs and generic chucks. I think there are a lot of differences among keyless chucks. I have a good Jacobs keyless 1/2" chuck, as long as it doesn't get oily it does a good job. It is handy when you are changing bits frequently, but not all that much faster than a keyed chuck at least for me.

 

[Mace Canute]

I have to wonder why some people feel a keyless wouldn't be suitable. I use a keyless chuck on my BP clone mill with no problem and have drilled holes 1 5/16 in diameter with it through the flanges of an 8 inch I-beam.

I just bought a friend a keyless CKS-16-J6 Llambrich chuck for Christmas this year...it's rated for medium duty industrial usage.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Enco has an import chuck that fits your description: Enco - Guaranteed Lowest Prices on Machinery, Tools and Shop Supplies
It might be a good idea to spend another $7 on a new arbor: Enco - Guaranteed Lowest Prices on Machinery, Measuring Tools, Cutting Tools and Shop Supplies

Travers is another option: Key Type | Chucks - Drill | Machine Tool Accessories - Travers Tool

If you get away from ball bearing models you can get by very cheaply. Enco - Guaranteed Lowest Prices on Machinery, Tools and Shop Supplies You'll need to get the arbor with it since it's not JT3.

Lastly, when all else fails check Amazon. South Bend Lathe SB1372 5/8-Inch by JT3 Drill Chuck - Power Drill Chucks - Amazon.com

 

[Jim Timber]

You might be able to find a rebuild kit for the chuck you have. Ebay is another option and used to be a good place to find used chucks. I haven't looked in a while.

 

[PILOON]

Once needed a chuck to repair a Milwaukee hole hawg. It used a 5/8" thread and prices were wild.

Went to the Jacob's web site and found cross references that allowed me to buy a 1/2" (Ebay) that shared common parts.
That Jacob's web site was simply awesome as to parts breakdown and commonality.

 

[Jim Timber]

I really like my Jacobs super chucks. They run true more often than not, and hold up to a lot of bit slipping before going wonky.

Ones I find super cheap often just need to be broken down and cleaned in some lacquer thinner or acetone due to their grease drying out (makes them stiff). Light oil on reassembly and they're good to go.

 

[Raspy]

Just ran across this site too. Can't link it for some reason.

Zoro Industrial Supplies go to their tools and cutting area to find a big list of chucks.

Hey Mace, I'd like to see that keyless chuck you spoke of. I have no idea about ones that strong. Thanks!

 

[mikehaugen]

I have to wonder why some people feel a keyless wouldn't be suitable. I use a keyless chuck on my BP clone mill with no problem and have drilled holes 1 5/16 in diameter with it through the flanges of an 8 inch I-beam.

I just bought a friend a keyless CKS-16-J6 Llambrich chuck for Christmas this year...it's rated for medium duty industrial usage.

I agree, the albrechts I mentioned earlier are smoother and truer than any jacobs I ever used... of course most of the jacobs I've seen have been used/abused for many years.

The way I was turned on to them was by a guy that worked with me for a while. He had a lot of machining background (I'm an industrial mechanic). We had one sitting around that we didn't use, on day he asked "why don't you use this chuck, they are the best made?" I used it and it was noticeably better than the jacobs that was in there. Well later I found out why we didn't use it, there's an old stubborn guy that is so anti-keyless he would come in everyday and if he noticed the "wrong" chuck in the drill press, he would change it out- even if he didn't use the drill press for weeks. He would then sort of hide the keyless one.

I later found out we had a second albrecht floating around and I tried that one, it was even better.

I have also seen that jacobs has keyless chucks, I would suspect them to be good as well.

 

[Jim Timber]

The only problem with keyless is if you power tap with it. Spinning them backwards under load will open the jaws.

 

[Mace Canute]

Just ran across this site too. Can't link it for some reason.

Zoro Industrial Supplies go to their tools and cutting area to find a big list of chucks.

Hey Mace, I'd like to see that keyless chuck you spoke of. I have no idea about ones that strong. Thanks!

Here's a web page for them.

::: LLAMBRICH :::

 

[Ed of all trades]

Thanks for your input. I am going with a keyless chuck. Still working on finding the best one for the little money I have. Looking at all the sights you all suggested. Thanks again, Ed

 

[BHD]

enco Enco - Guaranteed Lowest Prices on Machinery, Tools and Shop Supplies and msc MSC Industrial Supply Co. | Find Power Tools, Hand Tools, Machine Tools & More are two places I have bought from and I think I have found good value,

 

[BHD]

I find the key less good for the smaller bits , on larger bits 3/8 and above I have had some problems, prefer a key chuck on the larger ones, granted I have only had 1/2 key less chucks

 

[Ed of all trades]

Ordered a 5/8 Grizzly keyless chuck from Grizzly. First thing I have ordered from them, should be here this week. Will let you know what I think after I have tried it a few times. Thanks, Ed