Drill Chuck Question

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hunter-27 said:
If the only two varibles to consider were "keyed" or "keyless" which is the best option?
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My personal preference would be the "keyed".... only because as I get older, I'm getting more and more arthritis in my hands and don't have the strength to turn the keyless tight enough or to loosen them once they are tight... as to which would be better, your personal choice.
I do make sure I have the keys on a string close to where I work with the chucks... just so I can keep up with them.
 
That really depends, I think. I use some really big bits, some over an inch, and the keyed chucks seem to hold onto the bits a little better. However, for smaller bits, I think I'd probably prefer a keyless (all I have are keyed chucks).
 
With me it depends on the use. I prefer a keyless chuck for a hand drill but for my drill press or lathe then it's keyed all the way. The keyed chucks seem to hold the drill bits tighter and the keyless chuck offers convenience.
 
I favor the keyed chuck. I've dealt with keyless chucks, and the only one that was always reliable was the one on a Makita 3/8" cordless drill. All the rest (2 Skil cordless, 3 Porter-Cable cordless, 1 Black and Decker cordless, and 3 or so J A Pan cordless) could not be depended upon to hold the bit snugly enough in use. (Must admit I was using these tools during the course of my job, to install and remove 6mm bolts, so its asking a lot from the tool.)
 
ozmandus said:
I do make sure I have the keys on a string close to where I work with the chucks... just so I can keep up with them.
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Chuck; I put a small rare earth magnet on the cylinder end of the chuck. Use KB WELD epoxy and it will never come loose! Stick the chuck in the same place and you will never lose it!

I have a tail stock chuck, and I stick the key to the chuck so they are always together.
 
randyrls said:
Chuck; I put a small rare earth magnet on the cylinder end of the chuck. Use KB WELD epoxy and it will never come loose! Stick the chuck in the same place and you will never lose it!

I have a tail stock chuck, and I stick the key to the chuck so they are always together.
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Rare earth magnet and some epoxy. Hmmm, that's a darn good idea.
Thanks Randy.
 
If you are drilling ANY metal, you will appreciate a keyed chuck, even with smaller bits. You might be able to get by with keyless, but it will be with luck.
 
The keyless chucks I've had experience with don't always hold the bits without slippage. Can't argue with the fact that they are convenient; but it is a major annoyance to be unable to get them tight enough to grip the Forstner bits I use for pepper mills.

If you have bits with hex shafts rether than round shafts, it is not such a problem.
 
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