Jacobs chuck

"Larry Blanchard" wrote: (clip)the teeth are

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Must be pretty rare--I've never even seen such a thing. But--I do have a suggestion. Sometimes, when I am desperate, I have been able to improvise by using the shank of a drill bit and a screwdriver. It's clumsy, but it works. So, if I had your problem, I would weld a piece of roundstock to a good-sized screwdriver, and maybe heat, hammer and grind the blade to fit. What? Don't have acetylene? Where are you--maybe someone in your neighborhood will offer to help. Maybe it will be me, if you're in the SF Bay Area.

"Larry Blanchard" wrote: (clip) no chuck key and I've been unable to find one. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Also, post to rec.crafts.metalworking--very knowlegeable and helpful group.

1. There are only a small number (probably 4 sizes) of Jacobs Chuck Keys. If you contact Jacobs just ask what size Chuck Key you need for your model chuck. It might be helpful if you tell them the maximum size drill it takes.

Hi Larry, Like Leo, I've never seen a spiral Jacobs chuck. I guess the gear on the sleeve is a bevelled spiral with the key (pinion) to match? I think Leo's fix is about the best that you can expect to do given the likelihood of finding this rare key, but you never know and I'm often wrong.

Is the mount intact and is it a Morse taper that fits your lathe spindles or is it an open bore headstock chuck? Seems strange to use spiral gears for a small general purpose chuck. Wonder what it was designed for? I assume the estate sale was a bargain or you wanted to collect an unusual chuck, since key or keyless Jacobs chucks usuable for wood lathes range from about $10.00 H.F. to $45.00 C.S.

Anyway thanks, you sure put my little gray ones to work, Larry. BTW Leo, I took a look at RCM. If you guys here think I'm wordy and full of it, take a peek over there. :)

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

in or you wanted to

It's a #2 Morse taper, which fits both my lathe and my drill press. An d it's not a "small" chuck. Goes up to 1/2" instead of the 3/8" common today. And yes, I got a deal - $2.

At least it'll be a deal if I can find a key :-).

Read my post again, Frank. It's got "spiral" teeth. All of todays chucks have straight cut teeth. And, as I also said, I did talk to Jacobs.

Aha! I'll try that. Thanks.

How about "mickey mousing" it?

I couldn't find one in a quick scan of their site, but Harbor Freight sells a rubber sleeve that sort of converts it to a poor man's keyless chuck..

Mac