Last night I dropped my chuck key and

Junior

Thats why I keep telling my wife that the piles of shavings are a good thing. You can drop a scary sharp chisel and not lose the edge. Woodcraft carries the Nova Chuck as does Craft supply and Packard. I am sure they have a source for a new key.

Alex

While it is not generally a good thing to follow up one's own posting, I thought I'd give an update. I googled for a replacement and the cost of the key and shipping was bit steep. So I called Packard. I've ordered from them in the past and had a very good experience. Come to find out they are out of the keys but got a name of an individual who repairs the chucks here in the US. I then went to the Woodcraft site (I bought the lathe, chuck, and several tools from the new store horth of Indy). I spoke with one fo the tech guys who said, they had them in stock but needed to get the part number and that they were about $30. He laos mentioned the newer ones were a bit better than the originals. He called back a few minutes later and transferred me to one of the shipping folks. She got my name, address and all that and said it was on its way. "Howe much?" I asked. "No charge" she said. Once I have it in my little paws I believe Woodcraft will get a bit more of my business.

-kevin

I agree that you got very good service and at the right price from Woodcraft. On the other hand, I've been using Oneway chucks (a Stronghold and a Talon) for years, have dropped the chuck keys on a regular basis and they 'just keep on ticking'. A broken chuck key?

Bill

How did it break exactly? They appear to be pretty tough. The only problem I have with mine is that the pin holding the end on keeps dropping out ...

There are at least 3 parts to the key. There is the T-handle, there is the 'working part', that is, the grooved part of the key, and inside between the handle and the working part is a small bit of cork-like material. Dropping it to the shop floor - yep, I had just swept up, the key must have hit at just the right angle to break the working part. The material seemed to look quite a bit like what we had called pot metal, kindova fine grainy looking texture. Anyways, I am certainly pleased that Woodcraft will be sending a replacement gratis.