?? Nova Compac Travel Stop

I'd say that it all depends. If you don't mind a jaw (or several of them) flying out at you and possibly hitting you in the head or eye, then go for it. If you will always remember that you must check that it isn't going to happen before you start up the machine, then go for it. If you are like most of us, it really makes good sense not to disable the safety measures engineered into the product by the manufacturer.

Bill

Bill I was told by a Machinist or Machine hobbyist that the Safety was not nescessary. Hower being the cautious type i thought i would ask advice here.What are the conditions that would cause jaw or jaws flying out at you. And if they don,t remove easily with the safety screw removed, then what is the likely condition that would cause them to fly out?

Sincerely Keith

I don't know the inner workings of that particular chuck but do know the Oneway products and also the 3 and 4 jaw chucks found on metal lathes. If you expand the jaws on metal lathes they will screw right out of the chuck. If you start the lathe and the threads of a jaw have not caught, it will go flying. I know the same is the case with the jaws on the Oneway products and assume that the Nova is not much different. As I said, it is up to you -- some folks get away with leaving the chuck key in the chuck and have never been hurt. I got yelled at by John Jordan about that so have learned that lesson.

Bill

Bill

Point well taken. The chap who told me to take it out is used to Metal lathes. Anyways i put it back in . With it out there is no outward play on the jaws. Interesting though, The setscrew can be screwed all the way in and you don,t have a lock then. Unscrew it a couple of revolutions and it stops the jaws. When the lock is in place the jaw movement is only very very marginal. Maybe 2/8 of an inch.. Lock out gives you a very wide margin approx 2 inches.

Thanks Keith

Two things to consider - you can inadvertently expand until the jaws are free, or you can get them so close that starting/stopping torque or vibration can free them. The first should be no surprise, the second could ruin your day if you're in the way.

Either void the warranty.

John sounds like a woodshop instructor I had in college. He drilled into us to never ever ever leave a chuck key in a drill press chuck or lathe chuck or to leave a wrench on a shaper spindle. You should hear some of his stories!

He always insisted that we never relax our grip on a chuck key until it was lying safely on the bench again.............no matter what. No excuses. No exceptions. Period. The man was an extremely good instructor, but he had a hell of a temper. No one wanted to experience his wrath for not following his rule. I still follow those rules.

Barry

PS I still remember the morning a hardwood supplier delivered a semi truckload of kiln-dried lumber.........on a flat bed trailer...........in the pouring rain! Let's just say they never did it again!

Oneway products and

on metal lathes

threads of a jaw have

up to you -- some

So the overall message is leave the safety screw in place where it should be. Thats where it is now.And get used to the amount of play that exists with it in place.Sensible advice. Primary reason for seeking everyones advice was because, I thought he was an expert and could hardly believe he maybe wrong, Appreciate all the advice folks. Believe me!

Sincerely Keith

HS kids can be remarkably obtuse. Self-ejecting keys seemed worth the expense.

When you consider the issue of span of control in an environment full of dangers, rigid rules enforced by peers also seem a good idea.

Many thanks to all for your advice. especially to Al. Al you were excellent. The other tips were much appreciated also

Keith