Help on key for 4-jaw chuck needed

Ian P, either use the speed wrench from you socket set, my 3/8" one fits my chucks, or make up a driver for the battery drill/screw driver. I have an old battery drill powered by my workshop low voltage DC supply plugged in near the lathe.

Ian S C

"Makes a lot more sense than the stupid plastic guards that offer zero protection and maximum inconvenience fitted to much kit."

Semi agreed! Semi in that a spring on the chuck key would drive me mad and I would soon remove it, and semi in that the stupid plastic guards do offer zero protection and maximum inconvenience. All the plastic guard seems to do for me is offer a perception of protection, a bit like fitting seat belts to an old (very old now) Morris Minor that was never designed to have them; you think you are safe wearing that seat belt but are you?

The machine being in one's own workshop, with only yourself to worry about, one can always remove said stupid plastic guards!

My lathe, built back in the 1960's/early 70's when people still employed common sense, has no stupid plastic guard over the chuck, or interlock fitted to prevent me opening the cover over the headstock gears and belt drive with the machine running for that matter. I like it that way - wonder how we managed to survive all these years?!

Sorry, this seems a bit off topic, will stop now.

Just for the record, I'm with the "make the key myself" brigade, either using mild steel or a HT bolt, would serve well for quite some time if made properly. When it was no longer good, I'd make another, move on and not think about it anymore.

Chris.

Update to my original post;...

Struggled to buy one - Xmas and new year shut downs probably - needed to use the 4 jaw so took an 8mm T-bar allen wrench and ground a snug fitting square on it. Crude but functional.

Might just add that I have the habit of clocking to within a couple of thou, and get the final alignment by tightening even more to to high side - hence something tough. Always use thin aluminium packing pieces to prevent damage and it has enough give to get that final alignment.

Re-spring loaded chuck keys - spring is binned immediately - irritating in the extreme.

Trevor