lathe chuck key hex

Hi,

Well as you know square lathe chuck keys are cheap enough (probably in quality too!) and readily available but I need an 1/2" hexagonal lathe chuck key and I cannot find one at a reasonable price.

Checked the classified here. No luck!

Probably somebody here has one but that does not seem reasonable to ask - I've put an ad on the classified anyway.

Does anybody know were I could buy one?

I guess making one from a 1/2" hex af allen key is out of the question?

1/2" hex nut or bolt head on a lever?

well its more that it adds value to the chucck by being complete rather than anything prcatical

Like John Rudd I would think that making a fairly nice looking chuck key would be the answer.

I would opt to turn the body from something like 3/4" or 1" stock,with a long chamfer at the nose end, drill it out for a section of 1/2" hex allen key which you would then fix either by a quick spot weld or by brazing. Add on a simple cross bar at the back end and Bob's your uncle.

And as for adding value, you could always polish the end result to a mirror finish.

So it could be made from anything, but needs to enhance the chuck and doesn't have to be practical but also needs to be cheap?

Sorry cant help....I'd have machined a hex section on the mill, cross drilled, fitted a tommy bar job done....

I wonder why I put a sourcing lathe chuck key when I could have posted a how to make one post

...

oh because I know how to make one.

Why is what I said taken out of context?

" doesn't have to be practical " why would it not be practical, how would it work? I never said that.

"but needs to enhance the chuck " no key can enhance a chuck unless its imbued with magic

"needs to be cheap?" I said reasonable

Edited By one pound on 18/12/2015 13:45:00

If you have a socket set (of spanners) then you could add a 1/2 hex driver.

eg: **LINK**

Depending on where you are, this might come within your 'reasonable' definition.

But then, I would have thought a standard ordinary 1/2 hex Allen key was reasonable, too.

Regards, Tim

Or even a 1/2" hex socket (3/8 or 1/2 square drive) and a short length cut from an Allen key?

Tim

.

So that we understand your motives:

... Is this just to 'restore' a chuck which you plan to sell ?

MichaelG.

Can you get a chuck key with a square over 14.66mm across the flats and machine or grind it down to 1/2" hex?

Martin

I'm using a Britool version of what you suggest at the moment.

I appreciate all the efforts of people suggesting to make one what I dont like is the tongue in cheek derision thats crept in.

In summary there are none available for purchase.

Edited By one pound on 18/12/2015 18:48:05

Edited By JasonB on 20/12/2015 10:10:45

If you are close enough to me I will make you one. No charge.

That is very kind of you to offer. I'm Royston.

Rotagrip stock metric and imperial hex chuck keys in a range of sizes.

Edited By V8Eng on 19/12/2015 20:52:33

Edited By V8Eng on 19/12/2015 20:52:53

I'm locking this thread, Have removed several posts and some text from others.

Edited By JasonB on 20/12/2015 10:13:19