Where do you put your chuck key?

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Where do you put your chuck key?

This topic has 48 replies, 31 voices, and was last updated 11 May 2020 at 10:00 by MC Black 2.

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8 May 2020 at 13:03 #470076
Sam Spoons
Participant
@samspoons83065
The things you need close at hand when working in the lathe? Things like keys for the QC tool post and tool inserts and the toolholder needed for the job but not for the current operation?

The obvious place for the chuck key on the Boxford is on top of the headstock with the spare tool holders on the back of the cabinet behind the bed but is that good practice (I always stop the lathe before reaching for anything but leaning over to get a different toolholder seems wrong somehow)?
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8 May 2020 at 13:03 #10220
Sam Spoons
Participant
@samspoons83065
8 May 2020 at 13:09 #470079
MC Black 2
Participant
@mcblack2
Maybe this is a naive answer, but I use a magnet to attach the chuck key for each machine to the machine.

I have scrounged unwanted loudspeakers, dismantled them and extracted the magnets.

I tried the same with a failed computer hard drive – but the magnets were NOT a useful shape!

MC Black
8 May 2020 at 13:10 #470080
Steviegtr
Participant
@steviegtr
Got these when on offer at Lidl.

Steve.
8 May 2020 at 13:51 #470096
Ex contributor
Participant
@mgnbuk
I also use a Lidl magnetic product, but a small magnetic shelf attached to the Myford base below the headstock. A similar shelf at the tailstock end holds centre drills etc.

These shelves don't hold a lot of weight, but are convenient for smaller items. IIRC they came in a set of 3 different lengths or as a single longer item. The magnets just hold the shelf, so don't magnetise what is placed in them like the magnetic rails can.

Nigel B.
8 May 2020 at 13:58 #470101
mechman48
Participant
@mechman48
I have a couple of shelves behind & at the side of my lathe..

George.
8 May 2020 at 14:09 #470104
Sam Spoons
Participant
@samspoons83065
This is giving me a serious case of 'workshop envy' mine is very much a work in progress as I endeavour to bring order to 20 years of chaos. I am at least able to use the place now but it is still not somewhere I would willingly post photos of…..
8 May 2020 at 14:12 #470106
Vic
Participant
@vic
Mine goes on a magnet on the head stock, specifically the belt cover.
8 May 2020 at 14:17 #470109
Sam Spoons
Participant
@samspoons83065
That sounds like a more practical solution for my workshop in it's present half finished state. Cheers everybody.
8 May 2020 at 14:31 #470111
Bob Stevenson
Participant
@bobstevenson13909
The method that was constatnly drummed into me as a youngster has (with modifications) remained with me;…….everything hangs on the wall rack behind the lathe…….When you are ready to turn on the lathe, you pull the lathe over twice by hand (ie one complete revolution)…you put your finger on the start button…..you look at the wall rack..IS ANYTHING MISSING?….if not then push button…if something IS out of place/missing, then WHERE is it?

Nowadays in my 'micro workshop' I don't have a wall rack but everything is in the small chest of drawers under, and to the right of, the lathe. I still pull over the lathe by hand and still glance into the open 'lathe' drawer before pushing the button…..nearly 60 years later!

…..Nobody should be concerned by super nice, well ordered, clean, incredibly well equipped workshops…….Do the owners actually make anything? I have known no less than 4 people who set up beautiful workshops when they retired…then they died and people were asked to go round and take what they wanted …the original owners never got to make anything much, they were too busy building the perfect workshop……
8 May 2020 at 14:53 #470116
Steviegtr
Participant
@steviegtr
Well I have put up shelves & made storage. The cost was nearly nothing. Upvc shelves from old Facia boards. Tool rack from an old drawer side & A4 drawers from Staples. I will make something soon. Honestly.

Steve.
8 May 2020 at 15:10 #470121
Speedy Builder5
Participant
@speedybuilder5
I like the facia board shelf idea.
8 May 2020 at 15:55 #470135
Gary Wooding
Participant
@garywooding25363
My lathe is sited against a pillar, so there is no place for a handy shelf. Instead I've made tray that can slide along the lathe bed. The chuck keys and tool-post spanner are retained by Terry clips as in the photos.There's a recess for the tail-stock.

Edited By Gary Wooding on 08/05/2020 15:57:09
8 May 2020 at 16:37 #470145
John Haine
Participant
@johnhaine32865
Wrong question! Should be "where did I put that chuck key?"…
8 May 2020 at 16:44 #470148
Sam Spoons
Participant
@samspoons83065
I know exactly where it is……. It's lost……
8 May 2020 at 17:12 #470153
larry phelan 1
Participant
@larryphelan1
I keep both the chuck key and the toolpost key held in spring clips fitted to the gear cover of the head stock so that they NEVER get lost . Sad to say, everything else does .
8 May 2020 at 18:04 #470165
Sam Spoons
Participant
@samspoons83065
TBF that does depend on you being properly in the habit of replacing them in the clips every time you put them down….. I'm not usually quite that organised
8 May 2020 at 18:47 #470171
Howard Lewis
Participant
@howardlewis46836
Oh how I envy all you organised people!

Fitted over the hinged flat cover over the Headstock of my lathe is a plywood "shelf" with raised edges. The Chuck Key, when not in use, lives there along with spare Chuck Jaws, Micrometer Stop and a load of other things.

And before anyone says it; Yes I am aware of, and guard against, the danger of stuff falling onto the chuck guard or the bed!

Howard
8 May 2020 at 19:17 #470177
Anonymous
Posted by Howard Lewis on 08/05/2020 18:47:23:

Oh how I envy all you organised people!

Not so much envy as astonishment! The only cleaner workshops I've seen have been in F1 and Indy car.

I'm not even going to think about showing my mess. Other than to say lathe chuck keys sit on top of the headstock and drill chuck keys are stored in the drill chucks.

Andrew
8 May 2020 at 19:22 #470178
Howard Lewis
Participant
@howardlewis46836
Andrew,

You've cheered me up, no end! No longer alone!

Howard
8 May 2020 at 19:28 #470180
Sam Spoons
Participant
@samspoons83065
Me too

Posted by Andrew Johnston on 08/05/2020 19:17:22:

Posted by Howard Lewis on 08/05/2020 18:47:23:

Oh how I envy all you organised people!

Not so much envy as astonishment! The only cleaner workshops I've seen have been in F1 and Indy car.

I'm not even going to think about showing my mess. Other than to say lathe chuck keys sit on top of the headstock and drill chuck keys are stored in the drill chucks.

Andrew

That's my current method. I think I'll stick with it then
8 May 2020 at 19:30 #470181
duncan webster 1
Participant
@duncanwebster1
In similar vein…

someone on here suggested ages ago that one should have 2 small keys for the 4 jaw chuck to make setting up easier. Good Idea thought I, so today I made 2, and yes it really speeds up setting something true rather than using the proper key. Of course one uses the proper key for a final nip. Now all I have to do is find somewhere to keep them. I was going to use a couple of magnets, but I've made the keys out of SS bolts, so that didn't work too well. I'm not going to post a photo of my workshop, it's not in the pristine palace league of some on this thread

Edited By duncan webster on 08/05/2020 19:30:40
8 May 2020 at 19:36 #470183
Sam Spoons
Participant
@samspoons83065
I saw a guy in YT using a cordless drill with, what I assume, was a suitably sized socket adapter. Very neat idea. Might make one up later. Meanwhile I have a couple of spare, oversized chuck keys I bought when I first got the lathe but never got around to setting up the grinder to 'adjust' them. I think I'll set them up as keys for the four jaw and shorten the tee bars.
8 May 2020 at 19:47 #470189
Martin Kyte
Participant
@martinkyte99762
Under the pile of swarf in the drip tray.

Seriously though I have improved a little, I do have clips for a dozen QC toolholders and a board for chuck keys, lathe dogs etc and a wall mounted stand for 2MT tooling all at the tailstock end of the Myford in easy reach of my right hand so not everything end up in the drip dray.

regards Martin
8 May 2020 at 20:09 #470198
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
When not in use my lathe chuck keys hang up behind the lathe but mostly live on the top of the headstock when in use, QCTP key mostly on the topslide as shown here of the cross slide just infront. Toolholder on shelf behind lathe to the right so not reaching across moving parts. Keyless drill chicks solve that one.
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