''The pros are that keyless ones are apparently more precise?'' Thats a new one on me after nearly 50 years in machining, it's BS, the product quality will come from how well the item is made. Having said that a lot of the previously well known brands are not what they used to be. Warco state for their keyless chucks 'Highly accurate, precision chucks.', that means nothing in my book?

Tony

Edited By Tony Pratt 1 on 05/01/2022 15:26:46

Edited By Tony Pratt 1 on 05/01/2022 15:30:02

I’ve got all keyless chucks for my lathe and mill. I haven’t experienced any problems but that doesn’t mean it will be the same for other users. I find keyed (on my bench drill) less convenient, especially when you can’t find the key!

Keyed for preference for me – but my hands are knackered & I struggle with most keyless chucks, as I can't adequately grip them. Some keyless types are also quite a bit longer than keyed versions, which may be an issue on a small machine.

The manual lathe & mill at work have Roehm keyless chucks, which seem to grip the drills better with less effort than the cheaper types I have at home, but I sometimes have to use a strap wrench to loosen them after colleagues have used them before me.

I solved the "can never find the chuck key" issue with some 3D printed, wall mounted, 2MT toolholders from Thingiverse that live on the wall behind the lathe & conveniently have a hole for a chuck key incorporated. Previously used to pop the key into the chuck jaws & hand tighten after use, though both methods still require a bit of discipline. The pillar drill chuck key is attached to the drill on a length of flexible wire.

Nigel B

I use 1 hand to hold the drill and pinch up the keyless chuck to the drill jaws, with the other hand then yes 2 hands are used to further check the chuck for tightness.

If you have to use 2 hands to adjust the chuck when it is not closed to the drill shank I believe there is a problem with the chuck, try some spray lubricant and work it open and closed for a few minutes, you may be surprised how much rubbish comes out.

Emgee

Be warned, the 10mm keyless from ARC takes up about 90mm from the end of the tailstock barrel – that's quite a lot to lose from a 300mm between centres lathe!

They are very good though, and need remarkably little force to tighten. I've been tempted to take it apart to see how it works, but somehow I suspect it might be tricky to put back together again.

As Jason says, the metal ones on cordless drills are very reliable and seem to last the life of the drill. In fact all cordless tools have improved tremendously. The only mains tools I use at work now are a mitre saw and hot glue gun.

On cordless drill keyless chucks a little feature some are not aware of, if it's a ratcheting type, you tighten it up then back it off one click, this stops it coming loose.

I have two keyless chucks from different manufacturers.

I think the one in the lathe is the better one which I bought from a company that sells better tools than the normal chinese stuff….Did not had problems with this one up to 20mm holes. Never had to take it off to release.

The other one is in my larger drill press(Black colour) If I drill larger holes like 20mm it really pulls tight. I have to remove it clamp in a vice and use the spanner with it to losen the chuck.

You should get a spanner matching the chuck with it.