Key for a Cowells lathe chuck

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

Anyone know where I might obtain a chuck key for a Cowells 3 jaw chuck? It's the "TML" version chuck with the toothed outer ring like a drill chuck.

Failing that is there anything I could modify to fit or a drill chuck key size that might work?

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

[peak4Participant @peak4]

No, but I did photograph mine for someone a while ago;
Here's a link to the album https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/albums/member_album.asp?a=40346

and one of the four photos.

In one of the others, you should be able to count the number of teeth.

Bill

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

By sheer chance … I found this a few days ago: **LINK**

Replacement Chuck Key for a Cowells ME Lathe

MichaelG.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Looking at the wear/machining marks on the pic by peak4 might give one the impression that the gear is just a plain spur gear that has been tapered? It did, to me.

[Andy CarlsonParticipant @andycarlson18141]

If you are on Facebook then there was a post by Stephen Benson on 29 March 2020 in the 'Cowells Small Machine Tools' group with some photos showing how to modify an off the shelf drill chuck key to suit. The group is public so you probably just need to be on FB to see it.

I have the tommy bar style 3 jaw so have no first hand knowledge of the other kind.

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

Thank you for the replies, very helpful.

Peak4 – thanks for that. It's useful to have.

Michael – thanks, unfortunately I don't have the skills to produce gears.

Not done it yet – it does look like that. Maybe an option to modify a bog standard gear?

Andy – I don't do faceache but I'll take a look. Sounds promising.

I actually need 3 of these keys! (don't ask) so all help is invaluable!

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

The key size used on the Emco chuck of a similar type/size is Jacobs K3, it needs lengthening to save the knuckles and perhaps the spigot modding to 7mm diameter, it has 11 teeth.

Emgee

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Daft question I know… but as their ads keep appearing next to this very thread, do Cowells not stock replacement keys?

[Jim GuthrieParticipant @jimguthrie82658]

Posted by Nigel Graham 2 on 25/05/2022 12:04:18:

Daft question I know… but as their ads keep appearing next to this very thread, do Cowells not stock replacement keys?

 

They have supplied a different model of three jaw chuck for at least the last twelve years which has the bevel gear on the scroll within the chuck body. So I suspect that they probably don't support the exterior bevel chuck any more.

 

Jim

Edited By Jim Guthrie on 25/05/2022 15:19:47

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by Jim Guthrie on 25/05/2022 15:16:53:

Posted by Nigel Graham 2 on 25/05/2022 12:04:18:

Daft question I know… but as their ads keep appearing next to this very thread, do Cowells not stock replacement keys?

They have supplied a different model of three jaw chuck for at least the last twelve years which has the bevel gear on the scroll within the chuck body. So I suspect that they probably don't support the exterior bevel chuck any more.

Jim

Edited By Jim Guthrie on 25/05/2022 15:19:47

Likely would, at an astronomical cost.🙂

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

Though I would post this because it might be of interest to some of you.

The keys on the left and middle are genuine Cowells keys and the one on the right is a generic drill chuck key for a 1/2" chuck.

It's hard to see in the picture but interestingly the one on the left is slightly smaller in diameter and has shallower teeth than the middle one. Both fit and work fine but the larger key feels a little bit better which is great because the larger key is more similar to the bog standard drill chuck key.

[Andy CarlsonParticipant @andycarlson18141]

The generic key looks promising. Hope it works out for you.

I actually need 3 of these keys! (don't ask) so all help is invaluable!

I tried not to ask but I can't resist… three chucks? or three Cowells lathes?

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

Posted by Andy Carlson on 26/05/2022 07:44:17:

The generic key looks promising. Hope it works out for you.

I actually need 3 of these keys! (don't ask) so all help is invaluable!

I tried not to ask but I can't resist… three chucks? or three Cowells lathes?

Both! 🤦🏼‍♂️

I've owned a Cowells lathe for a few years now but when I bought it, it had nothing with it. Even the chuck was missing. I've steadily been buying accessories for it ever since but as you probably know they don't come up for sale often and when they do they are expensive. So when the opportunity to buy another lathe with some of the accessories I wanted cropped up I went for it. Thinking I would keep the accessories and sell the lathe on. Unfortunately the chuck key for this lathe is missing so I held off selling it. In the meantime another Cowells lathe popped up in a local auction, again with some accessories. I put a cheeky bid in not expecting to win but to my surprise I did! No worries ill keep the accessories I want and sell the rest on I thought. Guess what? No chuck keys!!! I now have a not unsubstantial amount of cash tied up in lathes I can't sell until I find keys! 🤦🏼‍♂️

Edited By Hollowpoint on 26/05/2022 08:21:20

Edited By Hollowpoint on 26/05/2022 08:22:44

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Hollow point, I notice in your pics that you say that the left and centre keys are cowells but they are different shapes, the one in the centre looks like Jacobs pattern. If the one on the left is correct it can’t be that difficult to copy especially as you need 3 and several other people as well. The body of key with the teeth could be separate to the spigot which could be fitted with loctite later. Just a suggestion.

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

Bernard – heres another picture.

Im going to try modifying a drill chuck key. I'm just waiting on the post. I'm not using the one in the picture I need it! 😅

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

If the "gears" match, turning down the "shaft" can be pretty simple.

Hope that this is not a Catch 22,, "Ttere's a hole in my bucket, Dear Liza" job!

Remove the lever arm, mount in the lathe (I used the 3 jaw to be quick and nasty ) and turn down the spigot to the required diameter and length.

Refit lever, and hopefully, all will be well.

In the past, for drill chucks, rather than a Cowells chuck, this has worked for me.

Howard

[Alan Wood 4Participant @alanwood4]

As a follow up to Michael Gilligan's link above, this might be of interest to those needing a new key.

Woody's Workshop

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