Drill press chuck

Greenfrog · May 25, 2019

I noticed something on a YouTube video:
The guy put the chuck wrench in all three holes and tighten all three onto the drill bit. I usually just do one!
Have I been doing it wrong all these years?🤔
Also, he used WD 40 as a lubricant. Huh?
Just wondering...

4wdtom · May 25, 2019

If you may have a problem with a slipping chuck say because you are using a large drill going around and tightening all three positions may help. Normally not necessary. And probably more necessary with a cheap chuck. And WD40 is no lube. If a chuck needs lube it needs to be taken apart, cleaned, lubed and reassembled. You can make sleeves out of EMT, exhaust pipe, etc. and they can be custom fit to the chuck by slitting and expanding the sleeve or taking a section out and compressing it to fit the chuck. I'm sure youtube will have some "how to take apart a chuck" videos. It's easy, you need a press or a vise, similar to pressing a U joint. The only trick is to remember to get the jaws in proper order when putting it back together. A lubed chuck will probably grip better than a dry one too as more of the force of tightening will go to gripping than in a dry chuck. I use grease.

Duane WI · May 25, 2019

I started tightening all three chuck holes on my drill press and hand drills a few years ago after seeing it for the first time. Had always just tightened one. Doing all three made a big difference. When you tighten the second and third holes you will be surprised at how much you can still turn the chuck even if you tightened the first hole good.

in-too-deep · May 25, 2019

I pretty much always tighten all 3. Don't know if you're supposed to, but I HATE HATE HATE slipping a bit. Bits with 3 flats for grip are my favorite. Or a Morse taper. Mmmm now that's some fine drillin'.

544hydro · May 25, 2019

Can t remember when or where I learned but I tighten all 3.

kcm.MN · May 25, 2019

Dad had a sheet metal machine shop at home when I was a kid. I learned then to tighten all 3 jaws.

When he got out of metal-working, he bought some woodworking machines. It was old habit by then.

SkipperII · May 25, 2019

Agreed; WD 40 is not a lubricant. WD refers to Water Displacement, formula #40. It's great for drying distributors.

M-MAN · May 25, 2019

Drill chuck is a scroll just like a lathe and should be tightened the same way. Machinist taught me that several decades ago. Most folks don't know.

jeffcat · May 25, 2019

All of my cordless drills have hand tighten chucks. Now several mentioned WD-40. A drill bit salesman put me onto a wonder fluid for drilling. Just use a couple of drops of straight automotive green antifreeze. Couple of drops and drill a little, lift the bit and a couple of more drops. Keep the speed down. The bits stay cool and cut like you wouldn't believe. I use a little empty eye drops squeze bottle for it.

Dick L · May 26, 2019

I am 80 years old and I remember my grandfather tightened a drill chuck like that when I was small. Then when in high school shop class it was explained why. If you notice each hole after tight will move a little more. That causes the chuck needles to square better on the bit when helps it from slipping in the chuck when the bet might catch as you break thru a hole.

HFJ · May 26, 2019

i was taught to tighten all three ages ago, and have done it ever since. as others have mentioned, u can still feel progress on the second and third holes.

which reminds me of the fact that the one drill i own with a half inch chuck has about reached the end of its road, as all three holes have gotten sloppy thru the years and are close to the point of unusable now

Butch(OH) · May 27, 2019

And also one of the key holes in a 3 jaw lathe chuck will yeild less TIR than the other two if tightened last. My best 3 jaw is marked "0" at one key hole and runs out .001 .002 if that one is used. The other two will run out out .004 .005 depending on how large the bar is.

Brad Buchanan · May 28, 2019

Drill press chuck

Greenfrog

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4wdtom

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Duane WI

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in-too-deep

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544hydro

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kcm.MN

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SkipperII

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M-MAN

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jeffcat

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Dick L

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HFJ

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Butch(OH)

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Brad Buchanan

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