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Restoring an old Drill Press - Chuck recommendations

929 views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  racielrod 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hello,

I'm restoring an old Orbit 1412 (5-speed Taiwanese DP).
All is good, and I'm now shopping for a good chuck (JT33) to install once it is all as new.

Questions
  • Original chuck is 1/2 - Would I need anything bigger for woodworking or in general? Should I look at 5/8s? I don't think I need anything bigger than 1/2 but I'm not sure if 5/8 is the norm. Thoughts?
  • Would you go keyed or keyless? I'm looking to buy a middle of the road, yet decent, chuck. Something like a Rohm or Jacobs. Thoughts?

I know my questions are more on the preference side, but with 0 experience I'm open to suggestions here.

Thanks!
R.
 
#3 ·
I like 5/8 capacity but I have a lot of drills that are bigger than 1/2". Extra capacity can't hurt IMO. And I have a Rohm keyless chuck on my drill press and love it.
 
#4 ·
Thank you guys! I will take a look at 1/2 vs 5/8 and compare based on price.
I'm on the fence keyed vs keyless. I have read that if you want to keep that bit secured, there is nothing like a keyed chuck, but I read about people that wouldn't use anything but keyless.

Thoughts?
 
#5 ·
I use keyed chucks on my lathe and milling machine. But, keyless should be fine on a drill press. I have never had any bit come loose in the Rohm. I have bogged the motor down though with larger bits and the chuck held on without issue. As long as you can't/don't run it in reverse, it's a non-issue IMO as long as it's a well-made quality chuck. If it's a poorly made chuck, it doesn't matter if it's keyed or not.
 
#6 ·
I use keyed chucks on my lathe and milling machine. But, keyless should be fine on a drill press. I have never had any bit come loose in the Rohm. I have bogged the motor down though with larger bits and the chuck held on without issue. As long as you can t/don t run it in reverse, it s a non-issue IMO as long as it s a well-made quality chuck. If it s a poorly made chuck, it doesn t matter if it s keyed or not.

- HokieKen
Thanks for the tip!
Which Rohm chuck do you recommend?
I was looking at these 2:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DD7NVUI/?coliid=I14SYR0D97251E&colid=12JCLL3D5PU7S&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DD7WNVG/?coliid=I1Z7T3KKGAE09L&colid=12JCLL3D5PU7S&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
 
#7 ·
Don't have either of those personally. I have a 16mm keyless that I don't see listed any more. Maybe the biggest they make is 13 mm now… I can recommend Rohm keyless chucks in general but have no experience with their keyed chucks. Although, I'm sure their keyed chucks are well made too.
 
#9 ·
#10 ·
Well, my old used Delta chuck was worn out ( and cheap) So I got talked into a keyless chuck. Integrated MT-2.
Hate it. Spun more bits than holes drilled. Even when I opened the top and held the sheave every time. Just put in a good old fashion key chuck. No problem. Maybe a $500 keyless would work, but a $100 one did not.
 
#11 ·
Well, my old used Delta chuck was worn out ( and cheap) So I got talked into a keyless chuck. Integrated MT-2.
Hate it. Spun more bits than holes drilled. Even when I opened the top and held the sheave every time. Just put in a good old fashion key chuck. No problem. Maybe a $500 keyless would work, but a $100 one did not.

- tvrgeek
I have never used keyless before, and being honest, for the expected use, I'm fine using a key.
I read a few reviews like yours, and others were happy campers… I chose to play it safe.

Time will tell, but the chuck feels solid and add no runout - very happy after installation.
 
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