Ball Bearing Chuck Key Spinner

[BobWarfield]

After the cross bar on the chuck key for my collet chuck fell onto the floor for about the hundredth time, I got to thinking about knurling it near the middle so it would be less likely to do that. By the time I got that done, i was thinking I needed a spinner handle. If you've used a collet chuck, you'll know it takes a lot of cranking on that darned key to get a collet changed. Changing a part is not so bad you don't change collets--mine takes about one turn to tighten on a new part.

I looked around the shop for scraps from which to make a spinner and spied a bag of skate bearings on a shelf. The lightbulb went on over my head:

The bearing itself is shrunk fit onto the brass axle, which has a press fit onto the chuck key. Works like a charm and the bearing makes a fine handle from which to spin away. In fact, it has a very nice feel!

Quick and easy. Git 'er done! :big:

Cheers,

BW

 

[cfellows]

Good idea, Bob. By the way, is that a granite counter top you've got out there in your shop? :

 

[BobWarfield]

Good idea, Bob. By the way, is that a granite counter top you've got out there in your shop? :

Why yes, it is a granite counter. This isn't my main shop, it's the "heat treating" shop. There's also a fridge, pantry, and maple cabinets. The wife keeps storing odd things in here though: plates, dishes, silverware, corn flakes, canned goods, you name it. I can't get her to keep the space available for my shop stuff. She acts like its a kitchen or some darned thing.

Very frustrating!

BW

 

[Circlip]

Quite a few years ago I did a clean rebuild of my Moto Guzzi in that room, when a friend of the daughters came to collect her one morning, after the double take I asked if she'd never seen a cooker in a garage before? Regards Ian.

 

[tel]

Odd, Mrs Tel seems to think that I'm the only one that does things like that. ;D

 

[NOI53Y]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the world of engineering and i'm a little daunted by it all :-\

I'd like some advice from all you learned peoples. What type of workshop machinery should I buy first. Should I be looking at getting a lathe first or a mill.

First off I'll need to teach my self the skills to use either machine but eventually i'd like to be able to make myself an engine or 2 ;D

Should I look at individual machines or will a lathe/mill combo machine do the trick.

Any advice will be greatly welcomed.

Cheers,

Glenn.