This is how I got over my problems with chuck keys.
In just over 3.5" x 3", I have managed to squeeze in all my generally used tools on the lathe. I positioned it for natural reach of my left arm, when sitting on my chair or standing in my normal position at the lathe, and no, it doesn't get in the way, and I don't keep bumping into it with delicate body parts.
Back to front, the key for removing the chuck from the lathe, Allen key with fitted handle that locks up my cross slide, the normal chuck key, and at the front, air blower and swarf rake, which has a pvc handle fitted that doubles as a precision persuader when setting jobs up, rather than me having to use a plastic handled screwdriver.
The holder has shallow grooves that the chuck key handles drop into, and keeps them in position. All made from a piece of 1/2" thick pvc with all corners rounded off. A bit of ply would do the same job.
After you have used a tidy for a day or two, it becomes automatic to drop the tools back into the holder, without having to think about it.
It also stops them being launched into orbit when they fall off the top of the head onto a spinning chuck, because there is no need now to put them on the top.
But this is my main chuck shifter. Because I have little use of my right arm for tightening things up, I needed something to assist me.
Because all my chucks on the lathe use a 3/8" / 10mm key, I fitted a normal 3/8" extension onto an el cheapo 3/8" air powered ratchet. This allows me to tighten up or slacken off at the flick of a switch.
It is a real bonus when fitting and removing collets, as it takes an age to wind them in and out by hand.
Let go of it, and it automatically lifts up well out of the way, but still within easy reach, by use of a pre-tensioned tool hanger.
Blogs