Jason Aldridge
12-21-2015, 11:37 PM
I have a ratcheting chuck key for smaller chucks and really like it. They are very inexpensive at Harbor Freight and was disappointed when I wanted to get something similar for the larger chucks. Since I couldn't find what I wanted I decided to make a quick and dirty version. I wasn't sure anybody else would even care or not but I really like the ratchet and better grip due to the modified key. All I did was knock the pin out of a new key, file the corners a bit after a sliver went into my thumb, drilled, and tapped the socket with a 7mm hole. Why 7 mm, because when I was working my way up in size my drill bit broke and I didn't want to use anymore bits and 7 mm tap was the right size. The 7 mm set screws are pretty rare which didn't occur to me at the time so I modified a 7 mm bolt to be shorter and now it is working fine. The original plan was to just drill a hole above the manufacturers hole for the pin and put another short pin in it, however it was really cold in the garage that night and I eyeballed it making the hole in the wrong spot and then modified what I had to work.
If I had a mill I would have cut down a deep 5/8" or 16 mm socket and drilled a hole into the key threading it all the way through but I don't and I'm cheap.
http://i65.tinypic.com/wj9xjl.jpg
http://i67.tinypic.com/11l1w1y.jpg
If I had a mill I would have cut down a deep 5/8" or 16 mm socket and drilled a hole into the key threading it all the way through but I don't and I'm cheap.
http://i65.tinypic.com/wj9xjl.jpg
http://i67.tinypic.com/11l1w1y.jpg