Here’s a method I discovered that helps to keep your drill press chuck key from wandering away. Home Depot and Lowes sell a small $.99 gadget called a “Pencil Pull” (teeheeheehee ok, keep it together, Doc) which is a small, retractable spool originally meant to have a pencil wedged into it. You can repurpose this gadget by attaching it to your chuck key with a little tape and hanging over the front (or side) edge of your pulley covers. You can also use a magnet, but with the amount of computer equipment I usually have running in my garage, stray magnets make me a tad nervous.
June 29th, 2009 - 2:27 am
I’d be a little worried about the string getting tangled up with the workings. I’ve just used a magnet stuck on side of the gearbox cover, the distance from there to any other equipment should be fine and the magnet less strong than the magnetic effects from the motor.
June 29th, 2009 - 4:44 am
I tried the magnet method for a while but every so often it would vibrate itself loose and skitter across the workbench. I often use my drill press as a polishing wheel so it runs for long periods of time and the magnet would “walk” from the vibrations. The pencil pull thingy retracts all the way up and keeps the chuck completely out of the way (until the spring wears out, at least).
Congrats! You are my first comment. I checked out your website and am quite impressed that you’re able to do as much as you do inside that small shed. I may have to pick your brain about some metalcasting stuff soon, if you don’t mind.
Thanks!
-~D~-
June 29th, 2009 - 8:32 pm
I’ve got a little reel like that that my work ID badge attaches to. The only thing I’d worry about would be if the chuck key was too heavy. Great idea!
June 29th, 2009 - 9:10 pm
Thanks! Yeah I know it’s not the most earthshatteringly innovative thing in the world, but every time I go into someone’s workshop, I always try to pick out those tiny little additions and abstract work-arounds that make life easier, so i figured I’d share one of mine. One of my favorites is the old-school mason jar lid screwed into the underside of a shelf with the jar hanging underneath. That always warms my heart. There’s something so “1950’s shadetree mechanic” about it.
-~D~-