Lathe chuck key end snapped..

[des.q...@gmail.com]

In a moment of distraction I started the lathe with the chuck key in the chuck.

It was slow enough that the key didn't fall out and the square end pinged off when it the key hit the bed.

Don't think any damage has been done to the chuck at all, just some damage to my pride!

I'll order a new one, just want to make sure I get the right size, it seems just under half an inch square.

In the meantime I'll get a bit of square steel bar and machine up a temporary one tomorrow evening so we we don't have any more down time on the lathe than is necessary.

Apologies!

[Matt Rutter]

When I was taught to use a lathe, the rule was never let go of the chuck key if it was in front of you..... I managed it so far! Good on you for owning up! We don't all get it right every time! 

I was hoping to use the lathe on Thursday, is guess that's going to be a problem?

Matt

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[Adrian Godwin]

Should you be sentenced to having to use the chuck guard ?

(it's not just damage to the chuck that's important : it's damage to the bed, damage to you, and most of all, damage to the innocent person standing on the other side of the room).

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[Dean Forbes (PERS)]

http://www.rotagriponline.com/datasheets/Pratt/PrattChuckNumbers.pdf

Page 29 

[des.q...@gmail.com]

I will take a standard half inch square drive up tomorrow just in case. If not then I'll nip down to metal supermarket and get some half inch square bar and nip it down on the mill until its the right size and weld on a T top.

I would hope you will be fine to use it Thursday. Will report back.

[Dean Forbes (PERS)]

whilst steel may make a tactical fix a proper chuck key is hardened etc etc we should replace what we had with a new version of what we had.....  :-)

On Tuesday, 27 October 2020 20:55:44 UTC, Des Quilty wrote:

[des.q...@gmail.com]

Agreed, this would be a temporary workaround while I order a new proper one and have it delivered.

[des.q...@gmail.com]

OK,

New chuck key ordered, apparently its an 11mm according to the nice lady at Colechester spares dept. Should be here Friday or Saturday.

In the meantime I have made a chuck key from some square bar stock with the end milled down to the correct size, it works fine and should be good to gets us through the next day or two until the proper chuck key arrives.

So the lathe is back in action and Rowan was happily using it when I left earlier this evening.