Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Technology => Topic started by: Geezer on 09/11/2009 00:49:38
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Why do power tool manufacturers insist of putting those gord-offal keyless chucks on their electric drills?
They are of no use to man nor beast (except, perhaps, the gorillas) because it is impossible to tighten them sufficiently to prevent drills from slipping. Even hexagonal screwdriver bits tend to loosen up and fall out. As you get older and you succumb to rheumatics in your hands, and as your skin thins with age, I can attest that the problem is only going to get worse.
If the manufacturers are concerned that people will forget to remove the chuck keys from keyed chucks, there is a simple solution. They could easily make it impossible to start the drill unless the chuck key is inserted into a holder in the body of the drill.
(BTW, I am replacing all my keyless chucks with keyed chucks.)
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Why do power tool manufacturers insist of putting those gord-offal keyless chucks on their electric drills?
They are of no use to man nor beast (except, perhaps, the gorillas) because it is impossible to tighten them sufficiently to prevent drills from slipping. Even hexagonal screwdriver bits tend to loosen up and fall out. As you get older and you succumb to rheumatics in your hands, and as your skin thins with age, I can attest that the problem is only going to get worse.
If the manufacturers are concerned that people will forget to remove the chuck keys from keyed chucks, there is a simple solution. They could easily make it impossible to start the drill unless the chuck key is inserted into a holder in the body of the drill.
(BTW, I am replacing all my keyless chucks with keyed chucks.)
What if you loose the chuck key that came with your machine and they stopped making it 2 years ago? They could make small spring loaded chuck keys similar to those used with drill presses?
It probably is all a question of manufacturing costs. Safe chuck/chuck keys combos (or similar systems) cost more than key-less chuck systems.
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They are of no use to man nor beast (except, perhaps, the gorillas)
Forget the gorillas, you need a couple of Boa constrictors ...
[ Invalid Attachment ]
Baby Boa Strap Wrench
RRP: £3.83
Technical Details
* Capacity from 6mm (1/4in) to 100mm (4in) Diameter
* Provides over 2,000lb of pressure without marking the workpiece
http://www.amazon.co.uk/BOA-BBOAAMZ-Baby-Strap-Wrench/dp/B00096JDJY
[Other strap wrenches are available (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-598531-Rubber-Strap-Wrenches/dp/B000O51BWW/ref=pd_cp_diy_1)].
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It probably is all a question of manufacturing costs. Safe chuck/chuck keys combos (or similar systems) cost more than key-less chuck systems.
The cost difference is likely negligible.
I think it's more likely the marketing guys are suffering from a mental "wedgie". If they want to differentiate their products and make them more appealling to an ever expanding population old geezers, they might at least offer the option of keyed chucks.
(Hello! Anyone at B&D paying attention?)
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They are of no use to man nor beast (except, perhaps, the gorillas)
Forget the gorillas, you need a couple of Boa constrictors ...
[ Invalid Attachment ]
Baby Boa Strap Wrench
RRP: £3.83
Technical Details
* Capacity from 6mm (1/4in) to 100mm (4in) Diameter
* Provides over 2,000lb of pressure without marking the workpiece
http://www.amazon.co.uk/BOA-BBOAAMZ-Baby-Strap-Wrench/dp/B00096JDJY
[Other strap wrenches are available (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-598531-Rubber-Strap-Wrenches/dp/B000O51BWW/ref=pd_cp_diy_1)].
Got 'em. "strap wrenches" are nothing to do with strap wenches you understand.
Yes. That is a possible solution, but a chuck key is much simpler.
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... nothing to do with strap wenches you understand.
I suppose they could be used for flagellation ...
[ Invalid Attachment ]
If you are into that Scottish discipline (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawse) sort of thing. [:)]
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Ooooooh!
Ethel! Where did you put my rubber suit?
(Yes - my teachers always had a tawse at the ready!)
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At my work we just have the chuck key hanging off a bit of wire on the handle of the drill.
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I too have found this a problem with certain drills. Regardless of how tight you screw down the chuck, they have a tendency to work loose after a while, especially hammer drills. On a few occasions, I had trouble unscrewing the damn thing to get the bit out.
I now have a far better quality drill and find this does not happen.
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I have a Bosch cordless for many years and have never had the problem of slipping. Often when doing jobs you need to change the drill bit many times and it is soooo much easier with a keyless chuck. Perhaps you have a faulty chuck, Geezer, or maybe it is just not well designed.
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Never had any problems with key-less chucks - even relatively cheap ones - except for gumming the mechanism with mud (don't ask).
Get it hand tight, grip the chuck (with work glove if necessary) quick whizz of the drill in reverse to tighten it.
No problem.
Now battery life/ weight/ charge time on cheap drills, that is a problem...
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Never had any problems with key-less chucks - even relatively cheap ones - except for gumming the mechanism with mud (don't ask).
Get it hand tight, grip the chuck (with work glove if necessary) quick whizz of the drill in reverse to tighten it.
No problem.
Now battery life/ weight/ charge time on cheap drills, that is a problem...
Er, unless you have one of those cheap Patagonian imports, I think you'll find reversing will open the chuck jaws.
I do a lot of stuff with metal and the drills frequently slip in the chuck. When that happens, the shank of the drill frequently gets wrecked. I suppose if you are only drilling holes in balsa wood you won't see much of a problem. [;D]
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As you get older and you succumb to rheumatics in your hands, and as your skin thins with age, I can attest that the problem is only going to get worse.
This is the real problem. The operator is wearing out due to old age!
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As you get older and you succumb to rheumatics in your hands, and as your skin thins with age, I can attest that the problem is only going to get worse.
This is the real problem. The operator is wearing out due to old age!
You're just jealous because they won't let you near any sharp implements now.
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"Just the facts, mam, just the facts" - Joe Friday