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What's this groove for on my chuck key?

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PaulR:
I'm making another key for the 4-jaw to speed up centering and I'm wondering what this groove is for? It's miles from the chuck when in use and I doubt it's decorative (it's made in China after all!).

Most likely irrelevant and I don't intend to duplicate it unless there's a good reason but it's really bugging me!

Charles Lamont:
Might be intended to take the Annoying Spring. The one that means you absolutely can't leave the key in the chuck - or do anything else much.

cnr6400:
Some chuck keys are supplied with a spring and collar as a safety device. The sprung collar prevents the chuck key being left engaged in the jaw screws, to prevent launching the key into low earth orbit (or the user) if the lathe was started with key in place. The collar is usually retained by a spring clip of some sort. The groove on your dark-coloured key may have been included so the makers could offer the key with or without the spring and collar. Hope this helps.  :cheers:

PaulR:

--- Quote from: Charles Lamont on February 21, 2025, 08:44:13 PM ---Might be intended to take the Annoying Spring. The one that means you absolutely can't leave the key in the chuck - or do anything else much.

--- End quote ---
Hmmm, it didn't come with a spring although the 3-jaw key did.

PaulR:

--- Quote from: cnr6400 on February 21, 2025, 08:48:18 PM ---Some chuck keys are supplied with a spring and collar as a safety device. The sprung collar prevents the chuck key being left engaged in the jaw screws, to prevent launching the key into low earth orbit (or the user) if the lathe was started with key in place. The collar is usually retained by a spring clip of some sort. The groove on your dark-coloured key may have been included so the makers could offer the key with or without the spring and collar. Hope this helps.  :cheers:

--- End quote ---
Seems reasonable especially as Charles has the same idea. I definitely won't be replicating it then, those springs are as irritating as the plastic chuck guard (was)!

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