Chuck Storage

[mickri]

After going back and forth on whether to buy/make a new bench for my lathe or modify my current bench I have decided to keep my current bench and replace the fixed shelves with drawers and shelves on sliders. I am looking for suggestions on how to store chucks. My 8" 4 jaw chucks weight 25 lbs. I would like to get an 8" 3 jaw chuck and another 6" 4 jaw chuck. That would give me a total of 8 chucks that I need to store. My current chucks are 3", 5" & 6" 3 jaw chucks, a 6" 4 jaw and two 8" 4 jaw chucks. The current cabinet is 49" W x 25" H x 18" D.

How do you guys store your chucks?

 

[brino]

Sorry no answers for you, but I'm watching because I need to figure out a method of chuck storage too.
-brino

 

[Papa Charlie]

I like the idea of a cradle that supports the chucks when not in use on a rack. Another idea I see a lot is the use of a C lifting jig that inserts into the jaws and then allows you to lift via some type of overhead and position the chuck on the lathe. Easy enough to build and you can rig a little hoist on the end of the bench with a hand crank or electric boat winch.

 

[DavidR8]

I'm with @brino!
I only have a 3 and 4 jaw chuck and two faceplates, all of which are stored in the bottom of the tool chest next to my lathe.
It's not ideal because they are basically at ground level so hoisting the the 4-jaw up and out is a chore.

 

[DavidR8]

I like the idea of a cradle that supports the chucks when not in use on a rack. Another idea I see a lot is the use of a C lifting jig that inserts into the jaws and then allows you to lift via some type of overhead and position the chuck on the lathe. Easy enough to build and you can rig a little hoist on the end of the bench with a hand crank or electric boat winch.

View attachment 346746

What of they could be stored in something like a scaled down tire rack?

 

[Masterjuggler]

I keep the two chucks I own on a shelf right behind the lathe, shortest distance possible to have to move them.

There's an Adam Savage video where he made a chuck rack. It looks super unstable and kind of scares me, but the actual mounting idea could be useful to attach to a wall or the side of your bench.

Your chucks aren't super large, but If you've got something like a sky hook or an overhead hoist/pulley, they could easily be switched around without much trouble. I like the tire rack idea too because it gives easy access to such a hoist.

 

[C-Bag]

Nice cabinet to base off of Chuck. I’d use a piece of 3” heavy channel iron with 1” shaft as a pivot on one end with a brace for the rack. The big chucks of course would closest to the pivot and smaller out from there. Or maybe two different ones for the bigger ones would be shorter and the medium and small on the other. Slit some hose and glue to the channels to cushion the chucks. That way your not digging under the top to dig the chucks out of the rack.

 

[Winegrower]

Just an 8" three jaw, a 10" four jaw, and a 12" faceplate to consider for me, so I have a metro cart (wire cart) that I can roll over when needed. I like keeping a 1" round bar clamped in the chuck jaws...so much easier to manipulate, and I put some plywood over the ways when changing chucks.

I have bigger storage problems than what to do with my chucks.

 

[Papa Charlie]

What of they could be stored in something like a scaled down tire rack?

Absolutely, all that would be required is two posts protruding out from a vertical stand to hold them. I have seen racks that were on casters with a central post that had enough supports for 6 chucks. These were larger chucks from 10-18 inches but the concept is the same.

Right now I have a 12" backing plate, 8" 4-Jaw and a 6" 3-Jaw. I am waiting until after the first of the year to buy a 5C Collet Chuck to add to the list. When I get set up in my shop, I plan to build a rack on casters with a central vertical support, cradles for the chucks plus and also the 5C Collets. It will support the collets upright so when I get to the point I cannot lift them or buy a bigger lathe, I can use a lifting rig to move them to and from the lathe.

 

[silence dogood]

I wrote a thread titled "Make a chuck cradle" that perhaps you could use the info. Also made a c-lifter as Papa Charlie shows a picture of.