Jacobs 16N chuck

[PT Doc]

I have 2 Jacob 16 N chucks. One is a 2011 and 1 is a 2012. They are quite different and I dont know if one would be considered a better design.
The basic differences are: 2012 jaws extended outward from the chuck more, different jaw design as it engages the drill bit, 2011 is shorter in height and the 2011 jaws retract deeper within the chuck.

This photo is of the 2011 on the left and the 2012 on the right. Both have jaws fully extended.


This is the top view of the 2011 jaws fully closed.


This if the 2011 with jaws fully opened.


This is the 2012 with jaws fully closed.


This is the 2012 with jaws fully opened.


Thanks in advance for your suggestions on which to keep.

 

[swatson144]

Both chucks seem to be from after the time jacobs was sold and all manufacturing went offshore from Connecticut in about 2009. in fact prior to that they didn't even have a date on them. The import Jacobs chucks are just a mere shadow of their former quality.


A picture of 2 14N chucks the one on the right is a good ole CT made chuck the one on the left is after jacobs was sold to Danaher. The original is smooth as glass the new style not. The old has rolled stamping before hardening and the new is silk screened and not hardened. Old shows no rust after about 15yrs new starts to rust as you remove it from the packing. The old ones can be disassembled and cleaned many many times the new maybe a couple times before they start falling apart on their own (that is if you don't break the plastic ring of balls). The old style had races for the balls to run in the new has flats and
this!!!

Sorry but I'd say keep neither and look for an old superchuck they really are that much better. If you do keep one just pick the one you like best since there is no history on the "Danaher Jacobs" Of the 4 new 14Ns I got I sold one with warnings, gave one away, broke one, and hang one from the ceiling so every time it gives me a knot on the head I'm reminded things sometimes ain't what they were.

Steve

 

[PT Doc]

Both chucks seem to be from after the time jacobs was sold and all manufacturing went offshore from Connecticut in about 2009. in fact prior to that they didn't even have a date on them. The import Jacobs chucks are just a mere shadow of their former quality.

View attachment 46156
A picture of 2 14N chucks the one on the right is a good ole CT made chuck the one on the left is after jacobs was sold to Danaher. The original is smooth as glass the new style not. The old has rolled stamping before hardening and the new is silk screened and not hardened. Old shows no rust after about 15yrs new starts to rust as you remove it from the packing. The old ones can be disassembled and cleaned many many times the new maybe a couple times before they start falling apart on their own (that is if you don't break the plastic ring of balls). The old style had races for the balls to run in the new has flats and
View attachment 46166 this!!!

Sorry but I'd say keep neither and look for an old superchuck they really are that much better. If you do keep one just pick the one you like best since there is no history on the "Danaher Jacobs" Of the 4 new 14Ns I got I sold one with warnings, gave one away, broke one, and hang one from the ceiling so every time it gives me a knot on the head I'm reminded things sometimes ain't what they were.

Steve

It seems then that your USA made super chuck is very similar to the newest production chucks. The USA in your photo has jaws that extend out quite a bit further and have more and your USA has more narrow partitions that make up the body of the chuck. This is consistent with the 2012 production. Maybe they finally pulled their head out of their rears and went back to the original design. Thanks

 

[swatson144]

It seems then that your USA made super chuck is very similar to the newest production chucks. The USA in your photo has jaws that extend out quite a bit further and have more and your USA has more narrow partitions that make up the body of the chuck. This is consistent with the 2012 production. Maybe they finally pulled their head out of their rears and went back to the original design. Thanks

Now that you mention it the 2012 chuck has a shorter body and nose like the good old chuck also the segments on the sleeve are indeed narrower. If the bearings were changed back also it should be a huge amount smoother than the 2011. When you tighten a drill it won't "softly finish" but will be suddenly and confidently tight. When loosening it will do so with out popping. If the internals changed back the 2012 will be a much more pleasant chuck to use than the 2011.

Whoo sure glad you put dates on them instead of us saying the the new new style chuck should be much better than the old new style chuck. :whistle:

Steve

 

[PT Doc]

Now that you mention it the 2012 chuck has a shorter body and nose like the good old chuck also the segments on the sleeve are indeed narrower. If the bearings were changed back also it should be a huge amount smoother than the 2011. When you tighten a drill it won't "softly finish" but will be suddenly and confidently tight. When loosening it will do so with out popping. If the internals changed back the 2012 will be a much more pleasant chuck to use than the 2011.

Whoo sure glad you put dates on them instead of us saying the the new new style chuck should be much better than the old new style chuck. :whistle:

Steve

If its not too much trouble, could you count the stainless partitions on the chicom chuck and the USA made chuck. I'm curious if they jive with mine. I'll count them as well and post with the count. I also noticed the number of teeth on both were different. ill count those as well. Thanks

 

[PT Doc]

Here are the numbers of the 2011 snub jaw chuck:
32 external teeth for key engagement.
18 stainless partitions on the chuck body
Laser etching on flat near spindle opening:09-19-2011L

Here are the numbers of the 2012 long jaw chuck:
30 external teeth for key engagement.
24 stainless partitions on the chuck body
Engraving on flat near spindle opening:20120911-1-1

Any info from other 16n chucks would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[swatson144]

I don't have a 16N but both my original 14N and 18N have 25 segments on the sleeve. The outsourced 14N has 18.

I can look at my friends 16N but I suspect it also has 25.

Steve

 

[PT Doc]

Update

Update: according to a phone call with a tech rep at Jacobs, part of the Apex Tool Group, the 2011 is a lousy chuck. The factory that built this chuck has been closed and this chuck has no rebuild kit. Any chuck with an "L" is not rebuildable and he recommended against keeping this one. The 2012 chuck has a rebuild kit (kit #is etched on the body of the chuck). So I will keep the 2012.


Thanks for the help. Hopefully this thread will helpful to others inquiring about the details of 16n chucks.

 

[darkzero]

Re: Update

Update: according to a phone call with a tech rep at Jacobs, part of the Apex Tool Group, the 2011 is a lousy chuck. The factory that built this chuck has been closed and this chuck has no rebuild kit. Any chuck with an "L" is not rebuildable and he recommended against keeping this one. The 2012 chuck has a rebuild kit (kit #is etched on the body of the chuck). So I will keep the 2012.


Thanks for the help. Hopefully this thread will helpful to others inquiring about the details of 16n chucks.

That's excellent information, thanks for sharing!

I'm still kicking myself for not buying a 16N earlier but I guess it may be overkill for use with only taps. I'm not very lucky on these on ebay.

 

[Nelson]

Great info- thanks for updating us. I have always wanted a 16N, but passed up a few good used ones on Ebay that were made in the US.

Sorry I did that now.