Using the standard T-handle wrench with Cole Jaws installed is pretty time consuming because the handle does not reach beyond the jaws. Is there a solution for this?
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Extended T-Handle Wrench for Nova Cole Jaws?
- Thread starter Tom Albrecht
- Start date
What model chuck is it, SuperNova 2 or G3?
Bill previously started a thread with a similar question:
I put my suggestion in there:
I solved the problem by knocking out the handle rod. Then I epoxied the end into a 9/16 socket. I used a 9/16 because it was the size that fit well and I had plenty of extra ones sitting in the drawer. Has worked great for years. Epoxy is more than secure enough to handle the relative little force used on my Cole jaws. Socket extension gives me enough length to use a ratchet to tighten.
Jay
Jay
I put my suggestion in there:
In that case, Jays suggestion might be your best bet.
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
I have a Vicmarc chuck. It uses a standard metric Allen head wrench. So I took a spare Allen key and cut off an inch and welded it to a rod that I put in a handle. Also I can use a ball end Allen in place of my welded one.
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For anyone lucky enough to have something like the SuperNova 2 that uses a Hex key, these are all viable solutions with either plain or ball end.
I knew with the potential for loss or wear of a chuck key, buying the Supernova or Titan models (that just take a hex wrench) would be a smarter move for me than getting chucks with a unique fitting key. I haven't lost any yet, and I didn't think about ownership of multiple chucks providing me with multiple keys...
I wound up with a couple oneway stronghold chucks which are pretty darn good except for the goofy, giant chuck key. One is a much older model, too - it doesn't like the newer stronghold key.
Makes me glad I kept a couple of supernova 2s. I have eight or so allens for them, and they all work.
Great, but what does this have to do with the original post?
as part of the conversation about chucks and chuck keys of which the original post deals with and in particular difficulties over length.
Agreed about plastic handles breaking on T handle Hex wrenches. The very best in my opinion are the US made Bondhus wrenches. These have welded solid steel handles that are then plastic dipped. Like the extra long Red and Black one in my picture above. I’ve never had a Bondhus wrench bend, break or round off the hex.
bondhus.com
T-Handles Hex End
bondhus.com
As Bill points out, Bondhus wrenches are great-- I have a number of them. Eklind is also good, MiUSA, and a great value. They make metric 6" and 9".
The extra long series Bondhus T wrenches come in really handy for making adjustments on machine tools where access can be a challenge sometimes. And yes, I’ve seen the Eklind wrenches, they look good as well.
The ordinary plastic handled ones are best avoided in my view. They often just encapsulate a long L wrench and can be prone to breaking. It happened to me once. It was a bit painful to my hand when it failed but luckily didn’t do any damage.
The ordinary plastic handled ones are best avoided in my view. They often just encapsulate a long L wrench and can be prone to breaking. It happened to me once. It was a bit painful to my hand when it failed but luckily didn’t do any damage.