Re: Allen key size for Craftsman 101 4 jaw chuck
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A bench grinder will do the job. You'll need a light touch. You're only going to remove 1/64 of an inch off 3 faces, or half that from all 6 faces. For that matter, you could use a silicon carbide whetstone. Harbor Freight? has them for $3. We're talking 15 or 16 thousandths of an inch. To be more precise 0.015625".? If you start with a 6mm allen key, it's less than that. A 6mm key is is 0.0018" larger than a 15/64 allen key. A piece of moderately fine wet or dry paper wrapped on a file should do it, too. Rub it on a piece of concrete if that's all you have.?
Sometimes I need to remember not everyone has been collecting tools as long as I have. But there are dozens of ways to remove a little bit of metal with little money or equipment. I've used a piece of concrete to sharpen a tool. All it takes is a bit of patience. You have an Atlas/Craftsman lathe? You can index the spindle?and file flats on a piece of round stock to make a hex on a small bar, or reduce the size of hex on a? bolt if necessary.?
If you say "I can't." you're correct. If you say "There has to be a way I can." you're also correct.?
It may be easier to just buy what you need, but there are often perfectly good reasons you mat not be able to do that. My wallet is looking pretty close to empty right now. But I have a pile of scavenged alllen keys that probably weighs 2 or 3 pounds. Also bits of round and hex bar stock. Files, several grinders, abrasive paper and cloth, several kinds of stones, a couple of torches, a gas stove...
If you have a propane torch or gas stove you could heat a 1/4" or 6mm allen key red hot. Then bury it in dry sand to cool. That would soften it enough to file. Or you could use a whetstone, chunk of concrete, or even a hammer to reduce the end to fit your chuck socket. Don't fixate on one you don't have the means to do when there are so many othe possibilities.? You could hammer it while it's still red hot, too. Hot or cold forging both work.?
If you're? naked in a sand dune desert that is one thing. If you have anything even remotely like a workshop, you should have dozens of options.?
Getting a bit long-winded here. Shutting up now!? :)??
Bill in OKC?
William R. Meyers, MSgt, USAF(Ret.)
Aphorisms to live by: Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.? SEMPER GUMBY!
Expect in one hand, expectorate in the other. See which one gets full first.
On Sunday, August 6, 2023 at 10:07:17 AM CDT, Martin McGlensey <mmcg29440@...> wrote:
Thanks for all your responses. I tried a 6 mm hex key. It does not fit.
Tried a 5.5 mm key it's too loose. I'll try a 15/64" next. Unfortunately I
do not have the diamond files needed to cut a 1/4" key down. I only have a
bench grinder and standard files.
Marty
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Bill in OKC too