Alex wrote:

Did anyone try both Plain Bearing and Ball Bearing drill press chucks
and can share his thoughts? Are BB chucks really worth the difference in
price?

My favorite chuck (and I have been through a bunch) is a Jacobs 3A plain chuck.
It's real close to dead nuts on, doesn't slip on bits throughout its whole
range, and just plain works great.

Supposedly the 16N (the ball bearing equivalent) tightens down better, but I
always - ALWAYS - turn the key in all 3 holes, and the bits don't slip for me.

GWE