Wayne wrote:

Sometime back one of our esteemed members posted that
if his machine had reverse, that he would only use a
keyed chuck on that machine.

I've been pretty much spoiled by keyless chucks.
I'm trying to decide whether to buy a keyless or
keyed chuck for a lathe. If I'm just drilling a hole,
keyless is just fine. Putting a tap in the keyless
and tapping wouldn't be a problem because you are
still going forward. But when you put the lathe
in reverse to remove the tap, would the tap
loosen in the chuck? I would assume that there
is less resistance pulling the tap out, so maybe
it wouldn't loosen. Also I assume if it did
loosen, the worse that could happen is I'd
have to remove the tap by hand.

So I'm looking to those with the experience
to help me decide.

Thanks,
Wayne

Depending on the size of taps you are using, keyless can be a good or
not so good choice. Every time the grip is loosened by the action of the
tool, whether from reversal or slipping in forward, the chuck jaws get
some amount of damage. An Albrecht is an expensive tap holder. I'm not
saying I don't use my Albrechts to tap, just use discretion.

Some time ago, when using a 3/4" keyed chuck to hold 7/8 and 23 mm taps
in the tailstock to tap chromo, I would get slippage. On investigation,
I learned that Morse taper tap drivers have been available since before
I was born.g Look ma, no more slippage.

michael