F. George McDuffee wrote:
On Fri, 07 Nov 2014 19:18:02 +0000, Big Fred
wrote:

I have a HF Mini-Mill #44991 that needs to have the drill chuck
removed from the spindle in order to install a taper shank cutter.
After removing the spindle cover, I inserted the Fixing Pin into the
spindle sleeve and loosened the Spindle draw bar. The instructions
say that all I have to do is gently tap the taper shank (hidden by
the drill chuck?) and let the drill chuck fall out. As you would
guess, the drill chuck is stubborn and no matter where I hit the
drill chuck it remains fixed in the spindle. I am using a hard
rubber mallet. This machine is new and was shipped with the drill
chuck already installed on the spindle.

Is there a book or a video showing how to remove the drill chuck
from the spindle?

Big Fred
=================
Nice looking unit http://tinyurl.com/28s88pp

You may have to reinsert the draw bar, finger tighten, and
back off about 1/2 turn and smack the end of the draw bar to
break the collet/shank loose. If you have one use a brass
hammer to give a shaper rap than a rubber one. Bridgeports
have a special wrench/hammer for this.
http://tinyurl.com/qjz4tn3

I am not familiar with this unit but similar units have a #2
Morse taper spindle which is a common drill chuck shank
size, and these are available threaded for a draw bar, as
are #2 Morse taper collets. http://tinyurl.com/p9zcpv2
These are also available in the Weldon style.
http://tinyurl.com/otrc7wn

When you extend the spindle are there slots on each side?
If so, assuming the drill shank is long enough to be seen in
the slot, you may need to use a wedge to pop the shank
loose. http://tinyurl.com/m6nqrtl

For completeness there are also wedges to remove the shank
from the chuck. http://tinyurl.com/pb5ognz

FWIW -- a reminder that because of the side loads [and
tendency to loosen] you should never use an end mill except
as a drill in a drill chuck, but always use a collet.

George , the HF website says this unit has an R-8 spindle . But your advice
about a half-turn loose then smack it with a mallet or hammer is spot-on . I
keep a 12 oz ball peen hammer on my mill bench for this and tapping pieces
down in the vise (as when using parallels) as I tighten it .

--
Snag