Delta Drill Press 11-950 Chuck Key: Finding the Right Size and Fit
You pull the Delta 11-950 out of storage for the first time in two years, set a bit in the chuck, and reach for the key. It is not there. Nobody knows where it went. This happens with every small bench drill press made in the past four decades, and the Delta 11-950 is no exception. The original chuck key for this press is small, easy to misplace, and no longer manufactured by Delta. Here is exactly what you need and where to find it.
The Delta 11-950 is an 8-inch benchtop drill press: 8-inch swing, meaning a 4-inch throat depth (distance from the column center to the spindle centerline). It runs five speeds and was sold by Delta through the 1990s and 2000s as a compact shop and hobby press. Its 1/2-inch capacity keyed chuck takes a specific chuck key, and getting the wrong size is a frustrating waste of time.
What the 11-950 Actually Is
First, a correction that saves you a trip to the wrong parts bin. The Delta 11-950 is an 8-inch press. Not a 16-1/2-inch press. Not a floor model. Confirmed dimensions from parts diagrams and the official Delta manual: 8-inch swing, 4-inch throat, 5 speeds. The table measures 6-1/2 by 6-1/2 inches. If you are looking at a 16-inch number anywhere, you have the wrong machine in front of you.
The chuck that ships with the 11-950 has a 1/2-inch capacity and mounts on a Jacobs Taper 33 (JT33) arbor. This is confirmed by aftermarket replacement chuck listings (part number 1310049) and by the JT33 arbor references in compatible replacement parts.
Identifying the Correct Chuck Key: Read the Chuck Body
Before you order anything, look at the chuck itself. Jacobs and Jacobs-compatible chucks stamp the key size on the side of the chuck body. The marking will be something like “K32” or a Jacobs model number. On the 11-950’s standard chuck, the correct key is a Jacobs K32, which is the designated key for JT33-compatible 1/2-inch chucks.
The K32 has a specific pilot (the small pin that fits into the chuck body hole) and gear teeth count. Using the wrong pilot diameter means the key either spins freely or does not seat at all. You cannot over-tighten around this: if the pilot does not fit snugly in the chuck’s hole, the key is wrong.
| Chuck Key Spec | K32 (for JT33 chucks) |
|---|---|
| Used on | JT33 and smaller chucks |
| Pilot size | Matches JT33 chuck hole |
| Made in USA option | Yes (Jacobs brand) |
The OEM Delta key, part number 1343758, is discontinued with no direct replacement listed by Delta or mmtoolparts.com. That original key is gone from the supply chain. Generic K32-compatible keys are the practical replacement.
Delta 11-950 vs. Delta 11-990 Chuck Key: Are They the Same?
Both the 11-950 (8-inch) and the 11-990 (12-inch) use the same OEM chuck part number (1310049) and the same OEM key part number (1343758) according to parts diagrams from PartSelect and Fix.com. In practice, if a K32 key fits the 11-990, it will fit the 11-950 as well. The chucks are the same unit across the two models.
The meaningful difference between the two machines is size and capacity. The 11-950 has a 4-inch throat and a 6-1/2-inch square table. The 11-990 has a 6-inch throat and an 8-1/2 by 9-7/8-inch cast iron table. The chuck key itself is interchangeable.
Where to Find a Replacement Key
Option 1: Generic Jacobs K32 or compatible multi-key set. Hardware stores and tool supply houses stock multi-key sets that include K32-compatible keys. A set covering 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, and 1/2-inch chuck sizes will include a key that fits the 11-950’s chuck. The pilot fit is what matters; confirm the pilot drops cleanly into the chuck hole without slop.
Option 2: eReplacementParts.com or PartSelect. Search model 11-950 for the key part number (1343758). These sites carry legacy Delta parts, though the key is listed as discontinued. Worth checking periodically for old stock.
Option 3: mmtoolparts.com. Lists the 1343758 key but also notes it is discontinued. Check for availability.
Option 4: Take the chuck to a local tool supply counter. A clerk familiar with Jacobs keys will match the pilot in thirty seconds. This beats ordering two or three keys online and returning what does not fit.
If you want to eliminate the key problem entirely, the 11-950 chuck (also part 1310049) can be upgraded to a 1/2-inch keyless chuck. Keyless replacements designed for the 11-950 are available on Amazon and eBay and thread directly onto the same JT33 arbor.
Modern Alternative: The WEN 4208T
If the 11-950 you inherited has other issues beyond the missing key, consider whether a replacement makes more sense than a hunt for legacy parts. The WEN 4208T is a current-production 8-inch 5-speed benchtop press with a 2.3-amp induction motor, speeds from 740 to 3140 RPM, and a 1/2-inch keyed chuck with onboard key storage so the key does not get lost in the first place.
WEN 4208T 8-inch Benchtop Drill Press
The 11-950 has a solid cast iron column and table that holds up well. But if you are investing more time in parts hunts than the machine is worth, the WEN resolves it cleanly.
The Honest Flaw
The original chuck key for the Delta 11-950 is small, lightly made, and has no storage point on the machine. Every owner eventually loses it. Delta’s parts ecosystem for this model is discontinued, meaning your replacement options are all third-party. A multi-key set or a matched Jacobs K32 key solves the problem, but you may put more time into confirming pilot fit than it feels like you should.
Who should skip this: If your 11-950 still has its original key in good shape, you do not need a replacement. If you have already confirmed a keyless chuck upgrade, the key question is moot.
FAQ
What size chuck key does the Delta 11-950 use? The 11-950 uses a K32-compatible chuck key for its JT33-arbor 1/2-inch keyed chuck. Check the stamping on your chuck body to confirm.
Is the Delta 11-950 really an 8-inch drill press? Yes. 8-inch swing, 4-inch throat. It is a compact benchtop press, not a floor model.
Can I use the same key on a Delta 11-990? Yes. Both models use the same OEM chuck (part 1310049) and the same OEM key (part 1343758).
Is the original Delta 11-950 chuck key still available? The OEM key (part 1343758) is discontinued. Generic K32 compatible keys and multi-size chuck key sets are the practical alternatives.
Can I upgrade to a keyless chuck on the Delta 11-950? Yes. Keyless replacement chucks designed for the 11-950 are available on Amazon and eBay. They fit the same JT33 arbor taper.
What if my chuck key does not fit? The pilot must seat cleanly in the chuck hole without wobble. If the key spins or rocks, the pilot diameter is wrong. Take the chuck head to a local tool supply store to match it in person.
What is the JT33 taper? JT33, or Jacobs Taper 33, is a standardized taper used on the spindle-to-chuck connection on many small drill presses. It is not the same as a Morse taper.
References
- Delta Machinery, 11-950 Instruction Manual (Part No. 900591)
- eReplacementParts.com, Delta 11-950 Type 1 and Type 2 parts
- mmtoolparts.com, Delta 11-950 drill press parts
- PartSelect.com, Delta 11-950 Type 2 parts diagram
- WEN Drill Press FAQs: https://wenproducts.com/pages/drill-press-faqs
- OSHA Woodworking Drill Press eTool: https://www.osha.gov/etools/woodworking/production/machines-tools/drill-press
- CCOHS, Drill Presses: https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/metalworking/drillpresses.html
