I have a pin vise, looks like a miniature drill chuck. I've used it in the past without any problems, but now it won't hold a small (less than 1/16th) dill bit straight. It will hold larger bits straight but not the small ones.

So, two questions:

1. can I fix it

2. whats a good brand name for a replacement/second?

 

Sounds like one of the jaws might be misaligned.  Maybe disassemble and clean 

Take it apart and clean it.  Be very careful of the small parts.  They're fast little buggers and run and hide as soon as you drop them.  Disassemble over an old cake pan or equivalent.

if the "vise" part will come out of the tool, remove it and clean the slots.   Rescrew the cap after cleaning all the threads and make sure it can go down all the way - i've found some usits

that are simply too short (not enough internal threads on the cap) to allow them to be screwed down far enough to allow the vise tips to be forced closed

Upon future inspection of the pin vise the plate that the threaded rod goes though to tighten the chuck jaws, is damaged and now misaligned. I think this is a critical failure, the pin vise must have been dropped at some time during the various moves of the shop. I've ordered a new one to replace it along with a more robust chuck for the drill press (a got a very inexpensive chuck from HF this spring, it works but I don't expect it to be tough).

thanks for the input.

 

The new chuck arrived today. Installation was quick and painless. This chuck, by itself, will hold my smallest drill but (#60).

Something I learned (the hard way) on tightening the chuck on the bit.  I used to bring it up snug by hand and then using the chuck key crank it down tight and go to work.  After replacing the messed up chuck...

Now, I bring it snug by hand, give it a gentle bit with the key, turn the chuck to the next hole and tighten a tad more and turn it to the next hole and tighten it down.

 

Maybe I had a bad chuck the first go around, but it only takes a few extra seconds to have peace of mind with the new system.

35 minutes ago, Cal said:

Something I learned (the hard way) on tightening the chuck on the bit.  I used to bring it up snug by hand and then using the chuck key crank it down tight and go to work.  After replacing the messed up chuck...

Now, I bring it snug by hand, give it a gentle bit with the key, turn the chuck to the next hole and tighten a tad more and turn it to the next hole and tighten it down.

 

Maybe I had a bad chuck the first go around, but it only takes a few extra seconds to have peace of mind with the new system.

That's the way Jacobs recommends tightening their chucks. They say doing it that way keeps the jaws centered.

 I have used several pin vises over the years and came up with a unique idea. I had an old corded electric quarter inch drill. I replaced it with a battery powered one. Before I tossed the drill, I removed the keyless chuck and used a bolt with the proper thread to mount it on a 3"x3"x3/4" board. It worked good to hold those very small pieces and shafts. 

That's a cool idea Ron

On 9/25/2020 at 7:40 AM, Cal said:

Something I learned (the hard way) on tightening the chuck on the bit.  I used to bring it up snug by hand and then using the chuck key crank it down tight and go to work.  After replacing the messed up chuck...

Now, I bring it snug by hand, give it a gentle bit with the key, turn the chuck to the next hole and tighten a tad more and turn it to the next hole and tighten it down.

 

Maybe I had a bad chuck the first go around, but it only takes a few extra seconds to have peace of mind with the new system.

That is how my Dad showed me 35 yrs ago. Always assumed it was only way.