I had to find the damn chuck key first, to change the drill bit out, to let me drill the hole in the chuck key, so I could attach the chuck key to the lanyard holder, so I wouldn't lose the chuck key again... All in, it was a 20 minute search for a 30 second operation but that says more about me than it does about the project...

My dad used old inner tubes for a lot of things, including a holder for his drill chucks. He would attach them to the end of the power cords.

On portable stuff I do the same. For grinders, I use zip-ties.

That's a great idea!

I know for a fact if I did that, I'd let go of the chuck after using it and the chord would retract and then the whole chuck and lanyard holder would fly off into the black hole of life

The retention while using it would make me hate this personally, but at least you won't lose it now.

I just use a magnet to keep mine stuck to the side of the press.

I have done that before but it collects chips when I am working with steel.

It's not really noticeable imo.

I think it would depend on how close to the chuck it is. Way better than keeping it in my pocket and then finding it when I'm folding laundry though....

Ah, yeah that make sense. Mine is stuck to the side of the top part of the press, and I rarely drill through any steel so its never been an issue for me.

Honestly brilliant for a couple of reasons. Obviously keeps you from losing the chuck, but also prevents you from making an oopsie if you're easily distracted and leave the key in like I've seen people do on multiple occasions.

My drill press has a little rubber friction-fit holder for it, but nothing about it forces me to put it back properly.

Same here. The magnet is at the top of the ... pole? The steel shaft that the table rides up and down on. It's just below the upper motor housing so it's well away from the drilling area and doesn't collect ferrous chips. There's also an allen key stuck to the magnet that I assume is important... probably for some type of maintenance on the drill press that I've never done.

Drilliant!

Would love to find a strong lanyard that uses kevlar/aramid for the string. I use one for keys and the string breaks every 18 months or so.