Interesting Engineering Fact – Chucks

October 21, 2021

In the early 1700s, ‘chocks’ were a device for centering and clamping work in a lathe. By the early 1800s, the word had evolved to what is known today as the ‘chuck’, a device used for holding cutting tools and work holding.

Tired of bruising his knuckles on the old-fashioned spanner-adjusted drill chucks, Arthur Irving Jacobs developed a chuck where the jaws moved axially in tilted slots. Not the first to invent this new kind of chuck, Jacobs’ Chuck replaced the earlier chucks that needed angled jaw movement and outer sleeve, which are now the basis of all modern drill chucks.

At Newland’s, we love tracing this evolution from Jacobs’ original design to our advanced Australian‑made hydraulic chucks. These modern chucks deliver consistent gripping force and seamless integration with hydraulic systems, a leap forward in efficiency and safety.

Beyond chucks, Newland Engineering designs and manufactures ancillary equipment to support drilling operations, and you can explore the full line on our Ancillary Equipment page to see how these solutions complement our chuck technologies

What Sets Newland’s Ancillary Equipment Apart

  • Rod Storage & Work Platforms
    Robust rod storage racks and work platforms designed to enhance safety and minimise downtime in demanding underground environments, built to comply with mine-site safety standards

  • Purpose-Built Hand Tools
    Precision-engineered tools include the SolidGrip Wrench, Palm Wrenches, and HydraGrip Wrench. These are built for durability and ergonomic efficiency, enabling safer, faster handling of drill rod joints and core tubes in tough conditions

  • Drilling Tool Components
    A full suite of components like slip clamps, high-speed water swivels, loading chambers, fishing tools, and crossover subs, designed for high-load durability, reduced downtime, and compatibility with leading rig systems

  • Custom Lifting Tools & Protective Guarding
    Engineered tools and guarding systems to support safe rig operation and material handling, emphasising operator safety at every stage

Each component is carefully engineered for tough mining environments – designed to boost productivity while upholding the highest safety standards. From storage systems and ergonomic tools to corrosion-resistant clasps, Newland’s ancillary products complement our hydraulic chuck innovation with an all-around operational efficiency suite.