Quick answer
Choose a drill chuck arbor by matching the Morse taper that fits your lathe's spindle or tailstock to the Jacobs taper that fits your drill chuck. For most bench top lathes, an arbor with a 0 Morse taper and 33 Jacobs taper is a common, low-cost solution.
Know your lathe's taper and your chuck's taper
The arbor's job is to connect two different taper systems: the machine side (usually a Morse taper) and the chuck side (usually a Jacobs taper). If either end doesn't match, the arbor won't seat properly and the chuck may run out or even fall out under load.
The Morse taper is a standard machine taper used in lathe tailstocks and mill spindles. The Jacobs taper is a shorter, steeper taper used on many drill chucks. An arbor labeled '0MT to 33JT' has a 0 Morse taper on one end and a 33 Jacobs taper on the other.
Why the 0MT to 33JT combination is common
The 0 Morse taper is one of the smallest standard Morse tapers. It's often found on mini lathes and small tailstocks, especially on machines with a #0 Morse taper socket. The 33 Jacobs taper is a popular size for small to medium drill chucks, so this arbor pairs well with many benchtop setups.
Because of its compact size and low cost, a 0MT to 33JT arbor is a practical choice for light-duty drilling, such as center drilling or small hole drilling in soft metals.
Trade-offs and limitations
The 0 Morse taper is not as robust as larger tapers like 1MT or 2MT. It is best for light to medium work; heavy drilling or large-diameter bits can cause the arbor to slip or the chuck to wobble.
Also, not all drill chucks use a 33 Jacobs taper. Some use 1JT, 2JT, or 6JT. Always check the taper stamped on your chuck before buying an arbor.
If your lathe has a different Morse taper size (e.g., 1MT or 2MT), a 0MT arbor won't fit. You'll need an arbor with the matching Morse taper size, or a reducing sleeve to adapt a larger arbor down to 0MT.
Decision rules for choosing a drill chuck arbor
- Identify the machine-side taper: Check the taper in your lathe's tailstock or spindle. If it's a #0 Morse taper, a 0MT arbor will fit directly. For larger tapers (1MT, 2MT), choose an arbor with that size or use a reducing sleeve. Always confirm the Morse taper number before ordering.
- Identify the chuck-side taper: Look for the Jacobs taper number on your drill chuck (e.g., 33JT, 1JT, 6JT). If it's 33JT, a 0MT to 33JT arbor works. If not, you need an arbor with the matching Jacobs taper. If the chuck taper is not 33JT, this arbor won't fit your chuck.
- Match the application to the taper size: Use a 0MT arbor for light-duty drilling like center drilling or small holes. For heavier drilling, choose a larger Morse taper (1MT or 2MT) to avoid slipping. When in doubt, go larger for heavy work.
- Check the arbor's quality and fit: Inspect the arbor for burrs or damage. Clean both taper surfaces before mounting. A proper taper seat should hold without wobble. Test the fit before using the chuck under load.
Product facts
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Arbor, Drill Chuck 0MT Standard to 33JT: This arbor has a 0 Morse taper that fits the tailstock of most lathes and a 33 Jacobs taper for the chuck. It's a direct match for bench top lathes with a #0 Morse taper tailstock and a chuck with a 33JT mount, so you can mount the chuck without extra adapters.
Arbor, Drill Chuck 0MT Standard to 33JT
Who should choose this arbor?
Best for
- Bench top lathes with a #0 Morse taper tailstock
- Drill chucks with a 33 Jacobs taper
- Light-duty drilling tasks like center drilling or small holes
Not for
- Lathes with 1MT or 2MT tailstocks (unless using a sleeve)
- Heavy drilling or large-diameter bits
- Chucks with non-33JT Jacobs tapers