Abstract: A chuck for holding a tool in a drill press includes a sleeve having an open end spaced above a workpiece to be drilled. A plurality of levers are pivotally mounted in the sleeve and the lower ends of the levers are fitted with jaws which grip the side of the tool shank entered into the sleeve. The innermost end of the tool abuts a cam member which is endwise movable in the sleeve. Springs are provided to hold inner ends of the levers in engagement with the cam member and to lightly hold the jaws against the tool shank. When the rotating tool is applied to the workpiece, the cam member is moved inwardly of the sleeve and the levers are rocked to increase the grip of the jaws upon the tool shank.