Abstract: A chuck that can be operated with or without a key, depending upon the amount of torque desired. The jaws are controlled by rotation of a screw ring about the axis of the chuck body that slides the jaws along jaw passages by engagement with teeth on the jaw surfaces. The screw ring is housed in a tightening knob that has a planar ring gear perpendicular to the chuck body axis. A tail section is rigidly attached to the chuck body below the tightening knob and houses a pinion gear that matingly engages the planar ring gear and rotates in concert with the tightening knob. Insertion of a hex key into a recess in the pinion gear allows the application of additional torque. Alternate embodiments incorporate a idler gear to reverse pinion gear rotation; locate the pinion gear in the tightening knob with the planar ring gear in the tail section; and utilize a planar ring gear on both the tail section and the tightening knob with a floating ring to house the pinion gear between the planar ring gears.