How to Change a Drill Chuck

An electric drill chuck secures the bit in place while the drill spins. There are three adjustable jaws that are tightened by a thick metal collar. Some drills use a chuck key to adjust the metal collar, while others use a keyless chuck that can be adjusted by hand. Over time, the chuck may become worn down or lose tension. It is very dangerous to operate an electric drill with a loose chuck because the bit can fly out at high speed. These easy steps will show you how to change your drill chuck in just a few minutes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Electric drill
• New drill chuck
• Screwdriver
• Large Allen wrench
• Rubber mallet

1. Unplug the drill or remove the battery pack before beginning. Open the drill chuck as far as it will go and look inside. Some drills have a screw inside the chuck that must be loosened before the chuck can be removed.

2. Insert a large Allen wrench in the chuck and tighten the jaws until it is secure. Use a rubber mallet to tap the wrench counterclockwise until the chuck begins to loosen. Twist the chuck off the drill's spindle with your hands.

3. Place the new drill chuck onto the spindle and turn it clockwise as far as you can by hand. Insert the Allen wrench into the chuck jaws and tighten the collar. Use the rubber mallet to tap the wrench in a clockwise direction until the chuck is tightly held on the spindle. Loosen the chuck jaws and remove the Allen wrench.

Tips & Warnings

• The chuck of an older model electric drill can be replaced with a keyless chuck to make it easier to change the drill bits.
• Make sure the new chuck is securely in place before using the drill. Even a slight vibration in the chuck can cause it to become loose as the drill spins. Hold the drill up in the air and give it a couple of test spins to check for vibrations before attempting to drill into any material.