keyless drill

am i the only one who has trouble keeping a bit in a keyless drill, seems like the chuck is always loosening up. any sugestions(except using channel locks}.

 

gordypoo:

That's the normal for most keyless chucks.

Some are better than others but would recommend you get a drill with a keyed chuck for those tough jobs.

 

I have used Panasonic and Dewalt -- and never had the problem with the bits loosening. I do use a quick connect which has a hex shaft on it. I never have round shafted bits int he drill for long periods of time.

What type of drill are you using -- your problem would steer me away from that manufacturer.

 

gordypoo:

Bob is right about hex shank bits not slipping but unfortunately they are usually limited in selection and if one jams it would be more prone to breakage.

I have a 3/8" DeWalt, 3/8" Makita and an 18 volt Ryobi hammer drill with a 1/2" Jacobs chuck and they all slip to a certain degree if the bit jams.
Drilling technique as much as chuck tightness can cause slippage.
Impatience, lack of lubrication when drilling steel and not letting up on pressure when breaking through will cause jamming.
Also, drills with two speed gear boxes when operated in low range have a tremendous amount of torque that even the best chuck would have difficulty gripping.

You might try flushing the chuck with WD-40 in case dirt is preventing even pressure being applied to the bit.

BTW, what make and model drill do you have?

 

all the replies helped, each added something, i carry my drill on my belt while working of a ladder, nothing worse than the bit falling out, then using a magnet to find it, i am going back to keyed chucks, i havent found a keyed cordless yet. hate to go back to draging a cord again. any info on cordless keyed. guess i'll search the net. thanks

 

My 7.2 and 9 volt Makita's are keyed but they are fairly old.
When I have to go somewhere nasty with my keyless I carry a pocket full of bits.

What make and model drill do you have?

 

had a dewalt then robi, both dead. i didn't find anything on line, used to have a makita years ago, didn't have this problem, but didn't use it as much. thanks

 

Very surprising. I have had many battery drill in my day. Never had a problem with any of the keyless ones. Especially my two Panasonics with the ratcheting keyless chucks.

Try any of the "newer" drills, I doub't you'll have a problem.

 

thanks speedy, never heard of ratching, will look into that.

 

I don't know if ratcheting is the best term. It kind of clicks as the chuck is turned. I find this does help keep it tighter.

 

now i know what you mean, that only seems to happen when the adjustment isn't on full tork which i keep mine on all the time. i guess i;m going to have to spend the money & get a millwakee.

 

gordypoo - GregH gave good advice about WD40ing the chuck ... there's usually small metal chips or hardened concrete dust deep inside ... besides WD40, that spray stuff for cleaning computer keyboards can be pretty good too. But if you're not happy with your keyless chuck one option may be to switch to a keyed ... which is cheaper than buying a new drill machine .... you can switch chucks for under $10. Look down your keyless chuck for a screw ... if you see one inside you can remove it and then unscrew the chuck and replace it with a keyed type. If there is no screw your chuck is probably the pressed on type which can't come off with the usual handtools .... which is also often considered a sign of a low end tool.

 

gordypoo:

One thing I didn't mention is that most of the time that my keyless loosens is when I'm removing screws.
The head of a keyless is bigger than a keyed chuck and in reverse it either rubs on the sides of what I'm working on or if the screw is tight or awkward, steadying the drill by the chuck will cause the thing to loosen.

Maybe a lefthanded chuck would be good for taking stuff apart. Hey, a reversible thread chuck!

 

i sure didn;t expect to learn this much about a drill, will certainlly try all the advice & post back with results later, thanks all .