KeyLess Chucks - Grrrr........

Gordon Gould · Sep 25, 2016

I needed to replace my Makita corded 3/8 drill. It had a nice keyed chuck. I was leary of keyless chucks but they all seem to have them. I bought a 3/8 corded Dewalt. First hole happened to be 3/8" in 1/8" mild steel. Chuck slipped on starting with a 1/8 pilot hole and again at the end of the hole. I really had to hold it back. Main part of the hole was fine. It was a good sharp bit and to be fair the thing has a ton of torque with an 8 amp motor but still shouldn't the chuck be designed for that.

Is this typical ? Or is there something I am doing wrong or can do to make things better ? All the reviews I read said Dewalt was good as any and better than most. Or do I just invest in some hex shank bits and forget it ? Thanks

gg

Mendonsy · Sep 25, 2016

Hex shank bits are probably the best bet. Nobody seems to make a keyless that will hold very well, but at least you don't have to look for the key every time you need to use it.
Maybe the Makita chuck would fit on your DeWalt??

roadhunter · Sep 25, 2016

I seem to like the newer ones that hold still while you tighten them by hand. The old ones that spin are really a PITA.

You can swap out chuks for a keyed one if you prefer. I've had the whole chuck unscrew from the drill before so I know its' possible.

mrmikey · Sep 25, 2016

IMHO keyless chucks are a PIA, never used one yet that didn't slip unless you babied it.........Mike

4570Man · Sep 25, 2016

The ratcheting chucks in my handheld drills haven't ever given any trouble.

moriboy · Sep 25, 2016

4570Man said:
The ratcheting chucks in my handheld drills haven't ever given any trouble.

Same here. I have 4 Milwaukee cordless drill/drivers. Never had any problems with the keyless chucks.

downsizingnow48 · Sep 25, 2016

My 1/2" Makita cordless is about 6 years old, the keyless chuck never slips. Using standard bits up to 1/2" and hole saws to 1" in mild steel.

Deere Dude · Sep 25, 2016

Had a keyed Black and Decker I switched the chuck to keyless. The keyless chuck couldn't hold a bit no matter what I did so I threw the whole thing in the junk.

From good reviews on keyless chucks from this forum I bought two 3/8" drills with keyless chucks. They worked fine for a short while but even though I am a big guy with plenty of grip I can't get them to hold bits again.

I found the trick; take a 12" pair of pliers or channel locks to grip the chuck when tightening. Then they work fine for me. But I need the big pliers to loosen it up again to. Sometimes the smaller drill bits take off when loosening them so need to be diligent.

Redlands Okie · Sep 25, 2016

If you need to you can run a file, grinder, etc down at least one side of your bits. Does not take much.

dadster4 · Sep 25, 2016

I've seen too many guys just hold the chuck and pull the trigger to tighten it down...that won't do it...after that is done, with the drill OFF, give the chuck a twist by hand...that'll do it

Gordon Gould · Sep 25, 2016

Thanks for the comments. I guess I didn't say but it is a ratcheting chuck. The channel locks - actually 2 channel locks - make it a lot better. But it still slips. Maybe I should look at the positive side and consider that slipping is better than a broken wrist.

So now instead of a key attached to the cord I need two sets of channel lock pliers - progress.

Just trying to figure if it worth the hassle bringing it back or will I just get another the same way.

gg

gg

Gordon Gould · Sep 25, 2016

Thanks for the comments. I guess I didn't say but it is a ratcheting chuck. The channel locks - actually 2 channel locks - make it a lot better. But it still slips. Maybe I should look at the positive side and consider that slipping is better than a broken wrist.

So now instead of a key attached to the cord I need two sets of channel lock pliers - progress.

Just trying to figure if it is worth the hassle bringing it back or will I just get another the same way.

gg

gg

ArlyA · Sep 25, 2016

Well I'm with the other guys, you couldn't give me a keyed chuck anymore, at least for my cordless tools. (I have three or four cordless drills) They've really made good improvements with these chucks over the years. Do note, I'm not saying theirs not some poor ones one there. If I'm concerned that something needs to be overly tight in one, I run them shut at high speed. Doing this is like hammering them tight by speeding the drill and snaps it tighter into the chuck. But them I'll add, its rarely an issue.

Ed of all trades · Sep 25, 2016

I have a Grizzly keyless on my drill press and love it, plan on buying another for my smaller press. Have used it on up to 3/4 bits on 1/4 mild steel and it has always worked well. Ed

Deere Dude · Sep 25, 2016

Give me a good brand name keyed chuck any day for long hard use. For drilling into styrofoam, keyless chucks are fine.

zmansmac · Sep 25, 2016

I used to have a problem once in a while with my keyless chucks. Both drill presses and several of my cordless drills have them. Then a while back, in another forum, a fellow said to never let the drill bottom out in a keyless chuck when you tighten it. I don't recall the details but he said something about the drill having a tendency to draw into the chuck when first pressed against the material you are drilling. So I've been following his advice ever since and have not had any more issues.

I'm not saying this would solve your problem because I'm sure the mechanical tolerances in some of these chucks, especially the cheaper imported ones, could lead to problems. But it doesn't cost anything to try this method.

TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark · Sep 26, 2016

I have two cordless DeWalts here. One is a hammer drill and has an all-metal chuck. I have drilled some big holes and it never slips. Love that thing.

The other is just a regular drill, only now it's a Philip's screw driver exclusively. Can't get it to let loose of the Philip's bit that's in it. I suspect my pet grizzly bear (my big #1 son) over-tightened it in there until the mechanism broke. It's not coming off.

So... good and bad.

But no slipping problems.

CADplans · Sep 26, 2016

If the hole diameter is greater than the material thickness,,, simply use a step drill bit,,,

This drill never has a problem with thin materials,, either type chuck will be successful.
The best part is that after the hole is drilled, simply run the drill in from the opposite side,,, the hole will be deburred!! :thumbsup:

woodlandfarms · Sep 26, 2016

I hate to say this but return the Dewalt. IMO they have gone hugely down hill. I have heard that the Home Depot versions are of poorer quality than one you get factory direct but I do not know that conclusively.

dieselcrawler · Sep 26, 2016

I've had alot (10 or more, owned a electrical contracting company a dozen years) DeWalt drills over the last 15+ years, all with keyless chuck's. The best ones are the all metal chucks on the 1/2" drills that won't allow the chuck to turn when not running. They will ratchet down real tight. However, we have one in the shop at my current employer that is a real PITA, slipping on even light duty applications. (I refuse to take my good personal tools to work. Underpaid as it is, not donating tools too)