Keyless Chuck Drills... grrrrrrrrr!

[Pappy]

Seems like there ought to be a standard for shanks that are some shape other than round at the base. I have a bunch of brace bits like that and the set of fastener driver bits I bought at the local hardware place has square shanks. Why not drill bits, or am I overlooking something stupidly obvious?

I've had the chuck on my drill press slip, but it needs to be replaced or repaired anyway.

I bought a set of DeWalt cobalt bits recently that have 3 flats on the shank on the larger bits. Never looked to see if any other type bits are available like that.

[Tequila]

I have a Milwaukee 14V cordless. I got it specifically because of their 1/2" racheting keyless chuck - I've never had trouble with it slipping. I'm not sure if their corded drills have the same chuck, but if you like your other Milwaukee tools, it might be worth checking them out.

[LinuxRandal]

My current cordless drill (Panasonic 15.6v), has a semi decent keyless chuck (out of the ones I have used). My old Makita's, I swapped one of the regular chucks, for the cordless, originally to use it more as a screwgun.

I have a Corded, regular chuck 3/8" DeWalt, a (unknown of the top of my head) DeWalt corded, regular chuck hammer drill, have been looking at either a 3/8" right angle Makita, or 45 degree/right angle Milwaukee drill.

Jacobs chucks are the standard ones I see, that you can replace your keyless chucks with. The only bad thing, is the newer drills, don't always have a good place for the key anymore.

[leehljp]

Hank, instead of searching for a chuck that will hold a 1/16 inch shank, have you tried using one of those "quick-change" type bits? (see picture) The hex end is meant to be slipped into the quick change adapter, but it'll work just fine in the chuck on it's own.

Yes, I have a few of the hex head bits, but I have a whole slew of 2 mm and smaller bits on hand and they just won't fit the Ryobi Drill Driver chuck.

[SARGE..g-47]

Whoa... I haven't looked at this post this evening as busy, but was surprised to see so many post. I'm glad I started it as some good info has come from it. I thought maybe I was the only one that had the problem.. but should have known better.

I would like to have a Milwaukee as I love their routers and am familar with the Sawzall even though I have a Dewalt that won't quit so I can get the Sawzall. But the M drill is around $100 and I love the Hitachi with the exception of the keyless chuck. The H 1/2" drill I have delivers more torque than that old Craftsman did and it was a hoss and still is according to my BIL.

And I have often wondered also about why someone doesn't just put a hex shank or similar on the upper portion of the bit. I suspect that once you get away from a cylindrical cut on the round rod, the price would be driven up drastically to add the non-round shape? Just a guess..

Again.. thanks for the in-put guys as I have learned a few things and if nothing else.. know I have company with the problem. That doesn't keep those bits from slipping.. but make me feel better knowing that I am not the only one they chose to do it too.

Regards to All...

[John Hunter]

Yes, I have a few of the hex head bits, but I have a whole slew of 2 mm and smaller bits on hand and they just won't fit the Ryobi Drill Driver chuck.

I ran into the same thing with my Ryobi 18v 1/2" drill. Where the 1/2" chuck would not tighten on them I found that my 18V Ryobi right angle drill with the 3/8" chuck does.

[Tom Slick]

I have a Milwaukee 14V cordless. I got it specifically because of their 1/2" racheting keyless chuck - I've never had trouble with it slipping. I'm not sure if their corded drills have the same chuck, but if you like your other Milwaukee tools, it might be worth checking them out.

I haven't had the chuck on my 14v milwaukee slip either. the newer rohm chucks on the makitas seem to also be good.

in general the threads for chucks are the same and their capacity, a 3/8" drill has a 3/8"-24 mount and a 1/2" drill has a 1/2"-20 mount. you can mix and match chucks as long as they are the same mount. jacobs does make a conversion chuck with 3/8"-24 thread and 1/2" capacity. new chucks usually cost about $30-50 and you will probably want to order a new lock screw (LH thread) with the new chuck because you will probably destroy the screw removing it.

[leehljp]

I ran into the same thing with my Ryobi 18v 1/2" drill. Where the 1/2" chuck would not tighten on them I found that my 18V Ryobi right angle drill with the 3/8" chuck does.

I am going to look for one when I am back there next month. OK everyone, pray for my pocketbook; it is going on a 30 day crash diet!

[SARGE..g-47]

I was getting ready to order a keyed chuck and stumbled across the fact that Jacobs (everybody in the U.S. knows what a Jacobs chuck is) is owned and a division of Danaher. I've discovered some interesting things about chucks and drills I did not know in 36 years of owning them.

May have to sign up and do some post graduate work on the subject!

Thanks again All...

[John Hunter]

I am going to look for one when I am back there next month. OK everyone, pray for my pocketbook; it is going on a 30 day crash diet!

I bought mine for a project where I needed to get into some places the regular drill was to big for. Since then I found that I use it all the time.