Removing a drill chuck

[markba633csi]

Is there a danger of damage to a drill's gearbox when removing a chuck using the big hex key and mallet approach?
I'm hesitant to whack too hard and bust something, but it's really on there- any tips?
Seems like the same dilemma as a lathe stuck chuck situation but in miniature
I'm tempted to take the drill apart and work on the spindle/chuck assembly separately
-M

 

[TorontoBuilder]

Is there a danger of damage to a drill's gearbox when removing a chuck using the big hex key and mallet approach?
I'm hesitant to whack too hard and bust something, but it's really on there- any tips?
Seems like the same dilemma as a lathe stuck chuck situation but in miniature
I'm tempted to take the drill apart and work on the spindle/chuck assembly separately
-M

from a drill not from the arbor for a mill?

I tried twice to remove chucks from cordless drills and failed both times. I gave up as being too difficult for a dead drill.
You would do well to take it apart then you can clamp the relevant parts in a vise.

 

[markba633csi]

Thanks, that's what I was thinking. I wonder how many drills are wrecked trying to do this (following Jacobs' advice)
If you can break backgears on a lathe you can break a drill gearcase

 

[GunsOfNavarone]

Maybe I'm not following....is this what you're needed?
Chuck wedge

 

[Hawkeye]

If it's an electric hand drill, it probably has a screw inside the chuck that prevents the chuck from unscrewing when the drill is in reverse. Open the chuck all the way and look inside with a flashlight. If you see a Philips screw, it will be a left-hand thread. Turn it to the right to remove it, Then the chuck might prove quite easy to remove by turning it to the left.

 

[wayback machine]

I've removed a couple chucks from hand drills this way, and with no damage that I could tell.
Be sure there isn't a retaining screw in there, first.

 

[markba633csi]

It's a Sears 3/8" corded drill, Chinese made but decent quality- poor keyless chuck that I want to replace with a key type.
Don't think there is a retaining screw but I'll look again

 

[WobblyHand]

I replaced the chuck on a 3/8" Craftman cordless drill. Left hand screw was relatively easy to get out. (Once I realized it was LH!) After that, I had to use a BFH and the largest hex key I could find (that I was willing to hit with a BFH) to whack the hex key CCW, ie loosen a right handed thread. Took a bit of nerve to do this, but it did work. You need the impact to loosen it. Timid taps will not work. I rested the handle and body of the drill on the bench and had the chuck near the edge of the bench. The short end of the allen key was in the drill chuck and the long end was sticking out away from the bench. Smacked the long end out near the end with a 2 lb hammer. Loosened up and was able to replace the chuck.

Drill works fine and I have a decent chuck on it now.

 

[Jake M]

Is there a danger of damage to a drill's gearbox when removing a chuck using the big hex key and mallet approach?
I'm hesitant to whack too hard and bust something, but it's really on there- any tips?
Seems like the same dilemma as a lathe stuck chuck situation but in miniature
I'm tempted to take the drill apart and work on the spindle/chuck assembly separately
-M

I've worn out and replaced many hand drill chucks in my time in the repair business, and I've beaten the crap out of some pretty expensive drills, and a few cheap ones. I never broke one, and the chucks got updated, and while I've never seen a failure as a result of that, it sure as heck can't have made the rest of the drill any newer...

Look carefully at your drill. Perhaps cruise through the internet and see if you can come up with a parts diagram. I can't think of any drill I've ever owned where the "spindle" extended inside the housing anywhere beyond the nose cone. They're usually quite short. If that's the case, you can't remove the "spindle" to clamp it in a vise, until after you've removed the chuck.

I look at it like this- If the drill is good, leave it be. If the drill is no good, it's no good. So if it's no good due to the chuck.... You've got nothing to loose by doing what it takes to remove the chuck.

.02

 

[markba633csi]

It's a reversible drill motor so I have a feeling it's glued on- I may just leave it be