Changing the drill bit is a common task for drilling through large and precise holes for plenty of purposes. But, unfortunately, many DIYers don’t know how to change a drill bit as there are some considerations. The drill bit changing method mainly depends on the type of the chuck, whether it is keyed or keyless. Despite this, the process may vary for different brands of the drill. Luckily, we have covered the whole thing in this guide.
We will present the drill bit changing method for both keyed and keyless chucks in detail. More importantly, the reader will learn how to change drill bits on different brands of drills, including Black & Decker, Makita, Craftsman, and Ryobi. The aim is to help change the drill bit properly and quickly.
How to change the drill bit on keyed chuck
To loosen or tighten the drill chuck, use the chuck key supplied with the drill. Most of the drill keys are cog-shaped. Insert the chuck key tip into one of the side holes on the chuck and joint its teeth with the chuck teeth. The drill includes a place to store the chuck key. It is easier to find the key storing place on a corded drill compared to its cordless counterparts.
Open the chuck jaws
After placing the key in the proper position, turn it counterclockwise. Over time, you will notice the jaws opening up. Once you find the jaws come out enough to insert the drill bit, stop turning the key. Usually, the chuck has three or four-piece jaws that immobilize the bit.
Remove the drill bit and inspect it
Once the jaws are open enough, remove the existing drill bit with your thumb and index. If you turn the drill face down, keeping the jaws wide open, the bit can fall out to the ground and get damaged. After successfully removing the drill bit, inspect it carefully. If you find any worn areas, cracked or frayed cutting parts, discolored tips, or they look dull, replace the drill bit and throw it in the trash.
Replace with a new drill bit
Now insert your new drill bit, keeping the jaws open enough. Make sure you have placed the bits smooth end into the chuck jaws. To do so, hold the smooth part of the bit with your index and thumb fingers and put it into the jaws of the chuck. Hold the drill bit firmly in place and tighten the jaws tightly. If it slips out, then repeat the steps and retighten the chuck, keeping the bit in place.
Adjust the chuck
Rotate the jaws of the chuck clockwise using the key while holding the drill bit with one hand and the chuck key with the other. To ensure the drill bit is placed securely between the jaws, turn the chuck key for the last time in each of the slots. Finally, keep your hand away from the drill bit and switch on the drill to check the task. If you find the drill bit is operational for drilling, then you have done. Otherwise, recheck the bit to find out is it placed and tightened properly or not.
How to change a drill bit on a keyless chuck
The keyed chuck drill machines also need to loosen the chuck of the keyless chuck drill. So, hold the chuck and the handle of the drill with both hands. Then turn the chuck clockwise and you will notice the chuck coming out loose. If the process doesn’t work, gently pull the trigger while unlocking the chuck.
Use a screwdriver
Some grills don’t have a self-locking system, making the chuck loosening task harder. For such a drill, use a Phillips screwdriver to complete the job. Put the screwdriver’s sharp end into the recess of the chuck and twist it. Following the way, you should loosen the chuck easily.
Remove the drill bit
After loosening the chuck the fastener will come out that holds the drill bit. If you have recently run through the drill, don’t touch the bit as it will be very hot. Wear the glove and let the drill bit calm down and then take out the drill bit. Now you can insert a new drill bit.
Set the new drill bit
Now insert the new drill bit into the center of the chuck and make sure it’s smooth or the shank part facing the jaws. Then rotate the chuck, holding the bit lightly so the bit can be securely placed into the chuck. Remember, if you remove the finger before placing the bit securely, it can fall out.
Ratchet mechanism and Finish the job
Some drill machines have a ratcheting mechanism where you need to apply extra pressure to the bit shank. Then it needs to rotate the mechanism in forward direction until the bit clicks into place. If your power drill doesn’t have such a system, then escape the step.
Finally, start the drill at the lowest speed to check if the drill bit is placed properly or not.
How to remove the drill bit if the chuck gets damaged?
\If the chuck only gets jammed, then it doesn’t need to dismantle the whole chuck. Just make the chuck passable and gently tap a hammer on the center sleeve. It should come out. If the chuck is really damaged, follow the process to get rid of the drill bit from it:
Wear your protective gloves and run the drill in reverse while holding the chuck in hand. Ultimately, you will find the chuck loosening, which will allow you to remove the bit easily. If it’s not, then soak the chuck head in WD40 to loosen the drill bit.
Let’s have a look how to change drill bit in different brands of drill
How to change the drill bit of Black & Decker drill
Black & Decker is a giant company that produces a wide range of power tools used for home renovation and commercial purposes. Power drills and wrenches are the most common products from that brand that are multifunctional, durable, and reliable among professional enthusiasts. Usually, Black & Decker drills come with a keyless chuck that allows the bit replacing task without a key.
The mechanism of the Black & Decker drills allows changing the drill bit easily and quickly. Let’s learn how to change the drill bit black and decker without a key: Firstly, lock the button from the unlock position that is placed above the trigger. Hole the chuck bottom part with your hand and twist the chuck front reverse with your other hand. Doing so will open the chuck of the Black & Decker drill. Then simply insert the drill bit in place and rotate the chuck clockwise until it is placed securely.
How to Change the Bit: Ryobi 18.0 V Drill
Firstly, lock the switch trigger by placing the rotation selector of the drill in its middle position. Then twist the chuck sleeve forward to open the chuck’s jaws. Take the old bit out of the chuck.
Again, twist the chuck sleeve to largely wide the jaws of the chuck. Rise the drill front a little bit so you can insert the drill bit without it falling out. Now you can put the new drill bit into the jaws of the Ryobi 18.0 v drill. Finally, rotate the chuck sleeve in the forward direction to properly lock the drill bit in the right place.
How to change the drill bit: Makita drill
To change the drill bit on a Makita corded drill, first, unplug it from the power outlet. Then grasp the drill and the drill chuck with both hands. Now turn the drill chuck to the right to loosen it to remove the existing old bit. Once removed, place the new drill bit into the chuck and turn it to the left to close the chuck. Make sure you have tightened the chuck of the Makita drill properly so it can’t come loose while you are powering on the drill.
How to change drill bit: Craftsman Cordless Drill
Start by placing the power switch of the Craftsman Cordless Drill in the center position. Otherwise, it could cause an accident while powering on the drill to change the drill bit. Now grasp the craftsman drill with one hand and rotate the collar of the chuck with the other hand in the reverse direction. You will find the drill bit coming out of the chuck. Replace the drill bit with a new one and twist the chuck clockwise to firmly tighten it.
Why it is important to change the drill?
You may often see DIY enthusiasts switching drill bits while drilling through materials. It may feel like you are only a show or something that believes the handyman in this business and it’s a natural part of the job. There are ample of reasons behind changing the drill bit. DIYers need this action to remove wear and tear and especially to prevent cracks.
Changing drill bits is essential for drilling through larger holes in different materials. You can create a larger diameter hole at the initial steps, which will not only damage the surface but also crack the drill bit itself.
Another reason for changing the drill bit is to work on sensitive surfaces like fiberglass or plastic. Drilling through glass without breaking it requires step drill bits. It means you have to start with the smallest size drill bit and slowly increase the diameter to create a hole successfully.
Lastly, different drill bits are designed to drill through different types of materials. So, DIYers need to change the drill bit when altering the drill surfaces. For example, once drilling through wood, you have to change the drill bit if your next project is drilling a hole in plexiglass. You can’t use the same drill bit for both concrete and glass.
FAQs on How to change a drill bit
Are all drill bits universally compatible?
No, you can’t put all the bits in any drill. A power drill is generally designed with a certain size chuck which determines what size drill bit you can insert into it. For example, a drill with ½” sized chuck only allows ½” drill bit to be put into it for drilling through.
Why did the drill bit wobble?
Running the drill for an extended time, the chuck of the drill bit can come out loose. And the loosened chuck can cause wobbles in the drill bit if you again run the drill without tightening the chuck. To tighten the drill chuck, shift the rotation direction selector to the middle point. Then tighten the chuck, rotating it in the right direction as desired.
What determines the quality of a drill bit?
The best drill bit should be made of tough metal and include a cobalt blend. A drill bit with 5%–8% cobalt offers the bit a steel blend which helps retain the hardness of the bit for a long time.
Change a drill bit Safely
Hopefully, now you know how to change the drill bit. The effort and the method of changing the drill bit can vary depending on the type and the manufacturer of a drill. Some drill chucks may let you change the bit effortlessly and simply by following a few steps, while others may require force and apart from the whole thing.
However, we have discussed the drill bit changing process for both keyed and keyless chucks as well as some of the best drill companies to help you complete the operation successfully.
