How To Change The Drill Bit? (With Different Tools)

One of a DIYer’s first steps toward becoming a great DIYer is changing a drill bit. This is no small achievement, though, for someone who isn’t quite at ease using power tools yet.

New users may feel uncomfortable with the drill’s torque, and the various chuck types may complicate the task. This tutorial on changing a drill bit can help to reduce some of the uncertainty and intimidation associated with the task.

Need-to-Know Drill Parts

It’s crucial to understand a number of the drill’s component parts when learning how to change a bit on one.

• The bit is held in place by the jaws, which are also referred to as a collet.
• The rounded portion enclosing the jaws is called the chuck. The jaws are opened and closed by the chuck.
• The position of the direction selector, which is located above the trigger, controls the chuck’s rotational direction.
• The trigger regulates how much power is transferred from the battery to the motor and how quickly the chuck rotates.

The installation of drill attachments or changing drill bits will be much simpler if you are aware of these components and how they operate.

How to Change Drill Bits With a Keyless Chuck

With keyless chucks, which are found on the majority of contemporary cordless power drills, the bit-holding mechanism can be loosened or tightened without the need for a special tool. While this does make learning how to change drill bits easier, it can initially be confusing for some less experienced do-it-yourselfers.

The procedure for changing the bit on a drill with a keyless chuck is given below.

STEP 1: Switch the Drill into the Counter-clockwise Position.

Take the drill in both hands, placing one hand on the grip and the other on the drill chuck.

Put the drill in counterclockwise mode by pushing the direction selector near the trigger all the way to the right while holding the grip. By using the trigger and motor, the user will be able to loosen the chuck.

STEP 2: Gently Squeeze the Trigger.

To keep the bit from coming out during this process, slightly raise the trigger.

With one hand, firmly grasp the chuck and slowly squeeze the trigger. Before the jaws release the bit and the chuck spins freely, it will start to twist a little in the user’s hand.

Pull back on the trigger to release the bit from the jaws, then lock the direction selector to the middle position.

STEP 3: Insert the New Bit and Tighten.

Put the chuck’s jaws around the new bit. Take a firm hold of the chuck, move it all the way to the left, and then slowly squeeze the trigger to force the jaws to latch onto the bit. To make sure the jaws are firmly gripping the bit, let go of the trigger and quickly turn the chuck by hand.

How to Change Drill Bits With a Keyed Chuck

Keyed chucks are used with drill presses or corded power drills. These devices work similarly to keyless chucks in that the jaws clamp down on the bit, but users must operate them with a special wrench called a “key” to clamp down or loosen the bit.

Here is a guide on how to take out a drill bit and put it back in a keyed chuck.

STEP 1: Unplug the Tool and Fit the Wrench in the Chuck.

Unplugging the device first is advised to avoid injury from accidentally bumping a trigger or on-switch while putting a wrench into a keyed chuck.

Finding the key is the next step (it is typically mounted on the drill press’s side or attached to the cord). Then, insert it so that the small knob at the end slides into one of the chuck’s holes, meshing the teeth of the key with those of the chuck.

STEP 2: Twist the Key to Open the Chuck.

To open the chuck’s jaws, turn the key counterclockwise while applying firm pressure to it. The teeth on the key will rotate the teeth on the chuck like a set of gears.

Remove the key and turn the chuck by hand to unlock the jaws after the pressure has been released. A sharpening of the bit may be necessary if the bit falls out during the procedure.

STEP 3: Insert the New Bit and Twist the Chuck Closed.

If the bit is larger, manually loosen the chuck until it will fit. Smaller bits should be hand-tightened until they are centered between the jaws.

Before inserting the key into the chuck, manually tighten it onto the bit as much as possible. Turn the key in a clockwise direction to tighten the bit’s jaws.

How to Change Bits on An Impact Driver

Impact drivers use different types of bits and have a unique chuck called “quick release” that is quite easy to use. However, the user might be spinning their wheels (and the chuck) until they figure out how these chucks operate if they are unfamiliar with how they operate. The actions listed below can assist.

STEP 1: Grip the Base of the Chuck and Pull.

To hold their bits, impact drivers use spring-loaded chucks with internal ball detents. To get rid of these bits, grasp the chuck’s base with your thumb and forefinger and pull it away from the tool’s front.

Despite being free, the bit might not drop out. Try again, but this time grasp the bit and the chuck and release the bit by sliding them both forward simultaneously.

STEP 2: Place the New Bit in the Chuck.

When inserting the new bit into the chuck, tilt the impact driver upward. Make sure to align the impact driver bits properly because their bases are hex-shaped. Keep the driver pointing up to prevent the bit from falling out since it is likely still not ready to snap into the chuck.

STEP 3: Pull the Chuck Forward to Seat the Bit.

Pull the chuck forward to release the detents and let the bit fall into place while the impact driver is still pointing upward. It might be necessary to move the impact driver slightly or even push the bit in while holding the chuck open.

Once the bit has entered the driver, pull on it to make sure it is seated before releasing the chuck.

How to Change the Drill Bit in a Makita Drill

In order to be able to change the drill bit on your Makita drill do the following steps:

1. The power cord must first be removed from the outlet. When you press the start button if the device is still connected to the power source, you risk hurting yourself.
2. Now place your left hand on the drill’s chuck and hold it there.
3. On the drill chuck, place your right hand.
4. Put your hand where it will be simple to turn the drill chuck.
5. To insert the new drill bit and remove the old one, first open the chuck.
6. Drill chuck turned to the right will loosen.
7. The new drill bit is then inserted.
8. In order to re-close the chuck, you must turn it to the left. In the chuck, the drill should rest on the back and be as straight as possible.
9. Ensure that the drill chuck is tightly fastened before beginning to drill.

Close Note

Not always it is simple to change the drill bit. Sometimes you need to put a little more pressure on the spindle, and other times you need to disassemble everything. Even though these tools are qualitatively superior, there is always the possibility of some mechanism blocking. It most commonly occurs when you leave the drill in wet areas.

No matter what kind of chuck your drill has, changing the bit only requires a few simple steps. You will now have completed the process of changing the drill bit.