No Drill Chuck Key? No Problem • How To Remove Drill Bits Without A Key

[halfmumi]

Good tip. In our uni workshop, The chucks are "welded" with small chain next to the drills.I guess this can too...

[steppeterwolf]

Thank you so much for this solution. I only wish I had encountered this video a few hours earlier before I was running my lesser power drill into the ground while my Millwauke sat there watching because I lost the key.

[askwoodman]

@steppeterwolf I feel your frustration. It is what drove me to figure this solution out. I am using it almost everyday right now because that Hilti chuck teeth are so hard they have worn down the key that came with it, and I have not located a suitable replacement yet. Thanks for taking the time to send me such positive message. That Milwaukee will have no excuses now about earning its keep :)

[littlespinycactus]

Top tip! thank u

[askwoodman]

@littlespinycactus Thanks. I like that type of pliers for this operation because of their delicate touch on the grab of the chuck. I use the smaller pair to crack pecans because of the precise subtle pressure that can be exerted. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Happy New Year.

[tread684]

Simple elegant solution. Just a tip for storing the key , use a rare earth magnet on the housing, no cords/tape/string to mess with around a rotating chuck

[MrSuperMation]

I've had that problem before but I used a Philips head screw driver in place of the drill bit and used it as the fulcrum for a flat head screw driver placed in the gear where the teeth of the key would go pried the chuck. The channel locks looked easier, but if you are stuck without channel locks, there you go. :-)

[askwoodman]

@MrSuperMation Yes fortunately I lose my chuck key in my shop where I do 99% of my work, so my channel locks are always handy. But in a pinch your method is a sweet technique to keep in my hip pocket. Thanks for commenting bringing more info to the site.

[h23sirlude]

thanks for the tips.

[Manicwensday1]

Thanks very much for that hint going to my shed to attack a drill that has no key and a bit that's been in there for ages.

[askwoodman]

@Manicwensday1 Glad you can use that info. The reason I use Channel Locks is because for one thing they open wide enough to accommodate the chuck but they have a very sensitive bite. They grab with just enough pressure to hold the chuck without over pressuring like a vise grip can. I use a small pair to crack pecans in my shop. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[kobronat]

i`m using SDS, but key is good taped with electric tape to the a t cord.

[askwoodman]

@kobronat Keys attached to cords seem to get hung up. I have tried string, tape, and special plastic key holders but have always found having the key on the cord a pain.

[wdworking]

Great tips. Your prize pig is no better than mine either. Look forward to more of your video's. Even if it's been a while since you shot this one. Thank you.

[buywoodworkingplans]

Thanks for all the great tips!

[askwoodman]

@kevinmiller A keyless chuck bites as well as a keyed chuck? That must be why keyless chucks are so poular on drill presses and lathes. The physics of torque would also disagree with you. I have a Festool cordless drill that is great but even as high quality as Festool is and as strong as my hands are, larger bits sometime loosen in the chuck. I have and used both everyday. I have never destroyed a keyed chuck but Makita Milwaukee and DeWalt keyless chucks have quit working.

[threehappypenguins]

Thank you! Now I don't have to phone my husband at work and have him laugh at me! I don't think he ever uses a chuck key with our drill (I just discovered what a chuck key was). But I never paid attention to how he opened and closed it.

[askwoodman]

@threehappypenguins Many drills have "keyless" chucks. These are usually lighter duty drills. I love the keyless chuck in my cordless, but when you start trying to chuck larger tooling in a drill I prefer to have "keyed" chucks because of the absolute bite they give. Thank you for commenting and watching. Allan

[threehappypenguins]

@askwoodman It's definitely not a keyless chuck. It has the gears and holes and stuff on it.

[KevinMillard68]

@askwoodman wether the chuck is keyed or keyless makes not difference as to how well it grabs and also makes no difference on the quailiy of the drill either, you get what you pay for buy junk get junk, buy quaility get quaility this is true most 95% of the time or more,

[mamboville]

My favorite line, "this drill press is certainly no prize pig."

[askwoodman]

@mamboville Thank you for noticing the subtle comedy stylings of askwoodman.

[GBMorris]

That technique could have saved me a lot of hassle if I'd known it a little while ago! Informative as always, thanks!

[askwoodman]

@GBMorris Thanks for the comment. I have never liked to leave the key on a lanyard attached to the cord. It always seems to get hung up. I misplace my drill press key the

most. So I will look for the key for only moment or two before I reach for the drill bit and pliers. The key always turns up, but in the meantime I can keep working.