Changing drill bits is easier and faster than you think
Whether you're using Milwaukee, DeWalt, Black & Decker, Craftsman, Ryobi, or another brand of drill, learning how to change a drill is very similar. However, depending on how you use the term "drillthrough", there are various types. No matter which type you are, this guide can teach you what you need to know.
Editor's Note: If you'd like a more comprehensive article, check out what we wrote about how to use a drill.
How to Replace a Drill with a Keyless Chuck
By far the most common type of drill chuck today is the keyless chuck. Chances are, the answer to your question lies in this section. Unlike your dad or grandpa's old power drill, which had an oddly shaped key clipped to its cord, the keyless chuck requires no tools at all.
The keyless chuck tightens and loosens simply by rotating the housing of the chuck. When you hold the drill with the chuck facing away from you, turning it counterclockwise will tighten the jaws around the drill, and turning it clockwise will loosen it.
When installing the drill for the first time, loosen the collet (clockwise) until it is just wide enough to slide the drill into it. Then tighten it (counterclockwise) until you feel it start to resist, then tighten a little more.
Some drill chucks have a ratchet mechanism to help. If your drill does, you'll feel and hear it click as the jaws tighten around the bit.
To remove the drill, bit, simply turn the chuck clockwise until you feel it release the bit.
Pro tip: If you replaced a drill bit and it wobbles weirdly when you pull the trigger, it may not be centered between the jaws. Loosen the collet and make sure all the teeth are engaged with the bit while clamping them down.
How to get a stuck drill out of a keyless chuck
Sometimes the drill chuck fits so tightly on the drill bit that it becomes difficult to loosen. In this case, your best bet is to grab a pair of adjustable pliers (Channellocks). Set them to grab the width of the outside of the chuck, and use the handle's extra leverage to loosen it.
It may help to lightly clamp the drill in a vise to give you an extra helping hand.
Three caveats , though. All metal chucks are very durable, but plastic chucks can be damaged with adjustable pliers if too much force is applied to the chuck.
Also, if you decide to place the drill in a vise and apply too much force, you risk damaging the drill's housing.
Finally, never try to loosen the collet by holding it in a vise and pulling the trigger. With the strength of some of today's workouts, even the strongest professionals don't have enough hand strength to keep the workout from swinging back and forth and injuring their wrists and elbows.
How to Change a Bit on a Drill with a Keyed Chuck
Although most modern chucks are keyless, there are some keyed models as well. However, the general principles are similar.
First, insert the tip of the drill key into the matching hole on the collet. You may need to turn a little to allow the teeth to slide together. From there, turn the key clockwise to loosen the chuck, and counterclockwise to tighten it.
How to change the bit on an impact driver/impact drill
Some people refer to an impact driver as an impact drill. 10 years ago, we might have argued that this was the wrong term. Today, however, there are 1/4" hex shank bits designed specifically for use with impact drivers. Technically, this makes it an impact drill.
Instead of a collet on the front of the impact driver, it has a collet. To replace the bit, pull the outside of the chuck out to release the bit inside. You can also pull it out to install a new one. Very simple.
Some impact drivers have been upgraded to make the process easier. Some designs feature one-handed bit insertion, allowing you to slide the bit in without pulling the collet.
There are also chucks with active bit ejection. They have a spring that pushes the bit out when you pull on the collet so you don't have to keep your hands on a hot drill or driver bit.
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Want to learn more about the drill bits and impact drivers we feature in this article? Check out the details on the Milwaukee Generation 4 M18 Fuel Impact Drill and Impact Driver!