Buy yourself a new keyless drill chuck if you’re still pleased with your ancient corded or cordless drill but frustrated with having to find the chuck key every time you want to change drill bits, you’ll be pleased to know that you can probably change that ancient keyed chuck for a new keyless drill chuck. No more fumbling for the chuck key, just twist on, twist off and all that convenience will cost is about 1/2 hour of your time and around $35. Getting the chuck off your existing drill is pretty straight forward and if you’ve still got the owner’s manual for your existing drill it probably tells you how to remove the ancient chuck.

With so many choices, it’s difficult to find and purchase the right tool. It will be even more confusing when tool manufacturers reach their goal of having all their electric-designed tools on batteries. Actually, it took me quite a while to decide to buy my first cordless drill because I had a mental block about using a battery vs. 120 volts of pure power. I know from personal experience as I test manufacturers’ cordless tools that they are not designed to replace electric tools. Both have their place in home improvement projects.

Battery life

Today’s cordless models can certainly give electric-powered tools a run for their money. The new high-capacity batteries, like the Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) extend running time over Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) batteries by 25 to 50 percent, depending on environmental and working conditions between charges. NiCad batteries hold their charges better between uses and work at lower temperatures. On the other hand, NiMH batteries are better for the environment because they contain no cadmium or mercury.

Of course, the new “smart” chargers really help manage battery life. They can correctly charge a battery in an hour or less, even if the batteries are hot from use, because they pulse the charge into the battery. A microprocessor inside the charger senses when each cell is fully charged, so the charger no longer relies on battery temperature to judge if charging is complete. This minimizes heat buildup so batteries last longer.

Bosch’s Bluecore battery system can recharge a battery in 30 minutes and its NiCad battery has cooling rods positioned between the pack’s individual cells to help cool the battery and allow it to function at optimal levels. Users can expect up to 50 percent longer battery life over previous Bosch batteries.

Milwaukee offers their new V28 Lithium Ion power tools system. Its 28-volt battery delivers up to 40 to 50 percent more power, and they claim it has twice the run time of a traditional 18-volt model, yet the battery weighs slightly less.

Meet your needs

As you shop for a cordless drill, be realistic about your needs so you don’t buy one too small or too large. They range in price from $79 to $1,200 and are rated from consumer to professional, depending on the package the manufacturer offers, from a 2.4-volt cordless screwdriver to a 36-volt cordless rotary hammerdrill. Cordless drills can run up to two times the cost of an electric drill depending on the model and its features.

Be sure you check out placement of the reverse lever switch. Can you easily activate this switch with your index finger only or do you need to use your index finger and thumb, (a one-handed operation)? I have found in most cases it is easier to activate the lever if you support the front of the drill with your opposite hand.

Keyed or keyless drill chuck?

Another area of concern is whether you prefer a keyed or keyless drill chuck. The chuck is the part of the drill that holds the bit; it may or may not require a key to loosen and tighten it so you can change drill bits.

For everyday projects, a keyless chuck works great. I prefer a keyed chuck if I am working in metal because I can tighten the jaws around the bit so it won’t slip, provided I use all three holes in the chuck. However, for drilling into metal, I recommend that you use an electric drill. Finding a keyed chuck on the market may be a challenge.

If you are considering a drill with a keyless drill chuck, specifically consider the upper sleeve and the chuck ring, the areas that you grab with both hands to tighten or loosen the jaws around the bit. You don’t want to hold the chuck with one hand and start the drill with the other in order to tighten the chuck jaws. Keyless chucks come in different combinations of materials and textures, and the chuck ring comes in different sizes, depending on the make and model. Handle the tools and operate the chucks to find a combination that is comfortable.

I prefer a wide chuck ring because it offers more surface area to hold. Also check out the materials and textures. I like an outer sleeve and a chuck ring made from knurled metal. Another good feature is a chuck completely encased in rubber. Both styles of chucks deliver great gripping surfaces.

If you use your electric drill frequently, you may eventually have to remove the keyless chuck and replace it with a new one. Make sure you are using the right replacement part for your drill before attempting to install it. Forcing the incorrect type of chuck onto the spindle can hurt the threads and could make a perilous wobble when the drill starts to rotate at high speed. Take the ancient keyless chuck with you to the hardware store  when shopping for a replacement, or check the manufacturer’s website for the right part number.

Step 1

Disconnect the drill from its power supply. For a cordless drill, this will be a battery pack. For other types of drills, unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet.

Step 2

Press and hold the spindle lock button on the drill’s body to release the chuck. Continue to hold the button down while turning the chuck counter-clockwise to open the jaws as wide as possible.

Step 3

Look into the opening between the jaws. If there is a screw inside, loosen it with the appropriate type of screwdriver (flathead or Phillips).

Step 4

Place a large Allen wrench between the jaws of the chuck. Press and hold the spindle lock button while turning the chuck clockwise until it is tight around the Allen wrench. Make sure the spindle lock button is fully disengaged before proceeding to the next step.

Step 5

Lightly tap the end of the Allen wrench with a rubber mallet so that the chuck turns counter-clockwise. Continue to tap until the chuck is loose enough for you to twist it the rest of the way off the spindle with your hands.