Electric drill chuck stuck, how can I loosen it?

[Sanny81]

It wasn't like this when I last used this drill but now the chuck is stuck TIGHT in the widest open position. Tried channellocks and couldn't get it to budge. Even the screw holding the chuck is stuck real bad. What are my next options here??

 

[Bondo]

It wasn't like this when I last used this drill but now the chuck is stuck TIGHT in the widest open position. Tried channellocks and couldn't get it to budge. Even the screw holding the chuck is stuck real bad. What are my next options here??

Ayuh,.... Put it in a vise, 'n hit the trigger,...

 

[Kracin]

turning it the right way?? maybe you channellocked it even tighter open?

 

[Sanny81]

Stupid question incoming...if I put it in a vice and hit the trigger should I set it to forward or reverse if it's stuck in the open position?

 

[Sanny81]

turning it the right way?? maybe you channellocked it even tighter open?

I think that is adding to my problem. At first I wasn't sure which way to turn it. It should be turning clockwise correct?

 

[neophyte]

Ayuh,.... Put it in a vise, 'n hit the trigger,...

I hope the vise is properly bolted to a workbench, and the workbench is heavy duty.

Also be careful, its possible to tear your arm out of the socket if the chuck doesn't budge.

 

[lilredex]

If you have a woodworker's vise set up with wooden jaws, put your drill in there. Put a strap wrench snuggly on the chuck to turn it CW (facing the drill). Give the strap wrench a whack with a wooden mallet.

I use this method for other things too, like removing freewheels that haven't been off in a hundred years, and threaten to break all your spokes by just pulling on a wrench.

 

[Milton Shaw]

The chuck unscrews one direction and the screw inside unscrews the other direction to keep the chuck from unscrewing when in reverse. Soak them down and then use something like an impact manual screwdriver to remove the screw by turning it the direction that you would have the drill running to drill a hole. Then the chuck itself unscrews the other way.

 

[xxaler]

What style/brand chuck? We use our handheld 9amp drills hard at work, so I made a bunch of custom chuck keys for when they start to get harder to use. Just an old screwdriver welded to the original chuck key gives you way more leverage, and will usually unstick any chuck.

 

[dnschmidt]

The way it's done is as follows: You chuck a large, and hopefully long, allen wrench into the chuck. You then take a soft faced hammer and wack the allen wrench making it go counterclockwise and the chuck will come off. But first the screw has got to be removed. Typically these are allen socket as well and the same technique will work.

 

[6MocoA]

I had this happen to an old Black & Decker. I used a pair of Knipex's - one to hold the base of the chuck and the other to turn the rotating part. Worked perfectly. You can probably use Channellocks but my go-to in situations like that is Knipex.

 

[Ramper]

The way it's done is as follows: You chuck a large, and hopefully long, allen wrench into the chuck. You then take a soft faced hammer and wack the allen wrench making it go counterclockwise and the chuck will come off. But first the screw has got to be removed. Typically these are allen socket as well and the same technique will work.

That is to get the entire chuck off the drill. I think the OP is just trying to get the chuck to close. He will not be able to use an allen wrench as he is unable to close the chuck.

My suggestion is to soak the chuck in penetrating oil. be sure you are turning it in the correct direction.

 

[bonneyman]

That is to get the entire chuck off the drill. I think the OP is just trying to get the chuck to close. He will not be able to use an allen wrench as he is unable to close the chuck.

My suggestion is to soak the chuck in penetrating oil. be sure you are turning it in the correct direction.

That's my take, too.
Since it is locked open, remove the chuck from the drill (since you have access to the holding screw) and just replace it. You can then mess with the stuck chuck in the vise or just toss it. Get the drill back in operation with a new chuck.

 

[Sanny81]

Yeah I'm just trying to close the chuck. I can't even get the screw holding the chuck loose now. The chuck worked fine last time I used it about a month ago and I threw it my work van and today I can't get it closed.

 

[Bondo]

Stupid question incoming...if I put it in a vice and hit the trigger should I set it to forward or reverse if it's stuck in the open position?

Ayuh,... Forward closes the chuck,...

Reverse opens the chuck,....

 

[Kracin]

Yeah I'm just trying to close the chuck. I can't even get the screw holding the chuck loose now. The chuck worked fine last time I used it about a month ago and I threw it my work van and today I can't get it closed.

hold the chuck in your hand. if you spin the drill forward that is closing the chuck. so if you are looking down the drill from back to front. the chuck spins counter-clockwise to close (the outter ring spins that is). if you are looking at the front of the drill with the chuck facing you, the outer chuck ring spins clockwise to close.

ive met some stubborn chuck screws also, you may need a long bit and a manual impact to loosen it without buggering the screw up.

 

[Sanny81]

Well got the screw holding the chuck loose but since I can't close the chuck to put an Allen wrench in I cant get the chuck off.

 

[n8n]

Pipe wrench or vise?

Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk

 

[Sanny81]

Success! I guess all the Zep 45 I sprayed this morning finally got through enough and I was able to close the chuck and it's back to working again. Thanks all for the suggestions and ideas.