Broken hex shank inside Collet - Milwaukee drill

[Today's Tom Sawyer]

Any tips for getting a hex shank out after it snapped inside the 1/4 collet on my Milwaukee M18 impact drill? I was using a 3/8 socket adapter that apparently was not impact rated, so that's my fault.

It is way down there. I can use a magnet to pull it up a little bit, but the detent is holding it in. Any ideas?

 

[MoonRise]

Instant glue (CA glue) used VERY carefully. I would say use the gel version, as it's less runny. If you use too much, it will still squish out or ooze out and glue thing into the collet itself.

One SMALL dot of CA glue on the broken shank that is outside of the drill. If you want to try and add a little extra insurance that the CA glue doesn't grab to the inside of the collet, add a little bit of light oil or thin grease inside the collet. Then using appropriate cleaning solvent(s) and tools (q-tips?), clean the broken steel (or steel-looking substance if it is made of chinesium ) of any grease/oil.

Carefully insert into the collet and let it cure/set onto the broken piece that is stuck in the collet. Wait a few minutes. Than slowly and carefully pull the hopefully-now-glued-together-temporarily hex shank straight out of the collet.

Breath a sigh of relief, and then throw the broken adapter away.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I drilled mine out when I had one snap below the detent, good cobalt bit chewed right through it with no damage whatsoever. I removed the detent first to avoid damaging that.

 

[assassin10000]

Depending on the design, maybe pop the c-clip and disassemble the collet so the detent won't hold it in, remove and then reassemble.

 

[RTM]

Just remember that the bit is probably jammed in there rotationally, so it may not just pull or drop out. That part held while the rest twisted, so reverse the direction a bit (RH drill will work if you were loosening something), or tiny cold chisel or?

 

[Today's Tom Sawyer]

I tried the super glue idea before posting, but it was (a) the liquid, and (b) quite a few years old. Not sure if CA glue loses some effectiveness over the years, but it didn't work. I'll go buy a fresh tube of CA gel today and try that again.

If that fails, I may see if I can figure out how the collet is put together. Without the detent, I think a strong magnet may pull it out.

 

[engineer2]

Certainly try with fresh glue.
I had a cheap hex drill bit snap off that way. I held the collar back and tapped it on the anvil part of my vise, Breathed a sigh of relief when it loosened up enough to fall out. If it's rotationally jammed, partially insert another hex bit with the other end clamped in a vise. Work it forward and reverse a bit and the impact vibration may free it up. A shot of WD-40 might help too.

 

[Butterman2473]

I'm sure you've solved your problem but I'd remove the collet entirely by first removing the retaining ring.

Broken part will fall right out.

 

[tarbellb]

I tried all these, my M12 had torqued the hex before breaking making it very hard to remove....

Sent mine back to Milwaukee under warranty

Got a repaired (new collet) gun back in 8 days, all through the shipping program. Impressive

 

[M635_Guy]

I used a long needle-nosed plier and magnet and got it out of mine. (I used a hex bit that wasn't meant for a collet and was also too short)

It took a bit. I found a couple YouTube videos that were helpful (search "Milwaukee remove bit collet" I think). A quick search yielded this:

That wasn't the one I saw, but might have a non-disassembly solution. I wouldn't take the thing apart. Patience is the way.

 

[Pistolero]

depend on how it was shattered inside, if its shattered into really tiny small pieces i would not use ca glue inside, it would just glue the small pieces to the hole inside and will cause more issue, try a strong magnet first its gonna attract the shattered piece out, then go from there

 

[Firebrick43]

Do you have an air scribe? (not an electric on) It will break free the rotational jamb before trying to extract it. Works great for broken bolts to

 

[no704]

I tried the super glue idea before posting, but it was (a) the liquid, and (b) quite a few years old. Not sure if CA glue loses some effectiveness over the years, but it didn't work. I'll go buy a fresh tube of CA gel today and try that again.

If that fails, I may see if I can figure out how the collet is put together. Without the detent, I think a strong magnet may pull it out.

Put a pinch of baking soda on the glue, it will dry instantly.

 

[dnschmidt]

If it's under five years old call up Milwaukee 1-800-sawdust and have them issue you a label and send it back. Why **** with it and in the process compromise you're warrantee? Let Milwaukee handle it.

 

[tarbellb]

Do you have an air scribe? (not an electric on) It will break free the rotational jamb before trying to extract it. Works great for broken bolts to

Thats a good tip, thx

 

[wtn1271]

Had a hex shank drill bit break off in my Makita 12v impact driver, (12 year old son was "building something"). Tried to grab the protruding piece with needle nose pliers, vise grips, and vampliers with no success. Resorted to carefully drilling a pilot hole in the center of the remaining shank. Lightly installed a small threading tap and was able to remove the offending broken piece. I also put some tape on the face of the collet, while drilling, to prevent metal fragments from falling into the inner workings of the collet.