Table of Contents
Introduction
Drills are one of the most essential tools to own if you are into DIY projects or are a professional contractor. If you won a Dewalt drill, learning how to change the drill bit is the first thing to do. A drill bit is the cutting tool attached to the front of a drill; it is powered by the drill to bore holes into different materials. Drill bits come in different shapes and sizes, and it is the main accessory used with the power drill. The Dewalt power drill has a chuck at the front of the tool, the upper part of the drill bit, shank, is fixed into the chuck and. The chuck is like a clamp located at the front of the power drill; it holds down the upper end of the drill bit, the shank. There are two kinds of drill chucks; keyed and keyless chuck. Keyed chucks require a T-shaped key, chuck key, to tighten or loosen the chuck jaws while keyless chucks are adjusted by turning the chuck collar, it doesn’t require a key. Learning to change your Dewalt drill bit is a simple task; in this article, we have provided you with easy steps to follow when changing drill bit with and without a key.
See,
How To Sharpen Drill Bits By Hand?
How to Use a Chuck Key
If your drill came with a chuck key, you’d need that key to change your drill bit. Some models have their chuck key attached to the body of the drill, if it’s not, search the package for the key. Follow these simple steps
Fit the key into the chuck
After finding the key, the next thing to do is insert the tip key into the chuck. The end of the key looks like a clog with teeth, align the teeth of the key with that of the chuck making sure they match. You may have noticed holes on the side of the chuck, insert the tip of the key into one of them.
Turn the key
After inserting the key, turn it counterclockwise until you notice the jaws on the chuck open. Continue turning the key in that direction until the chuck is wide enough to remove the bit.
Take out the bit
Once the chuck is loose enough, use your thumb and index finger to pull out the bit. Make sure you’re careful when pulling out the bit, so you don’t damage the bit. If the chuck is very wide, the bit may fall out of it. When the bit is removed, inspect the bit for damages or worn out areas. If the bit is dull or bent, throw it out, so you don’t accidentally re-use it. If it’s still in good shape, keep it in your tool kit for maximum productivity.
Insert a new bit
To insert a new bit, hold the shank (the smooth side of the bit) with your thumb and index finger. Carefully fit this part of the bit into the jaws of the shank and hold it firmly. Keep a firm grip on the bit and the chuck to prevent the bit from falling out.
Tighten the chuck
To tighten the chuck, take the chuck key, align the teeth of the key with the teeth of the chuck and insert it into a hole. Hold the bit to keep it steady and turn the chuck key clockwise (to the right) to tighten the chuck jaw, keep turning until the bit is secured in the chuck. Make sure to hold the bit while tightening the chuck so it won’t fall out. Remove the check key, remove your hands from the drill bit and turn the drill on to test if it’s working.
How to Change Bit on a Keyless Drill
Many people prefer changing their bit without a key; this is because it is easier and more convenient. Cordless drills always come with a chuck key, but if you have a cordless drill, there’s a high chance that you don’t need a chuck key. Follow the steps below
Loosen the chuck
Hold the chuck in one hand and the drill with the other hand. Turn the chuck counterclockwise or to the left to loosen the jaws. Turn the chuck until the jaws are loose enough to let out the bit. Another way to loosen the chuck is by pulling the trigger while holding the chuck.
Remove the bit
When the chuck is loose, you’ll notice that the bit isn’t stable. Pull the bit out of the drill with your thumb and index finger. Check the body of the bit for cracks or dullness, of it looks good, put it in your tool kit so you can use it again.
Replace the bit
Get the right size of bit and hold it with your thumb and index finger. Make sure the shank, which is the smooth part of the bit, is facing the chuck. When the bit is properly aligned with the chuck, carefully put it into the chuck jaws and pull it 0ne centimetre backwards, towards yourself. When that is done, keep your firm grip on the bit, so it doesn’t fall out of the chuck.
Tighten the bit
To tighten the bit, squeeze the trigger a few times with one hand and use the other hand to hold the bit into place. Gently squeeze the trigger so the bit doesn’t turn too fast and hold the bit lightly so it can stay in place.
Use the ratcheting mechanism
If your drill has a ratcheting mechanism, use it to apply pressure on the shank to ensure it is securely set into place. The ratcheting mechanism is usually beside the chuck, twist it in a clockwise motion to engage it. Remove your hand from the bit and squeeze the trigger at full speed to ensure it is working correctly.
Keyless drills are more popular than keyed drills because you don’t have to worry about losing your keys. Some models have eliminated this disadvantage by attaching the key to the drill. If you have a corded drill, you will most likely need a key to change the bit. Cordless drills are usually keyless.
How to Safely Use a Power Drill
Avoid baggy clothes
When using a power drill, do not wear baggy clothes or dangling jewellery. These things may get cut up with the drill if you lean over leading to accidents. Ensure that your clothes are not loose and your hair is securely tied before using the drill. It is advisable to wear short sleeves while using the tool.
Wear the appropriate protective gear
When using a power drill, it is best to wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from dust or splinters. You should also wear a breathing mask if the material you are drilling has a lot of dust. You can use a respirator if the material is known to be hazardous. Protect your hands with loose gloves and also cover your ears with ear protection. If you drill regularly, protecting your ears is very necessary. Electric drills are known to produce 90 decibels which is enough to damage one’s hearing. You don’t have to cover your ears if your drill operates quietly.
Use the appropriate drill bit
You have to use the appropriate drill bit for every material. Using the wrong type of size of drill bit may break the bit or damage the material. You can use a multi-purpose bit for wood and a high-speed steel (HSS) bit for metals. Check the drill’s instruction manual if you are not sure of the type of bit to use.
Make sure your workpiece is secure
Before you start drilling, ensure that the material you are working with is clamped down and secure. You don’t want your material moving around when drilling.
Use a drill stand
A drill stand is a guide or frame that supports the drill when in use. If you are drilling hard materials, you can use a drill stand to make straight holes. Drill stands also prevent the drill from falling and damaging your workpiece.
Set the drill bit properly
Make sure the bit is properly fixed into the chuck before drilling. If you have a chuck key, use it to tighten the jaws of the chuck to securely hold the bit. If you are using a keyless model, squeeze the trigger a few times to ensure it is tight before drilling.
Drill pilot holes
To get5 better results, you can pre-drill shallow holes into the material. Use a smaller bit to drill these holes and use the bigger-sized drill to continue the project. The holes will look straighter if they are pre-drilled, and this makes your work neater. Also, pilot holes reduce the risk of damaging the material and also prevents the bit from slipping.
Apply enough pressure when drilling
Steadily hold the drill and push it into the material when drilling. Apply the right amount of pressure, so you don’t damage the material. Don’t apply too much force if you are drilling into delicate materials.
Conclusion
The power drill is one of the most used power tools. It is used to bore holes into walls and different types of materials. Changing the drill bit is the first thing to learn when you purchase a Dewalt drill. In this article, steps have been provided to help you through the process. Follow the safety precautions when using the tool and carry out regular maintenance checks on your drill.