How to Replace a Chuck on a Drill Press

Collarless Chucks

• 1). Insert a chuck key into the large hole in the drill press chuck.
  
  
• 2). Turn the key counterclockwise to open the chuck jaws. Remove an existing drill bit from the chuck by pulling it straight down and out.
  
  
• 3). Turn the chuck key clockwise to tighten the jaws and remove the key.
  
  
• 4). Grasp the handle on the right and turn it forward to lower the quill. The quill is the drill press body that holds the chuck in place.
  
  
• 5). Spray lubricating spray on the top of the chuck. Wipe off any excess that drains onto the chuck with a dry shop towel.
  
  
• 6). Grasp the bottom of the chuck firmly with one hand.
  
  
• 7). Insert an open-end wrench just above the chuck with the other hand.
  
  
• 8). Press the end of the wrench up so the handle moves down and pries the chuck off the quill.
  
  
• 9). Grasp the handle on the right and raise the quill to its tallest height.
  
  
• 10
  
  Place a new chuck centered under the quill and tap it on with a wooden mallet.
  
  

Threaded Collar Chucks

• 1). Insert a chuck key into the large hole in the drill press chuck.
  
  
• 2). Turn the key counterclockwise to open the chuck jaws. Remove an existing drill bit from the chuck by pulling it straight down and out.
  
  
• 3). Turn the chuck key clockwise to tighten the jaws and leave the key in place.
  
  
• 4). Grasp the handle on the right and turn it forward to lower the quill. The quill is the drill press body that holds the chuck in place.
  
  
• 5). Spray lubricating spray on the top of the chuck. Wipe off any excess that drains onto the chuck with a dry shop towel.
  
  
• 6). Grasp the bottom of the chuck firmly between a thumb and forefinger of one hand and hold the chuck key with the remaining fingers on this hand.
  
  
• 7). Place an open-end wrench on the collar above the chuck and turn the wrench clockwise to release the chuck. Pull the old chuck straight off.
  
  
• 8). Place a new chuck directly under the collar.
  
  
• 9). Hand screw the chuck onto the collar in a counterclockwise direction until it is hand tight. This will take three to four revolutions.
  
  
• 10
  
  Place the chuck key in the chuck and grasp the chuck bottom and key as in the removal of the old chuck.
  
  
• 11
  
  Place an open-end wrench on the threaded collar and turn it counterclockwise to tighten the new chuck.