What are the different types of drill chucks? Gear drill chucks, keyless drill chucks, and unique variants such as SDS chucks
Drilling machines need different drill chucks or clamping chucks to accommodate various bits, such as twist drills, countersinks, deburring tools, and reamers.
Click here to Learn the type of drill bit.
Do you want to know which drill chuck is suitable for your project? Here, I will give you different types of drill chucks and illustrate how the mechanisms behind them work.
Discover the differences and determine which functions and properties characterize each type of drill chuck you want for your project.
If you have a stuck drill chuck, click here to read how to free a stuck drill chuck.[Link]
Keyed Chuck
The keyed chuck [aff pro] is a drill chuck, also called gear rims chuck or manual drill chuck; you can replace the drill bit manually.
The Key-clamp chuck consists of 5 parts, plus the key for the slots, which are:
- Main body
- Gear rims
- shirt (ribbed part)
- Three jaws
- springs
The keyed chuck uses a unique “T”-shaped key [aff pro] to tighten and lose the drill jaw safely.
We Use the key to reduce or increase the insertion space for the drill bit.
Do not use an extension wrench [key] to increase the clamping force of the chuck.
If, despite regular tightening, the drill bit rotates in its seat, it is because the chuck is worn or the drill bits are not sharp enough.
Click here to learn how to sharpen a drill bit.
The structure and function of a gear rims or keyed drill chuck are relatively simple: clamping a gear rims drill chuck is done with a key.
The jaws of a Key-clamp chuck or gear rims drill chuck are always three pieces holding the drill bits.
The Keyless Chuck
The keyless chuck is the most common type found in cordless drills, allowing you to quickly and easily change drill bits. [aff pro]
In almost all cases, a cordless screwdriver has a keyless chuck with a single-sleeve design.
The chuck is opened and closed by turning the clamping ring.
No key is needed to tighten and uncock. Just the tension of your hand is sufficient.
The jaws are usually a little slimmer than with the keyed drill chuck.
The significant advantage of a keyless chuck is that it is speedy and flexible to handle
There Are Two Different Types Of Keyless Chucks:
Single-Sleeve Version Keyless Chuck
This type, also called the automatic quick-lock chuck, is considered very easy to use. Cordless drills usually have this drill chuck built in.
Since the operator can hold the tool with one hand and change the drill bit with his free hand.
To remove it, you have to push the chuck tip inward. It could be a practical chuck for a professional operator.
Two-Sleeve Version Keyless Chuck
This model closes with two hands and does not require a unique key for the Two-sleeve version keyless chuck.
One hand holds the lower part of the drill chuck, and the other turns the sleeve open and closed.
If you only turned with one hand, the clamping jaws would not move either.
By the way, I explained here what you can do if the drill chuck is stuck. Click here to learn how to fix your stuck drill chuck [Link].
SDS (Plus) Drill Chuck For Hammer Drills
This chuck system is only offered on hammers and is only compatible with special SDS bits. These bits are straightforward to place.
The second large group of drill chuck types is the SDS drill chuck. It is only suitable for drills or mortising tools with a suitable SDS shaft.
But most of you know this one anyway. It has three notches at the bottom. If you want to drill wood and metal with regular drill bits, you will need a special SDS+ adapter.
SDS stands for ” Slotted Drive Shaft or Slotted Drive System.” The SDS drill chuck is generally used on rotary impact drills, such as the hammer drill.
During impact movements, drill chucks must “hold” the drill in a vertical direction in addition to the rotational movements.
That’s why there are so-called SDS chucks adapted to the function of a hammer drill or large-impact drilling machines. Spline shafts block the clamping jaws in a horizontal direction.
The advantage of the SDS or SDS-Plus drill chuck is that the drill does not fly out of the chuck during the impact movement because the clamping jaws are blocked in the clamped position.
What Advantages And Disadvantages Do SDS Drill Chucks Have?
As we have explained, this system was to facilitate work on hard materials in construction.
Both SDS and the more modern SDS Plus prevent the drill bit from slipping on the material or “slipping” into the tool.
Advantages of SDS Drill Chucks
- Improves drill performance compared to smooth cylindrical shank drill bits
- It is compatible with chipping with chisels and pointers with percussion hammers.
- Bit change using one hand.
- High torque transmission
- The unique grooves on the drills and chisels ensure better power transmission.
- Quickly changing drill bits (plug-in system) makes work processes much more effortless.
Disadvantages of SDS Drill Chucks
- The main problem with SDS drill chucks is their loss of precision
- They tend to become uncentered when introducing an extra element into the transmission chain.
- Low-quality chucks are loose and lose precision.
You must know that you cannot use drills with SDS shanks in jaw drill chucks, and “normal” drills with a smooth shank or hexagonal shank cannot be used in the SDS drill chuck.
The devices with SDS drill chucks can, therefore, deliver or withstand high-impact energy, which is required when breaking off or drilling in solid elements.
If you want to drill into wood or metal with a drill chuck like this, you need an adapter that you can put on and into which you can clamp a standard drill.
For example, look at this one: S&R keyless chuck 2mm -13mm*.
The hexagonal magnetic connection is the one used by battery-powered drills. You have to pull the chuck forward to attach the accessory. Then you have to let it go.
Cordless screwdrivers, which are primarily manufactured for screwing in screws, are usually equipped with a hexagonal magnetic connection that is compatible with bits and bit holders usually, Changing the bits works without any problems.
The hexagonal holder also works differently with impact drills: we pull the drill chuck forward and insert its accessory. After the chuck has sprung back, you can use the impact drill function.
Don’t mind the language
Which Is Better? A Keyed Or Keyless Chuck?
The answer depends on various factors. When choosing the chuck for an electric drill, you should consider your machine’s technical capabilities.
In addition to the task for which the tool is designed. Your decision will depend on the user, the level of productivity you hope to attain at work, and—most importantly- the kind of drill you currently own.
But some notes can help you find the best option:
· The key chuck provides more security in closing and opening the bit. Still, you may be losing the key or not holding the bit correctly.
· The key chuck requires more effort to open or close the bit, but you can manipulate it with one hand. Additionally, the quality of a manual chuck is usually metal and is much stronger than automatic ones.
· The keyless chuck provides more convenience and speed during work and saves time. So you can change one drill bit with the other more comfortably and without requiring accessories. We usually use this model in projects where the operator does not have as much time to change the drill bit.
Keys To Choose An Ideal Drill Chuck
The crucial question is: What is the ideal chuck for my job? Automatic or manual? Below, we offer you some keys so that you know which is the ideal drill chuck for your purpose.
- First, you should know that the type of drill chuck you choose directly relates to the tool’s model. For example, when you use a hammer drill, you cannot purchase an SDS Plus apron.
- You should consider that the manual drill chuck offers more security regarding closing and opening. Still, the user needs two hands to operate it and always knows where to locate the key.
- The manual or key chuck requires more force from the operator. Still, you can manipulate it with one hand very easily and quickly.
- Another essential element when choosing an ideal drill chuck is its diameter. The diameter of the chuck depends on the diameter of its shaft. Therefore, the correlation is the following: the larger the diameter of the shaft, the more power the drill requires.
You now know all the necessary aspects to choose an ideal drill chuck. If you want more information about drill, we recommend this article on our website: How To Choose A Drill Complete Buying Guide.
Conclusion
Now that you know the different types of drill chunks, it is essential to know that they come with different drilling machines because of their work capacity.
Corded drills always come with a keyed drill chuck, and rechargeable drilling machines come with an automatic drill chuck.
I invite you to read the other articles concerning types of drilling machines and buying guides 👉click here now.
A good drill chuck prevents the bit from breaking, but if your bit breaks inside a workpiece 👉click here to learn how to remove a broken drill bit from any material. [Link]
