Replies

1. 
   dgreen | Jun 06, 2006 05:03am | #1

   You should be able to get a quality chuck for about 30 bucks,  the stock Default is'nt worth fixing. Inside the chuck at the very bottom is a screw you must remove to take the chuck off, it is Left Hand thread. Once you have that out the chuck will unscrew the regular way. Take your old chuck off before you buy the new one, regardless of the capacity of the chuck there are two possible threaded hole sizes at the back of the chuck.

   Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
2. 
   mudman | Jun 06, 2006 07:01am | #2

   I agree with Degreen, the chuck should be replaced, and it is probably the way he described. But I know that there are other styles of chucks as well. A quick phone call to Dewalt or a search for the instruction manual on their web site will tell you for certain how to pull the chuck.

   Pardon my spelling,

   Mike

   Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.

1. 
   dgreen | Jun 06, 2006 07:05am | #3

   It is the way to pull that chuck. I have replaced MANY Default chucks for customers.
   Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb

1. 
   philip | Jun 06, 2006 08:41am | #4

   Yeah Dave-an example of a maufacturer doing himself a disfavour-DeWalt makes a good machine then fits it with the worst Jacobs chuck possible-but they call the yellow one is an industrial quality drill....The drill itself merits a decent keyless chuck .Philip Marcou

2. 
   mudman | Jun 06, 2006 04:49pm | #5

   I was suprised that you would have a 12 volt drill! You said "I have replaced MANY Default chucks for customers. " do you have a tool shop?

   MikePardon my spelling,

   Mike

   Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.

1. 
   dgreen | Jun 06, 2006 05:50pm | #6

   I'll shock you even further! I have a 7.2v, several 9.6v some 12v and a couple 14.4's and a couple 15.6! Not a single DeWalt in the bunch although the first 12v drills DeWalt came out with were good tools. I managed a tool store and we did some repairs as a customer service. I have an aversion to tools with short battery life, charger problems, chuck problems etc.
   Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb

1. 
   cudavid | Jun 07, 2006 05:05am | #7

   Hi, I ordered a new chuck, and see the Torx screw inside the chuck. I am assuming the screw is Right hand thread, and the actual chuck is left han thread to remove? Can anyone confirm this so i do not breal anything? thanks, Dave

2. 
   storme | Jun 07, 2006 05:10am | #8

   I stripped the torx screw in mine - be careful! On that note, any suggestions for undoing my mistake - the chuck holds well enough that I continue to use it.

3. 
   dgreen | Jun 07, 2006 05:11am | #9

   The torx screw is left hand thread, turn it to the right to loosen. The chuck itself is standard thread. The reason for the left hand screw inside the chuck is to keep the chuck from loosening when the drill is used in reverse.
   Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb

4. 
   JohnWW | Jun 07, 2006 05:14pm | #10

   Dave,

   The retaining screw is left handed it turns the opposite direction from normal to loosen. 

   The screw is probably Loc Tited in place and can be very difficult to loosen.  Make sure the bit is fully seated, dust in the Torx socket can cause problems, so make sure it is cleaned out.  Giving the Torx bit a couple of sharp raps with a hammer before you try to turn it can help seat the bit and break the locking compounds hold.  Use a good Torx bit not one that is chewed up, if you strip the screw head things are going to go down hill.

   Once you have the screw out, grip a large hex key in the chuck and give it a shot with a soft hammer to break the chuck free.

   John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine

5. 
   cudavid | Jun 07, 2006 06:19pm | #11

   thanks I will try tonight, dave

6. 
   mudman | Jun 07, 2006 06:52pm | #12

   I wasn't shocked, just curious. There used to be a guy on this forum who had a contractors tool supply shop. He carried Festool and other specialty lines. He was a great source of info, but he seems to have dissapeared around the time the re-regestration. I haven't thought about him till now. I was wondering if you are him. If Forrest Girl is following this she would remember him.

   MikePardon my spelling,

   Mike

   Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.