7 Methods To Solve DeWalt Drill Chuck Won’t Tighten

dewalt drill chuck won't tighten
dewalt drill chuck won’t tighten

DeWalt drills are certainly the best and most durable out there since they are not only affordable but can last you quite some time, and you get to enjoy a perfectly stable experience with these at the same time.

So, if you’re new to the market, it is a good idea to start out with the DeWalt system.

You will thank yourself for this purchase in a few months and won’t feel the need to upgrade to a better system even after you develop your skill as a workman.

Moreover, the robust system offered by DeWalt will surely carry you through demanding projects.

The only two things that you should keep in mind when using this system is how you’ll go about cleaning and storage cycles.

Fixing DeWalt Drill Chuck Won’t Tighten

Managing the cleanliness and storage of the system will be more than enough to help you get the desired performance over decades. 

Similarly, the drill chuck might cause you some problems at times, and that is certainly not something that you would want to have on your drill.

The drill chuck might not be tightening up at times, and if you are facing the same problem on your DeWalt Drill, here are a few things that you will need to try out.

  1. Change the Bit

dewalt extension bit

If the chuck is not tightening around the drill bit that you are using, most of the time, the problem is with the bit and not the drill since the drill bit might have been shrunk, or it can sometimes wear off as well.

You will need to make sure that you are changing the bit and trying a new bit on the same drill.

That is going to help you get the problem fixed most of the time, and you are not likely to be facing the problem again on your drill bit.

That is certainly something you will need to keep in mind since it can get you out of the tight corners when you need to use the drill.

  1. Rotate it Right

rotate

You need to put pressure on some drill chucks while tightening or loosening them, and that is added as a preventive measure, so the drill bits don’t get off while you are using them.

You will need to be careful about that, and try pressing the chuck of your drill inwards while you are trying to tighten it up.

That would help you to get rid of any problems that might have been causing you to face this problem on the drill that you are using.

That is certainly something useful that will come in handy, and you are not likely to face any problems afterward once you are doing it the right way.

  1. Clean the Chuck

cleaning

Another thing that you can try out is to clean the chuck if it is not rotating at all.

Dust particles or particles from concrete or metals that you have been drilling in can get stuck inside the chuck, and they might be causing you to face this problem.

That is certainly not something you would want to have on your drill. So, cleaning it up properly should get you out of the tight corners, and you can tighten it up the right way.

Here, you can rely on compressed air to blast the unit, and that will get rid of the clogged particles. From there, you can also rely on a small brush or a screwdriver to check obstruction.

hardware check

This will give you a thorough perspective on the situation. If there are no hardware issues with the unit, it will be pretty easy to get a consistent response from the unit.

So, be sure to clean up the system properly, and you will not have to deal with more complications down the road.

  1. Change the Chuck

The chuck can go bad as well after some usage, and that is not something that you should ignore.

The possibility is always there, and if you are unable to get the chuck to tighten up on your drill, it would be better to change the chuck that will solve all such problems for you that you have been facing.

  1. Tighten Up Planet Gear

The next thing that you need to do here is to tighten up the planet gear inside the chuck. You will find a screw inside the chuck that will engage the unit when you turn it around.

This gear is responsible for tightening up and loosening up the bit when you’re trying to get through a project.

planet gear

However, the gear itself can come loose over time if you’ve been using the drill for years. 

That might be the case for you as well, and you need to get yourself a screwdriver and then tighten up the chuck properly.

A bit of adjustment here will do wonders for the drill, and you will be able to tighten up the chuck.

All it takes is a bit of effort to find the screwdriver that can help you tighten up the planet gear.

From there, you can go about making the adjustment, and you will not have to deal with any complications down the road.

  1. Use Lubricant

lubricating

Sometimes, the cuck itself is seized, and you will have to rely on the lubricant to free up the chuck before you tighten it up around the bit.

This is especially true if your unit has been sitting in storage for a while. So, get yourself some WD 40 and spray it around the chuck.

From there, you need to wait for about 20 minutes and then test out the chuck one more time.

Nine times out of ten, you will be able to engage the chuck and will not have to deal with more complications down the road.

It all comes down to how you’re planning on addressing the situation, and using lubricant is always a good idea when you’re talking about keeping your tools in good shape. 

remove

Similarly, you need to also remove the grease from around the unit if you’ve been using that to lubricate the system.

All experts advise against the use of grease as it can mix up with debris to clog up the drill while also limiting the movement of the chuck.

So, be sure to follow through with these pointers and try turning the chuck accordingly.

It will not take you a long time to manage the situation with the chuck not tightening, and you will be able to access the bit properly.

  1. Ask DeWalt For A Replacement

replace

Lastly, you need to reach out to the DeWalt official support team and have them help you with the system not engaging properly.

This brand stands fully behind all of its products, and it won’t be that hard to grab a replacement if your claim is valid.

This is especially true if you believe that the unit was damaged out of the box. So, be sure to avoid messing with the unit yourself and ask the dealer for pointers.

There is a chance that you will end up voiding the warranty while trying to get through a replacement. 

warranty

All you have to do is to reach out to the dealer and explain the situation. It can also help if you can avoid a receipt to help these owners verify your purchase.

From there, you can expect to get the new unit within the same week once the claim has been verified. Just make sure to take good care of your system this time around and keep it properly stored.

Otherwise, you will run into a ton of issues in the long run and won’t be able to get any response from the chuck. Hopefully, you will not have to deal with more complications in the long run.

Wrapping Up

final thought

These are some pointers that you need to consider when you can’t seem to tighten up the chuck on the DeWalt drill.

Managing the drill can be pretty challenging at times, and you will have to check the adjustment of the bit in the chuck. 

From there, you can blast the unit with compressed air to remove debris and clogged particles.

There are no quick methods around these fixes, and you will have to put in the time to adjust the unit.

Ideally, a simple cleaning and maintenance cycle will have you sorted.

On the other hand, if you are still stuck in the issue, and the chuck itself seems to be damaged, then now might be a good time to get a new one.

This replacement shouldn’t be that heavy on your budget, and you can install the new chuck yourself. 

So, be sure to reach out to the dealer and make the purchase of a new chuck. Similarly, you can also check on the warranty on your current system to figure out if you can demand a fresh piece for free.

The dealer will provide you with more details on the matter, and you will not have to go to the fix alone.

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