Drills are one of the most useful power tools that every person should own. These can come in handy on numerous occasions ranging from putting up pictures on your wall to working on DIY projects.
The power tool helps in drilling small holes within seconds, whereas these would take several minutes when done by hand. Additionally, when making holes manually, people will notice that there is a high chance of cracking the materials that they are working with.
Having the option to eliminate all these problems as well as save time by simply purchasing a cheap tool like this can be amazing.
Talking about this, Porter-Cable offers some of the most popular drills that you can keep in your home. Although, some problems have been reported regarding this device.
A common query that people ask is, “How to change the drill bit on the Porter-Cable drill?”. If you are also wondering the same thing, then going through this article should help you out.
How To Change Bit In Porter-Cable Drill?
The drill bits are the heads installed on the drills that are swapped out to provide a wide range of functionality. While these can be changed easily, the process required for them varies from model to model.
This is why one option that people have is to consult the manual provided along with their power tool. This should contain step-by-step instructions on how the drill bits can be changed as well as how to unlock the chuck system.
People can also find a copy of the manual online in case they have lost it. The next thing that you should note is that there are two types of chuck systems. One of these includes the standard key system, while the newer one is a keyless chuck.
The only difference between them is that standard chucks have to be unlocked using the key provided along the drill. With that being said, here is a small guide that can be followed to change the drill bit on your Porter-Cable drill.
- Start by removing the power tool from its main power. If you are using a cordless drill, then take out its battery.
- Now, wait for a few minutes so that the current inside your power tool can be released.
- If you have a standard chuck system, then use the key to unlock it. On the other hand, if you have a keyless chuck, then this can be released by simply holding it with both of your hands and then twisting them in opposite directions.
- Once the chuck has unlocked, people can remove the older drill bit and replace it with the newer one.
Now lock the chuck system by turning it in the opposite direction, and you can then start using your new drill bit.
Keep in mind that the process of swapping out your drill bits is quite easy. However, the main issue that people can run into is trying to install bits that are not supported by the drill. Hence, make sure that you only purchase bits that can be installed on your Porter-Cable drill.
You will not have to deal with any errors as long as the drill itself is in good shape. If you’re completely new to DIY projects, then we suggest that you also look up some video guides. Similarly, you also have the option of reaching out to local experts.
Having an expert guide you on the different tricks and tips to adjust the system will make your life much easier. So, when you’re stuck in any errors, getting help from a local is not a bad idea. It all comes down to how you’re planning on addressing the situation.
The steps listed above will suit you perfectly only when the chuck is in good shape. If you didn’t keep track of the system’s maintenance and it seems to be damaged, then the better idea is to reach out to the official support team.
This is especially true for owners struggling with the chuck not holding the bit. So, if you’re in the same boat, the situation can be a bit annoying, and you have to check out the locking mechanism to sort out the situation. Hopefully, your situation will be addressed right here.
Here are more details on how you can sort out the situation when the chuck won’t hold the new drill bit in the Porter-Cable drill.
Chuck Not Holding The New Bit In Porter-Cable Drill?
It is one of the most common situations that you will deal with while trying to install a new bit. Most of the time, it can be a bit hard to manage, and you will not be able to get the system working perfectly until you replace the chuck.
However, before it comes to that, there are still a few fixes that you can rely on, including:
- Clean The Chuck
Before you move towards changing the chuck, you should first put some focus on cleaning the chuck, and that will help you avoid a ton of errors down the road. You should focus on making sure that there is nothing lodged inside the chuck.
Having dust or grime inside the chuck, along with some foreign particles, is not that rare. So, if you do get stuck in those situations.
The only thing that you can do is blast the chuck with compressed air. The pressure will help you get rid of the dry dust particles.
However, if you’re in a situation where the system is clogged with debris and gunk, then you need to go about cleaning that out with a fresh cloth or a brush. Either way, you need to make sure that the system is clean and that there are no issues on that end.
Hopefully, you will not have to bother with more complications when the chuck is clean, and you can follow the steps listed above to place the new bit in the chuck.
- Try A New Bit
Sometimes, even the best brands can send out faulty systems. If you’re not that sure about the situation with the bit and the bit seems to be out of shape, then you need to discard it immediately.
You can also try to claim the warranty status on this site and have the experts help you with a new one.
However, there are no quick methods that can help you here when the bit is crooked. You can’t just hammer the bit into place, and the issue will persist as long as the bit is damaged. So, just try out a new one, and you will be sorted out.
Hopefully, you will not feel the need to switch to any other options, and the chuck replacement will not be necessary.
- Try Increasing The Pressure
Sometimes, the fix is as simple as putting more pressure on the bit from the chuck. While it is not recommended by professionals, you will have to use a bit of force when working with smaller bits. You have to ensure that the chuck firmly holds the bit.
If you’re lucky, the situation will be fixed by putting a bit of extra torque on the system, and you will not have to bother with more errors down the road. Hopefully, all errors will be addressed right here, and the chuck will start gripping the bit.
However, if that is not the case, and you can see that the chuck is worn out, then you’re out of luck. There are no quick fixes or easy workarounds for the worn chuck in the Porter-Cable drill. So, you will have to reach out to the experts to help you with a fresh piece.
Hopefully, the claim will cover these issues, and you will not have to spend any extra cash to get help from the dealer.
Wrapping Up
Can’t seem to figure out how to change the bit in the Porter Cable Drill? We’ve listed the most efficient method on how you can get through the replacement without having to deal with any extensive errors.
Similarly, we’ve also underscored some of the common issues that you might face. Most of the time, owners complain about the chuck not holding down the bit. This is a clear sign of hardware issues and ignored maintenance of the drill.
So, when you do get stuck in these issues, the only reasonable thing that you can do is follow through with the troubleshooting guide here.
Hopefully, you will not have to bother with a chuck replacement, and fixing the unit will come easily to you. It all comes down to how you’re planning on addressing the situation.
You will not have to deal with any extensive issues after you’re through with these errors.
Lastly, you just have to reach out to the experts. If you can’t seem to manage the replacement on your one, don’t hesitate to involve the local expert or the customer support professionals.
They will guide you on how you can go about the situation without having to struggle with more complications.