Switching Your Milwaukee Fuel's Drill Bits: A Step-By-Step Guide

Changing a drill bit on a Milwaukee drill is a straightforward process. The first step is to identify the type of chuck on your drill, as this will determine the steps to follow. Modern Milwaukee drills typically feature a keyless chuck, which allows for tool-free bit changes. To install a bit, simply loosen the chuck by spinning it clockwise until it's wide enough to insert the bit, then tighten it counterclockwise. If your drill has a ratcheting mechanism, you'll hear a clicking sound as the jaws tighten around the bit. To remove a stuck bit, adjustable pliers can be used, but be cautious when applying force to avoid damaging the chuck or the drill's housing. For older Milwaukee drills with a keyed chuck, use the key to loosen or tighten the chuck by turning it in the appropriate direction.

Keyless chuck: spin the chuck's outer housing to tighten/loosen

Changing a drill bit on a Milwaukee Fuel drill is a straightforward process. The most common type of drill chuck today is a keyless chuck, which requires no extra tools.

To change the drill bit, simply spin the chuck's outer housing. If you are holding the drill with the chuck pointing away from you, spinning it counter-clockwise will tighten the jaws around the drill bit, and spinning it clockwise will loosen the jaws.

When installing a new bit, first loosen the chuck by turning it clockwise until you can slip the drill bit into the jaws. Then, tighten the chuck by turning it counter-clockwise. You will feel some resistance as you do this, and you should tighten it a little more once you feel this resistance. Some chucks have a ratcheting mechanism, which you will hear clicking as the jaws tighten.

If you need to remove a drill bit, simply turn the chuck clockwise until you feel it release the bit. If the bit wobbles when you pull the trigger, it might not be centred between the jaws. To fix this, loosen the chuck and make sure all the teeth are engaging the bit as you clamp them back down.

Keyed chuck: use the drill's key to loosen/tighten

To change the drill bit on a Milwaukee Fuel drill with a keyed chuck, you'll need to use the drill's key. The process is straightforward and similar to that of a keyless chuck.

First, locate the tip of the drill's key. It should fit into the matching hole on the chuck. You may need to turn it slightly so that the teeth of the key and the chuck slip together. Once the key is in place, turn it clockwise to loosen the chuck. This will enable you to either insert a new drill bit or remove the existing one.

If you're installing a new drill bit, make sure the chuck is loosened until it's just wide enough to accommodate the bit. Then, insert the drill bit into the chuck. To secure the drill bit in place, turn the key counterclockwise to tighten the chuck. You'll want to tighten it until you feel resistance, and then give it a little extra turn to ensure it's secure.

When removing a drill bit, simply turn the key clockwise until you feel the chuck release the bit. Be cautious, as the bit may still be hot if you've been using the drill recently.

It's important to ensure that the drill bit is centred correctly between the jaws of the chuck. If the bit wobbles when you use the drill, loosen the chuck and adjust the bit as needed before tightening it again.

Stuck bit: use adjustable pliers to remove

If your Milwaukee Fuel drill bit is stuck, you can use adjustable pliers to remove it. This method is best used when the drill chuck is stuck on a drill bit and is difficult to loosen.

Firstly, grab a pair of adjustable pliers (also known as Channellocks). Adjust the pliers to a width that will allow you to grab the outside of the chuck. Use the additional leverage from the handles to loosen the chuck. You can also lightly clamp the drill in a vice to give you an extra hand.

However, there are a few warnings to keep in mind. Firstly, while all-metal chucks are durable, you can damage plastic ones if you put too much force on the chuck with the pliers. Similarly, you can damage the housing of your drill if you put it in a vice and apply too much force. Finally, never try to loosen the chuck by clamping it in a vice and pulling the trigger. Modern drills are very powerful, and even the strongest person may not have the hand strength to keep the drill from whipping around and causing injury.

Impact driver: pull the collet's outer part to release/install bit

If you want to change the drill bit on your Milwaukee Fuel impact driver, the process is straightforward. Impact drivers have a collet at the front, rather than a chuck. To change the drill bit, you simply pull the outer part of the collet out to release the bit that's inserted. You can then pull the collet out again to install a new drill bit.

Some impact drivers have upgraded features that make changing the drill bit even easier. For example, some models have a one-hand bit insertion design, which lets you slide the bit in without pulling the collet out first. This can be a useful time-saving feature, especially if you need to change bits frequently during a job.

Another upgrade to look out for is a collet with active bit ejection. This type of collet has a spring mechanism that pushes the bit out when you pull the collet. This feature is not only convenient but also helps to keep you safe, as you don't need to touch a hot drill or driver bit.

It's worth noting that while some people refer to an impact driver as an impact drill, this wasn't always the case. In the past, impact drivers were designed for driving screws, and the term "impact drill" was used for a different type of tool. However, with the introduction of 1/4-inch hex shank drill bits designed specifically for impact drivers, the tool can now also be considered a type of drill.

Bit wobbles: loosen, centre, and re-clamp

If your drill bit wobbles, it might not be centred between the jaws. To fix this, first loosen the chuck. You can do this by spinning the chuck's outer housing clockwise. Next, centre the bit by ensuring all the teeth are engaging the bit. Finally, clamp the bit down again by spinning the chuck's outer housing counter-clockwise.

If your drill is wobbling, it could be due to several factors. First, ensure that the bit is correctly placed and centred in the chuck after tightening it. You can do this by following the method described in the previous paragraph. If this doesn't work, the wobbling could be due to a bent chuck, which may require replacement. Check if the chuck is bent by powering up the drill and putting your finger on the smooth part of the drill to see if it is vibrating. If the chuck is bent, you will need to replace it.

Another way to prevent misalignment is to close the chuck until the drill bit won't fit, and then slowly open it out until the bit slips in. Make sure the bit is pushed all the way into the hole.

If you have a Ryobi drill, the wobbling could be due to the gears not being tight. Check the Ryobi manual for instructions on how to fix this.

Frequently asked questions