Drill Chuck Specifications

Capacity

• The capacity of a drill chuck measures the size of the drill bit that can be placed within it. It is usually given as a range of numbers that indicate the sizes that will be usable with a specific chuck. Measurement ranges are given in inches and millimeters.

Size

• The size dimensions of a drill chuck measure the width, the length from the end of the chuck to the base of the jaws (the three prongs on the shuck that hold the drill bit in place), and from the end of the chuck to the end of the jaws.

Power

• The power measurements of a drill chuck are measured in revolutions per minute and typically range from between a few thousand for the heaviest chucks to 50,000 rpm for the lightest drill chucks. Remember: There is a negative correlation between drill chuck rpm and the weight of the chuck. Also included in drill chucks intended for corded power drills is information on the maximum voltage in the drill that the drill chuck can support. This is given as the number of volts of power in the drill.

Keys

• A specification sheet indicates what kind of key (a piece of metal that attaches to the drill and provides the necessary tension to tighten or loosen the drill chuck) should be used for a specific chuck or that the drill and chuck have been specifically designed to be combined without a key. Keys come in several varieties and can be fixed (stationary at all times), self-ejecting (the key removes itself when the chuck is removed from the drill), or extra long (double the length of normal keys that provide for additional torque and leverage).

Other Information Provided

• Though not included on all specification sheets, some specification sheets will include the model number, category number, chuck mount type, and other special information about the kind of chuck. Further, it may indicate what type of work the drill chuck is meant for (for example, shop projects or lumber), the kind of wear-and-tear that should be expected from typical use, and the type of material used in the production of the drill chuck.

Acquiring a Specification Sheet

• If you don't know what drill chuck you need for a certain drill or project, contact a manufacturer of drill chucks about obtaining specification sheets for their specific products. This can usually be done online by contacting the company directly. Do not attempt to use a drill chuck in a machine that is not built to hold that tool as it could damage the drill or cause injury to the operator.