How to Remove Drill Chucks From Arbors

Threaded Arbor

• 1

  Unplug the drill or drill press from the wall outlet. Remove a cordless drill’s battery pack.

• 2

  Open the chuck to the full open position by rotating the chuck’s body in a counterclockwise direction.

• 3

  Remove the screw in the chuck interior’s center with a hex key. The screw has a reverse thread; turn the hex key clockwise to remove the screw. Set the screw aside.

• 4

  Insert the short end of a 3/8-inch hex key into the chuck. Tighten the chuck onto the hex key by turning the chuck key in a clockwise direction.

• 5

  Strike the long end of the hex key with a mallet in a counterclockwise direction.

• 6

  Remove the chuck from the arbor by spinning the chuck in a counterclockwise direction once you have broken the chuck free with the mallet.

Tapered Arbor

• 7

  Unplug the drill or drill press from the wall outlet. Remove a cordless drill’s battery pack.

• 8

  Place a chuck removal wedge between the chuck’s body and the spindle housing. Place another chuck removal wedge directly opposite the first wedge. The removal wedge is a “U”-shaped metal wedge thinner at the opening than at the “U’s” bottom.

• 9

  Strike both removal wedge bases with a mallet. Drive the wedges between the chuck and the spindle housing. Continue striking the bases until the chuck comes off the arbor. Catch the chuck before it falls onto the floor.