Hacking drill - Problem with reverse thread

[Team Crusader]

Just got my drills from B&Q, got the drills out of the case, but the problem I have, is the reverse threads. I don't have any high tech tools, strength or advanced drills and I can't undo the screws inside the chuck.

My regular drill is no good, so I'll keep it as a spare part.

Given my circumstance dose anyone have an idea of how to get the chuck off? For a last resort I had considered to drill out the thread.

[adz600]

Hold in a vice and use an Allen key and hammer a short sharp hit will free it off remember clockwise to loosen

[Ellis]

If it's straight from the shop then it'll have a crosshead/phillips head. Some are already loose, some crazy tight. Before anything, I don't mean this in a funny way, you are trying to turn it the right way? By which I mean the wrong way! It's righty loosey lefty tighty for these...

[Team Crusader]

Well that's a point I've yet to get too. I can undo the thread inside the chuck, that's what is causing me the problem. Or will that also undo the thread?

[Team Crusader]

I am turning it left, but it seems to be crazy tight. If I try and turn it any harder I just my undo my wrist before the thread. As I last resort do you think drilling out the thread could work?

[Ellis]

I'm confused. Are you trying to get the screw out or the chuck off? If the former, it should involve a crosshead screwdriver and some heaving to the right to get it out. To the left is actually tightening with reverse threads.

If you've dealt with that and the screw is out, and it's the chuck you mean you can't get off, then an allen key in the chuck itself and a light tap on the end of the allen usually does it. The chuck is threaded normally, though, so to loosen you need to turn it/jolt it to the left, as normal.

[Team Crusader]

Oh I had it backwards being it was backwards. Still cant get it undone though. This screw is being a real pain.

[Max]

So you've opened up the chuck like you were putting in a very large drill bit, you've then got a cross head screw driver and put the end into the chuck (where the drill bit would go) then feeling the screw head and turning it as if you were doing up a normal screw? They can be stiff but you should be able to undo it.

[Team Crusader]

Well given I've been putting so much force into it and they have still been slipping, I'm either wearing my screw drivers or the cross-head down, so its proving very difficult at the moment.

[Liftoff]

If the screw head is worn out there's little chance you'll be able to unscrew it now...most probably thread locking compound is applied to that lock screw which will only make it worse.
If you got an other cordless drill with adjustable torque setting you could try with it... set it on low torque and clockwise rotation and press hard on the screw, the clutch should slip...increase torque setting gradually, it should work...
If that fails,I see no other way other than drilling the head off...and then you still got the problem of taking the remaining thread out!

[Team Crusader]

I think my best option right now it to find a tool with a bit more leverage, like a socket wrench. I have actually strained my arms trying to undo it with just a normal screw driver. But If I do eventually have to drill out the threads Then I'll just have to find a way to make a new one or some kind of cap for the wheels to sit tight.


Its a well know phrase I've stuck to for many years now. A&I Adapt and improvise.

[Max]

It might work if you open up the chuck then turn in the drill and make it run clockwise then after it reaches full speed suddenly stop, then keep on repeating this for 10 times or more. I've never tried it but it may just about undo the screw a tiny bit making it easier to undo. You could also try dripping some WD40 into the chuck and leave it upside down for a while- it could make it easier to undo.

[harry hills]

Isn't there a thing where you can put a length of elastic band between a stripped head screw and screwdriver and it makes it easier.. that might be complete bollocks though.

[Team Crusader]

I can see the logic in that, but I think it won't work on a screw head that size. I could try it, but I'll be looking for something like a socket wrench to give me more leverage.