"jj3000" wrote in message
om...
You know I wasn't even thinking when I bought the drill, just a
craftsman one about $50, I beleive the term is keyless chuck so you
use your hand to tighten, instead of a key.

I usually drill plastic or aluminum so it didn't show the weakness

Well after one weekend of steel work fabrication. The chuck doesn't
seem to grip the drill bit very well anymore. i.e. the bit stuck in
the metal and the chuck just spins/

I was wondering if I can convert the chunk to use a key, or replace
the fingers in the key. What is the problem? Sure the drill bits are
a bit more dull causing more fiction. But this is to a point where it
is not usable anymore.

Jeremy: I had the same problem with my Dewalt. It uses a standard 3/8 inch
thread so I replaced it with a conventional chuck. It was a disaster. I now
firmly believe that the cordless drills went with a keyless chuck because
there is no place to tie down the key. I couldn't keep up with the little
******* even for a few minutes. I've changed mine back and now pull out my
old Milwaukee corded drill whenever there is even a hint of real work to be
done.

John