Jamming SRT drill bit · AditNow Community

Mine exploration, photographs and mining history for mine explorers, industrial archaeologists, researchers and historians

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

gNick
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

8 years ago

On my recent bit of underground drilling, I had the unfortunate experience of the bit jamming in the chuck. I finally managed to get the bit out by resorting to some minor violence but was more than a bit concerned by this.

I tried every other SDS bit I have last night and all released fine so I am assuming that the drill in question was slightly oversized somewhere.
FWIW all was clean when I put the drill in and it went in without any bother.

Has anyone else had this issue?

Don't look so embarrassed, it's a family trait...

Wanna join the discussion?! Login to your AditNow Community forum account or Register a new forum account

ttxela
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

It's not an SDS Max is it?

As far as I am aware SDS and SDS plus are interchangeable but SDS Max is slightly larger - I'm not sure if you'd actually get it in an SDS or SDS plus chuck :confused:

gNick
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

8 years ago

Nope. It's an SDS Plus bit that looks exactly like the other SDS Plus bits.

Don't look so embarrassed, it's a family trait...

ttxela
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

I'd just guess then as you say a slight manufacturing fault on the bit?

Willy Eckerslyke
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

I know hardly anyone bothers, but you are supposed to grease them.

"The true crimefighter always carries everything he needs in his utility belt, Robin"

nickwilliams
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

This used to be a regular problem with SDS drills. SDS do not have the square key way whch provides the rotation drive on an SDS+ drill bit. Instead they drive on the edges of the ball lock slot and this burrs the edges with time.

Check to see if the keyway slots on the drill bit are over size or worn since this could cause burring on the ball lock slots.

gNick
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

8 years ago

There wasn't anything obvious, may just be the slots out of tolerance. Certainly not grit in the chuck as it was the only affected bit of the 20 odd I tried.

I do grease the chuck, sad and lonely person that I am.

I think I will check the drill bits before I go underground in future

Don't look so embarrassed, it's a family trait...

pwhole
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

I grease the chuck too, but I'm not sad and lonely yet. I just can't afford a new drill, and it's the easiest way to keep that end of the unit working properly. Rust will build up quite quickly inside the chuck if it's left damp for too long.

ttxela
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

I've never greased my chuck and am now feeling quite ashamed 😞

sinker
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

#10

"ttxela" wrote:
I've never greased my chuck and am now feeling quite ashamed :-[

Go grease it now while the mood is right 😉 :wub:

@ Nick: What make of bit was it? I'm being snobbish here but I only ever use Hilti, Bosch or Makita bits (and in that order of preference). The cheaper ones are ok for drilling bricks to put up a curtain pole but the heat and stress generated by drilling a dozen holes in rock soon distorts them.

Yma O Hyd....

John Lawson
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

#11

Nick in the 'early days' of buying SDS drills, I bought, a Makita, 12 Volt drill! On one occasion I used it down in East Greenlaws, and the bit jammed!
I rang the Company, spoke to someone in Technical services who told me to clamp the chuck up and hit the drill with an attached wrench.
It freed it up, and I re-greased it very, zealously and had no further bother with it.
However, I moved from this Makita, to a 24Volt Bosch, then a 24Volt Dewalt, which I converted to run on sealed Lead acid batteries. Since then have used petrol powered SDS drills, and currently am still using these but also a new 36Volt Bosch, which i have commented on. The 36 V Hilti is just a little to heavy for me!
Needless to say none of these have ever jammed!

RAMPAGE
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

#12

Yes, you need to lube your chuck.

Else it'll get stuck inside :angel:

Beneath my steely exterior beats the heart of a dashing hero

gNick
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

8 years ago

#13

Drill is a Hilti courtesy of a PIP enforced saving plan and the bit was not.
Looking at the bit again tonight, the full slots have sides angled over a lot more than the other bits.
Need to get round to the Hilti shop 🙂

Don't look so embarrassed, it's a family trait...

sinker
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

#14

"gNick" wrote:

Looking at the bit again tonight, the full slots have sides angled over a lot more than the other bits.

Bingo 😉

Yma O Hyd....