Cımo cambiar un mandril (how to change a drill chuck)

Supongo que debe haber muchos de ustedes que tienen un taladro con el mandril averiado o poco útil, y les gustaría cambiarlo por uno mejor, pero no saben cómo hacerlo. A mí me sucedió eso hace unos años, y descubrí que no es nada difícil, solamente hay que conocer un pequeño secreto.

La semana pasada estaba yo trabajando con mi viejo taladro barato made in China, cuando súbitamente, sin haberlo esforzado más de lo normal, comenzó a fallar, a chisporrotear y a largar una humareda por los agujeros de ventilación. Obviamente, se quemó el motor. No me molestó demasiado porque al fin y al cabo duró casi 8 años, y por el precio que pagué por él, no se puede pedir milagros.

Hoy a la tarde me di una vueltita por Walmart y me compré otro taladro de esos baratos chinos, pero el mandril no es de los que a mí me gustan, de esos que se ajustan a mano sin necesidad de herramienta. No importa –me dije– en casa le pongo el mandril del que se quemó. Efectivamente, así ocurrió, y acá les cuento cómo se hace.


I guess there must be many of you who have a broken or unhelpful drill chuck, and would like to change for another better, but do not know how. That happened to me a few years ago, and found that it is not difficult, you just have to know a little secret.

Last week I was working with my old cheap Chinese drill, when suddenly, without having done more force than usual, it began to fail, to sizzle and emit smoke by ventilation holes. Obviously, the motor burned. Do not bother me too much because after all it lasted nearly 8 years, and for the price I paid for it, you can not ask for miracles.

This afternoon I took a little walk to Walmart and bought another of those cheap Chinese drills, but the chuck is not that I like, those that fit by hand without tools. No matter, I told myself; at home I put the chuck from the burned drill. Indeed, it happened, and here I'll tell you how.

Step 1 Quı se necesita (what you need)

En primer lugar, al menos un taladro cuyo mandril no funcione o no sea conveniente. Además, un mandríl que sí querramos usar en su reemplazo. Destornillador phillips y/o plano, una pinza bien chata para sujetar el eje (tiene que poder entrar en la ranura debajo del mandril), y eventualmente una morza de banco.

First, at least a drill chuck which does not work or is not appropriate. In addition, a chuck who do want to use in its place. Phillips and/or flat screwdriver, rather flat pliers to hold the shaft (must be able to enter in the slot below the chuck), and eventually a vise grip.

Comments

[cxavier]

Parece sencillo pero no lo es, a no ser que se sepa lo de la rosca izquierda!!
Ahora entiendo por que nunca le pudimos sacar el mandril al taladro del Ale.
Vi tus otros post y te felicito, cada vez queda menos gente que haga "cosas".
Gracias.

[rimar2000]

Yo me di cuenta de casualidad, porque el mandril de un taladro que estaba usando empezó a aflojarse solo. El método es inteligente, por lo sencillo y efectivo.

Gracias por el comentario.

[cxavier]

Parece sencillo pero no lo es, a no ser que se sepa lo de la rosca izquierda!!
Ahora entiendo por que nunca le pudimos sacar el mandril al taladro del Ale.
Vi tus otros post y te felicito, cada vez queda menos gente que haga "cosas".
Gracias.

[Quick-tune]

I find that an easy way of unscrewing the chuck is to clamp an Allen key into the chuck, and hit it with a hammer to loosen it.

[rimar2000]

It seems difficult to me, because the chuck is screwed clockwise, but fastened counter-clockwise with another little screw. That screw usually is very tight.

In fact, last time I could not loose it... Maybe I try to do that later using heat.

[Quick-tune]

If you have one, try an impact driver - it worked for me.

[rimar2000]

No, I have not it. Thanks for the advice.

[Phil B]

I had to do this once many years ago. Your Instructable should be very helpful to anyone who needs to do the same in the future. I smiled that you wrote about a cheap Chinese drill. The Chinese are known all over the world for cheap, low quality goods. One day there will be more Chinese on Instructables and we will not be allowed to write unflattering things about their products.

[rimar2000]

To buy Chinese products are like to buy a lottery bill. Almost always they are low quality, but sometimes they are very good . Even, sometimes you must throw them to the waste.

But warning, Japanese product was so at 1960's, they breaked the market in many categories, and today are respectable.

USA products are very good, but also expensive. Here in Argentina we have all the low quality products that the world manufacture. Example: the only screwdriver tip that I can use is one buyed in Italy, it is hard steel. Those buyed here lasts until the first obstinate screw.

[Mastros]

I think Chinese products are not of low quality, but of a lower quality, and also much cheaper that western brands.

What I mean is that with a Chinese tool you will be able to do many of the things the tool is supposed to do, but not all, or not for the same length of time. I will say that with a Chinese tool you may easily cover 85% or 90% of your needs.

So for most of the time, or for almost all the time, your needs are covered, because the times you will need a better tool are only a small part of the whole. For these things you will not be able to do, you are given the chance to pay much less.

One learns with trial and error. If you have a Chinese drill, dont push it too much, because it will burn. Letting it operate for many minutes and under stress is a way to push it. For your trouble to stop more often and let the tool cool down, you are given the chance to buy a cheap tool, and wait for better days.

But there is also the bad Chinese tool. A Chinese pocket knife I bought, lasted only for playing and cutting just one softdrink can. Then it fall apart.
-.

[rimar2000]

I agree, completely.

Often are confused Taiwanese (almost Chinese) with Chinese. I think Taiwanese products are a little better, I have a very good screwdrivers set since 1970 or so, they are good steel, good plastic, and well shaped. But some months ago I buyed a Chinese drill bits set for masonry, and I had to throw it away.

[Phil B]

We have the same problems finding quality in the USA. Fewer things are being made in the USA. Many products once made in the USA are now made in Mexico, China, or other parts of the Pacific Rim. The quality may be good, but more often it is not.

[sunshiine]

Instructables to the rescue! Thanks for sharing rimar2000! This Instructables will help a lot of people extend the life of a drill!
Sunshiine

[rimar2000]

Thanks, Sylvia! The chuck is sometimes the worst part of a cheap drill.

[karlpinturr]

Makes so much sense when someone explains it - Thanks, Rimar :-D

[rimar2000]

Thank you, Karl.