Keyless Chuck
Affiliate link — we may earn a commissionA keyless chuck tightens and loosens by hand. You grip the outer sleeve, hold the tool body, and twist. Three jaws inside close around the bit shank. Every modern cordless drill uses a keyless chuck. They're fast to operate (bit changes take 3 to 5 seconds) and grip well enough for general drilling and driving. Some keyless chucks have a ratcheting lock sleeve that clicks when tight, preventing the chuck from loosening under load. Single-sleeve keyless chucks tighten with one hand. Double-sleeve chucks need two hands (one holds the front ring, one turns the back ring).
Why It Matters
A keyless chuck that slips under load is the most common drill complaint. If the bit spins in the chuck while you're drilling, tighten the sleeve further or check if the jaws are worn. Metal-sleeved keyless chucks grip better than plastic-sleeved ones. On better drills, the chuck alone costs $20 to $40 as a replacement part.