How To Remove A Stuck Drill Bit?

Have you ever drilled a hole into wood or metal and then found out that the drill bit had become stuck in the material? If yes, you probably know how frustrating it is to get a drill bit stuck inside a piece of equipment.

Drilling holes in materials can be handy. For example, drilling a hole through concrete is a common practice to install pipes. Drilling holes also help us create space within our homes and offices. However, it is essential to note that drilling holes can damage the surrounding area.

Sometimes, drills can get stuck in the material they are drilling. This happens because the drill bit gets wedged between the material and the chuck (the part that holds the drill bit).

You should remove the drill bit from the chuck using pliers when this happens.

Before removing the drill bit from the drill chuck, make sure that the motor is off as well. You can do this by turning the drill down.

The trick here is to use your hand and gently push down on the drill head until you hear the motor start to turn off.

In most cases, you will have to press the trigger several times before the drill motor turns off completely. Once turned off, the engine can no longer spin the drill shaft, making it impossible to remove the drill bit.

Drill Bit and Drill

It may not even be possible to remove the drill bit from its place in some cases. This occurs when the drill bit becomes frozen to the material being drilled or if the shank (the section connecting the drill bit with the chuck) becomes damaged or rusted.

If this happens, you would have to replace the drill bit instead of trying to free it yourself.

The best way to fix these problems is to ensure you tighten the hex nut enough so that the screw doesn’t fall out while moving around.

Even though tightening up the hex nut tightens everything down more, you can still lose screws during your drilling. So, make sure that you keep these things under control while attempting. 

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Drill Bit Stuck In The Drill

If your drill bit is stuck in the drill itself, there are two ways that you can go about fixing the problem:

  • One is to take the drill apart and separate all the parts; the other is to try applying heat to the drill head by using an electric drill. If the first method does not work for you, then the second method might be the better solution.
  • However, heating the drill bits is not always feasible. Many people find that using a torch to melt away the ice covering the drill bit works better than applying heat directly to the drill bit.
  • You can purchase a torch for drilling, but you have to remember that you need to only apply heat to the tip of the bit where the ice has formed on the side.
  • It is good to understand that overheating the entire drill bit could cause the drill to fail.
  • You must ensure that you clean any debris and dirt from the drill bit after every attempt at drilling. The bit’s tip must be exposed to air for the melting process to occur correctly.
  • So, it would help if you stopped working as soon as the ice stopped forming on the drill bit.
  • Doing this will help you avoid damaging the surface of the drill bit and other parts.

Drill Bit Stuck In The Drill

A Drill Bit Stuck In A Wall

If your drill bit is stuck in a wall, there are various reasons this can happen. If it gets stuck, follow the below-mentioned steps:-

  • Use a hammer and tap the drill bit repeatedly on the floor till it comes out. Hold the drill in such a position that you don’t hit anything else while doing this exercise.
  • You should try your best to pull the end cap off the hole. Make sure that you don’t accidentally break the drill bit because it won’t remove the stuck drill bit if it violates the drill.
  • Using a flat blade screwdriver, pry the drill bit out of the wall slowly. However, please note that using too much force may damage the drill bit and the walls.
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Using a knife or sharp implement, cut into the wall carefully behind where the drill bit got stuck. Keep cutting until you reach the end of the drill bit. Then lift the piece of tool out of the hole with a pair of pliers, gripping the bottom of the drill bit.  

If it continues to get stuck again, consider changing the drill bit.

It is good to point out that the process of removing a drill bit from your wall is a cumbersome task. You need to carefully remove the drill bit without causing further damage to the wall.

This means that you should ensure that the drill bit is completely removed from the hole before removing the rest of the tool.

A Drill Bit Stuck In A Wall

The Drill Bit Stuck In The Wood

If your drill bit is stuck in wood, there are various methods that you can use to get rid of the problem. The following are some tips that you can use to remove your drill bit from the wood:

  • Try using a hammer and tapping the drill bit against the floor. Hold the drill in such a way that you don’t shit anything else. Try repeating this exercise until the drill bit gets detached.
  • Pry the drill bit out of place with a thin metal object like a knife or nail. Use care when holding the drill bit with this method to avoid losing it.
  • Using a screwdriver, grasp around the screw head of the drill and then use pliers to loosen the screw. Take caution regarding safety when pulling the screw out.
  • Push the handle of a spoon or something similar towards the drill and twist. This helps to push up the drill bit and thus makes it easier to remove. 
  • Use a flat blade screwdriver to slide the drill bit out of wood gently. Be careful with this method since you might accidentally damage the sides of the wood.
Read More:  What is An Auger Bit?

The Drill Bit Stuck In The Wood

Drill Bit Stuck In Concrete

Concrete is hard to drill. Therefore, it takes time to remove the drill bit. There are various ways by which you can draw a drill bit from concrete. Please read below to find out how to do it quickly and safely.

  • Hold the drill in one hand, take the other hand, and press firmly on the drill bit. Slowly start sliding it out of the hole. If you feel any resistance, stop. Do not continue pulling the drill as otherwise; it could break. 
  • Take two pieces of paper towel and wrap it around the drill bit like a bandage. Now, hold both ends of the paper together and gently pull them apart. This will help to free the drill bit.
  • Apply a small amount of mineral oil to the drilling area and leave for a few minutes. This would help lubricate the surface. After leaving the mineral oil on the hole, tap the metal part of the drill bit lightly.
  • If the drill bit is too stuck, turn off the power supply, switch on the drill motor reversely, and try twisting it. Make sure it doesn’t stop spinning. When the drill bit comes out, clean up the loose cement dust left behind.

Drill Bit Stuck In Concrete

Final Word:

You have tried all these methods but still cannot get the drill bit out of the hole. It’s better to call a professional who has experience in dealing with such situations. They will be able to guide you through the right steps to follow.

It is always recommended to take precautions while doing DIY projects so that you don’t end up hurting yourself or the drill.

Hence, make sure you know what tools and techniques you need to apply in order to complete the project correctly.

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