How To Remove A Stuck Drill Bit
How To Remove A Stuck Drill Bit
Having a stuck drill bit is a common and irritating problem that can easily happen when drilling into material (including wood, metal, and masonry). It can occur for multiple reasons, but common occurrences include using too much pressure, heat, or material gripping the bit too tightly. Knowing how to remove a stuck drill bit safely is important to prevent breaking the bit, damaging your drill, or spoiling the surface you’re drilling into.
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Reasons why drill bits could get stuck
Understanding how and why a drill bit is stuck is essential in helping to fix the issue and prevent this from happening again. There could be a number of reasons why your drill bit is stuck, but outlined below are some common examples.
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Dust - when drilling into brittle materials (like brick, concrete, stone), dust can build up if not adequately cleared. This is also common in softer materials (like plaster, drywall, mortar) as debris can clog the flutes.
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Overheating - drilling too fast or with too much pressure, can cause the drill bit to heat up due to the friction.
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Incorrect setting - if you use the wrong drill setting it can increase the risk of a drill bit getting stuck.
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Pressure - excessive pressure can prevent the debris from clearing, increase heat and cause the bit to wedge.
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Positioning - avoid drilling at an angle, as this could misalign the drill bit going into the material.
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Damaged drill bit - if you are using an old drill bit (or one that has previously been used), it is more likely to cause issues.
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Incorrect drill bit - it’s important that you use the correct drill bit that’s suited to the material - e.g. masonry drill bits aren’t suitable for wood, metal and plastic.
Methods for removing a stuck drill bit
In this guide we have outlined some common materials that a drill bit could get jammed in. When attempting any of the steps mentioned, it’s important to note that you must always turn the power off and disconnect your drill before trying to remove the bit.
Removing a stuck drill bit: wood
Getting a drill bit stuck in wood is often caused by using excessive pressure or drilling too fast into the material. This can easily be resolved by trying the below tips and tricks:
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Reverse drilling - change the setting on your drill to reverse, and slowly back the drill bit while keeping the drill straight.
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Locking pliers - turn the drill counterclockwise and gently try and pull the drill bit out. Make sure you use the right amount of pressure whilst trying this technique, as pulling it out too hard can cause the wood to splinter (or the drill bit to snap).
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Lubricant - if the wood is too tight around the drill bit, you can try using a small amount of lubricant or wax to ease it out.
It’s important to note that you should always ensure you are using the correct drill bit for the material you’re using it for. Check out our range of wood drill bits.
Removing a stuck drill bit: metal
A drill bit can often become stuck in metal due to friction, heat buildup or the metal tightening around the bit as it cools. You should always allow the drill bit to cool completely to prevent snapping it. See below for some tips for removal.
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Reverse drilling - switch the drill to reverse and slowly attempt to back the bit out while keeping the drill straight.
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Heating - you could try gently heating the metal around the drill bit, (not the bit itself), to help the metal expand and release.
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Penetrating oil (such as WD-40) - apply around the drill bit and let it soak for approx. 3 minutes to help reduce friction. Once loosened, try gently pulling the bit out of the wood. Repeat if needed.
It’s important to note that you should always ensure you are using the correct drill bit for metal.
Removing a stuck drill bit: concrete
Having a drill bit stuck in concrete is usually due to compacted dust or the bit binding inside the hole. For best results, you can use both techniques together.
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Light tapping - using a small hammer or rubber mallet, try gently tapping around the side of the hole to help loosen it. The vibrations can help shift the compressed dust making it easier to pull.
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Blowing compressed air - using an air compressor, direct into the hole to remove the dust and any debris from the concrete. Make sure you’re suited up with appropriate PPE before you start this (including eye protection and a dust mask).
Removing a stuck drill bit: masonry
A masonry drill bit can become stuck for numerous reasons. Common issues include; dust build up, overheating and hitting rebar.
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Reverse drilling - try this action in the first instance, by slowly trying to back the bit out while keeping the drill straight. Ensure you use a slow speed and apply gentle backward pressure.
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Clear dust - dust could be tightly packed around the flutes causing your drill bit to become lodged. You could try blowing compressed air into the hole, or lightly tapping around the bit to loosen the debris.
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Locking pliers - start by gripping the base of the exposed shaft and twist gently while pulling straight. Ensure you do this with caution, as you don’t want to wedge it tighter or snap the drill bit.
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Chipping - as a last resort, you can carefully chip away a small amount of surrounding material, or create another hole. You then should be able to extract the bit and patch the hole (if needed).
Removing a stuck drill bit: tile & glass
When removing a stuck drill bit from tile or glass, it’s important that you take extra care as both materials are brittle and can crack easily. The key to removal is patience and gentle pressure to avoid damage to the surface.
As always, ensure you always use the correct drill bit for the material you’re using it on - in this case, a tile & glass drill bit is best.
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Switch off - before doing anything, ensure the drill is turned off and unplugged (or remove the battery), and allow the bit to cool off if it has overheated.
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Reduce friction - if the drill bit won’t move then you may need to spray a very small amount of water onto the area to help lubricate it. Please always ensure the necessary safety precautions are taken in the first instance before applying.
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Reverse drilling - using a very low speed, apply light backward pressure whilst keeping the drill aligned. You need to be careful when doing so as tilting can crack the surface and cause damage.
If these techniques don’t fix the issue, you can also try using locking pliers or chipping - however, these methods should be actioned with caution as you could damage the surface you’re working on.
How to prevent a drill bit getting stuck
To prevent a drill bit from getting stuck, you must first ensure that the correct bit is being used for the material. Using the wrong drill bit can cause binding, overheating and damage to the bit and work surface. You can read our drill bits buying guide for further information on choosing the correct bit.
You also need to make sure that the bit is sharp (and replace if needed) before drilling. Make sure you also check your drill settings are appropriate (such as hammer mode for masonry) to prevent latter issues.
When drilling, ensure a steady speed with consistent (but not excessive) pressure. Keep the drill straight and aligned to avoid friction. Take regular breaks to clear the hole, and clean out any dust or debris build up as this can jam your drill bit. Lastly, if drilling for extended periods, you should intermittently pause to prevent overheating and thermal expansion.
Key considerations and safety tips
When attempting any of the steps mentioned in our guide, it’s important to note that you must always turn the power off and disconnect your drill before trying to remove the bit.
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Always use reverse motion in the first instance.
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Try lubrication (or penetrating oil) to loosen the drill bit from the material.
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Tapping and compressed air are often enough to free a stuck drill bit. Use both techniques together for optimal results.
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Try and avoid forcing, twisting, or hammering to prevent the drill bit from breaking.
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Different techniques are used on different materials and have their own method of drill bit removal.