This is not an original idea, but with the almost universal modification of hand held electric drills so that the chuck is tightened by hand rather than with a key, invariably the drill bit quickly comes loose with a short period of usage. This can be remedied by using a hex base on the bit much as is common on various sized screwdriver bits. I have seen these around but they are unusual. The average drill bit comes with a cylindrical base which is prone to slippage. If drill sets with hex bases are not available perhaps a hex base could be bought separately into which the standard bit could be inserted and permanantly fastened by solder or some sort of epoxy glue. Another possibility is that if a standard sized hex socket is used instead of a chuck, all the drills could have the same sized hex base magnetized for easy insertion and removal with no gripping mechanism on the drill necessary.
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I have this countersink bit device, which has a more or less regular bit that is set into the countersink with a setscrew.The bit has a notch machined into it where the setscrew is tightened into. Perhaps that could be incorporated into your idea.
Another concept would be to thread the bit into the bit holder.
A simple cross-sectional shape of the drill bit shank that prevents revolution such as square or hexagonal is sufficient without the fussiness of a set screw. And magnetization of the socket in the drill will keep the bit in place and make it easy to insert and remove. A threaded shank would make the drill so firmly held after the rigor of drilling that a wrench or pliers would be required to remove it, an additional complication that is unnecessary and clumsy.
I like this idea, but I suspect that one of the reasons they make round drill bits is because of the safely factor. This way the drill bit is prone to slip when it gets stuck instead of breaking. If the bit would get stuck and break at high speed, it could result in flying shrapnel which could do some serious damage.
I have had drill bits snap many times and the resulting failure has never resulted in shrapnel - merely a broken drill end which had to be removed with a pair of pliers.
Drill bits with hex bases are commonly available as are the quick change type chucks to which the author refers.
Hex based drill bits are available but not in compination with magnetic hex drill chuck sockets in the manner of many screwdrivers. The quick change chucks are friction grasp based on round drills although conceivably they could be used with the hex based bits. It is the hex mating combination which makes the idea interesting to me.
I just discovered today that the system I proposed is available, at least in Helsinki, but with a rather limited set of drill sizes.
Actually, a magnetic hex chuck and hex based bits are available today, in the U.S., in my toolbox. It does, as you state, have a limited number of drill bit sizes.
The magnetic chuck has a hex shaft which chucks up in a standard Jacobs style chuck. It came in a very inexpensive set of hex shank sockets (nut drivers), screwdriver bits and hex shank drill bits. Sorry, it's so inexpensive that it's one of those no-brand products and I don't remember where I got it so I can't tell you how you can get one. I'd be surprised if Sears doesn't have something like it.
Readily available at Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware, and online at McFeely's. The hex shank with the ball detent groove that is. Drill bits with three flats milled on the chucked end have been around much longer than I have (35 years), though tends to be limited to the larger sizes 1/4"+, probably due to the difficulty of machining tiny flats on smaller bits that only cost 89 cents anyway.
Thats not to say it isn't a good idea... the sucessful marketing of the quick change stuff over the last decade or so is ample evidence of that.
All very interesting and exactly the reason I signed onto this.I am 1/3 owner of a company that has a product in which all of the above are solved.www.twist-lok.comMy Inventor partner solved all of the issues related to drilling and driving and I am proud to say we have it available.Check out the site , there are demo videos there.Look for us in some Ace hardware stores and hopefully all of them in thee near future.Soon to be on QVC also,Yes this is a bit spammish but It is true and genuine so what does it hurt to help.
Hand drills use inadaquate chucks as a saftey measure. The drill will spin in the chuck before the drill stalls and burns the motor up/starts and electrical fire. If you are drilling, and you find the drill spinning, you are using the wrong tool. Move up to a drill that uses a key chuck. Beyond that, you'll have to use a core drill. Beyond that, you're going to need a radial drilling machine or a very large drill press with a MT-series taper sans drill chuck to run MT shanked drills. You can buy drill chucks with an MT shank on the back to mount when you want to run straight-shanked drills.
The drill chuck is held on to the drill by means of a jacobs tapered spindle and a holding screw. Larger drills don't fool around with such nonsense. The MT-series tapers have a lot of holding force. MT3 through MT7 (not 1 or 2) have a flat at the end of the shank to mechanically prevent any and all slipping or drill-saving measures. It's all up to you to maintain proper drilling feeds and speeds.
To restate: If you are experiencing slip, you are using the wrong tool for the job or are using the right tool inappropriately. A good key chuck drill will last you a very long time, offer more power, and more places to hold the drill. I understand that sometimes, you have to work with what you've got.
Slow down, and work within the constraints of the tool you're using. Sometimes, the tool just can't do what you want it to do.