Why Is My Drill Overheating?

Why does my drill overheat?

The reason your drill is overheating is because it’s using too much pressure and the ventilation vents are blocked. Mechanical problems, the drill is being used for a long period of time, worn-out brushes, and electrical problems are other reasons for your drill to overheat.

 

 

Using too much pressure

Your drill is meant to do the work; all you need to provide is some guidance. You overcompensate when you have a blunt drill bit or use the wrong drill for the job. The extra pressure on the drill prevents the mechanisms from kicking in. Overriding the tool’s mechanism with pressure will cause your drill to overheat.

 

Blocked ventilation vents

Behind the electrical components of your drill is the electrical component. Your drill bit is rotating at a very high rate. This motion generates heat. The ventilation vents are present to lose this heat.

An improper technique could lead to you covering these vents with your hand while handling the drill. Dust and other specs of dirt could also block the vents. This prevents your tool from losing its excess heat and causes it to overheat.

 

Mechanical problems

The mechanical components of your drill consist of numerous gears, wheels, and bearings. These mechanical parts can suffer from wear and tear from repeated use. Also, not using lubricants can hasten this process.

The worn components then lead to excessive friction in the drill. This friction leads to overheating.

 

Working long hours

These tools are not designed to be used continuously for hours. So, the next time you discover that your drill is overheating, you need to take a break and allow it to cool down. Failure to do this might lead to permanent damage to your drill.

 

Worn-out brushes

Your drill generates its rotation due to the arrangements of the commutator, carbon brushes, and armature. The carbon brushes are the bridge that conveys electric current to the commutator.

After repeated use, these brushes get worn out, especially from the points where they make contact with the commutator. This leads to a shortening electrical current, which can cause your drill’s motor to heat up. This ultimately leads to overheating.

 

Other electrical problems

A dirty commutator or discontinuation in the winding of your drill motor is another cause of overheating. A commutator is a small drum with gaps. It is on one end of the axle of the rotor in your drill. Along with the carbon brush, they combine to transfer electric current to the rest of the motor.

After using your drill for a while, the commutator can accumulate dirt. These can shorten the electric current, which causes your drill to overheat.

 

How to fix a drill that overheats?

You can clean your ventilation vents, adjust your drilling technique and lubricate the mechanical parts to fix your drill that overheats. If that doesn’t work you clean out the commutator or replace worn-out carbon brushes to fix your drill that is overheating. Before you find a long-term solution, allow your drill to sit for about 5 minutes under shade to cool down the tool.

 

Clean your ventilation vents

A blocked vent can cause your drill to overheat. Follow these steps to find a lasting solution:

1. First, switch off your drill and remove it from the power source.
2. Next, use a can of compressed air to blow through the opening of the vents in the drill. This should remove most of the specks of dirt.
3. If you feel the tool is too clogged up, remove the back covering of the electrical component to get better access.
4. Do not cover the vents with your hand while using the drill. Let your drill breathe.

 

Adjust your drilling technique

Using the wrong technique can cause your drill to overheat. Follow these steps to improve your drilling experience without worrying about overheating.

1. Do not apply too much pressure while using the drill. Let it do its work.
2. Avoid covering the vents with your hand while using the drill.
3. Do not drill at awkward angles.
4. Avoid using the drill without taking breaks. Long-term use at a stretch can damage your drill.

 

Lubricate the mechanical parts

Excessive friction in the moving parts of your drill can cause it to overheat. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and lubricate your drill:

1. Switch off your drill and remove it from the power source.
2. Remove the four screws that connect the mechanical parts to the electrical component.
3. Rotate the gears with your hand to ensure they are not worn out.
4. Lubricate and grease the moving parts of the drills.
5. Replace the screws you removed earlier.

 

Clean out the commutator

A dirty commutator can cause your drill to overheat. Follow these steps to fix this:

1. Switch off your drill and remove it from the power source.
2. Remove the four screws that connect the mechanical parts to the electrical component. Set the mechanical component apart.
3. Remove the back covering of the electrical component.
4. Remove the motor unit. This will give you access to the carbon brush.
5. Use a Philip screwdriver to pop out the wires connected to the two carbon brushes.
6. Using those screwdrivers, push out the brushes from where they make contact with the commutator.
7. Use a can of compressed air to blow out dirt that may be hanging in this section. You can also use an electrical contact cleaner to achieve a better result.
8. Recouple the carbon brushes and connect the wire back into place.
9. Cover the back and secure the mechanical component with the screws you removed earlier.

 

Replace worn-out carbon brushes

Your drill may be overheating because of worn-out carbon brushes, especially if you have had them for a long time. Follow these guidelines to replace it:

1. Turn off your drill and remove it from the power source.
2. Remove the four screws that connect the mechanical parts to the electrical component. Set the mechanical component apart.
3. Remove the back covering of the electrical component.
4. Remove the motor unit. This will give you access to the carbon brush.
5. Use a Philip screwdriver to pop out the wires connected to the two carbon brushes.
6. Using those screwdrivers, push out the brushes from where they make contact with the commutator.
7. Buy a new set of carbon brushes compatible with your drill’s model. They cost around $5 on Amazon.
8. Couple the new carbon brushes into your rotor.
9. Reconnect the wires to the end.
10. Cover the back and secure the mechanical component with the screws you removed earlier.

 

Why is my drill bit overheating?

The reason your drill bit is overheating is a dull drill bit, choosing the wrong drill, and lack of lubrication.

 

Dull drill bit

A drill bit has sharp serrations, which are responsible for its cuts. However, after repeated use, it gets dull. Suppose you continue to use it without replacing this drill bit. The friction generated during the cuts increases significantly, causing it to overheat.

 

Choosing the wrong drill for the job

Overworking your drill can cause the drill bit to overheat. This is common when you use a wood drill on a concrete wall. This will lead to the generation of more friction and overheating. Always use the right tool for each job.

 

Lack of lubrication

The mechanical components of your drill consist of numerous gears, wheels, and bearings. These mechanical parts can suffer from wear and tear from repeated use. Also, not using lubricants can hasten this process.

The worn components then lead to excessive friction in the drill bits. This friction leads to overheating.

 

How To Cool Down A Drill Bit?

You can change your drill bit or lubricate the moving parts to cool down your drill bit. Before you find a long-term solution, allow your drill to sit for about 5 minutes under shade to cool down the tool.

 

Change your drill bit.

When your drill bit is full, it can overheat. Follow these steps to swap out the drill bit:

1. First, switch off your drill to avoid any accidental discharge.
2. Then, turn your drill to its side.
3. Then use a screwdriver to remove the chuck keys that keep the bit in place,
4. The drill bit should fall out. Replace with the new one.
5. Tighten the key to secure the bit in place.

 

Lubricate your drill

Excessive friction in the moving parts of your drill can cause the drill bit to overheat. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and lubricate your drill:

1. Turn off your drill and remove it from the power source.
2. Remove the four screws that connect the mechanical parts to the electrical component.
3. Rotate the gears with your hand to ensure they are not worn out.
4. Lubricate and grease the moving parts of the drills.
5. Replace the screws you removed earlier.

 

Why Is My Dewalt Drill Overheating?

Your Dewalt drill is overheating because of blocked ventilation vents and mechanical problems. Working long hours, worn-out brushes, and other electrical problems can cause your Dewalt drill to overheat. Follow the steps below to troubleshoot and fix it.

1. Ensure you turn off your Dewalt drill.
2. Start by allowing it to cool down for a few minutes.
3. Adjust your drilling technique using the guide above.
4. Take breaks in between the use of your drill.
5. Lubricate your drill often.
6. Clean your vents.
7. Clean the commutator of your drill.
8. Replace the carbon brushes if they are worn out.

 

Why Is My Bosch Drill Overheating?

Your Bosch drill is overheating because of the technique you drill with or blocked ventilation vents.  Mechanical problems and worn-out brushes can cause your Bosch drill to overheat. Follow the steps below to troubleshoot and fix it.

1. Turn off your Bosch drill.
2. Firstly, allow the drill to cool down for a few minutes.
3. Then, adjust your drilling technique using the guide above.
4. Take breaks in between the use of your drill.
5. Lubricate your drill often.
6. Clean your vents.
7. Clean the commutator of your drill.
8. Replace the carbon brushes if they are worn out.

 

Why Is My Makitia Drill Overheating?

Your Makitia drill is overheating because of the technique you drill with, blocked ventilation vents, mechanical problems, working long hours, worn-out brushes, and other electrical problems. Follow the steps below to troubleshoot and fix it.

1. Switch off your Makitia drill.
2. Start by allowing it to cool down for a few minutes.
3. Adjust your drilling technique using the guide above.
4. Take breaks in between the use of your drill.
5. Lubricate your drill often.
6. Clean your vents.
7. Clean the commutator of your drill.
8. Replace the carbon brushes if they are worn out.