I have a press and lock Bosch PSB 16 Res 600w power drill. Someone tried to insert a masonry drill bit without using the press and lock function - using the drilling mechanism instead - and now the drill 'chug' (the bit that holds the drill bit in place) has jammed in the outright position. How can I fix it? Are there drill fixing shops?

Katie Matheson, April 2007

Mine did this (when on loan to a friend, typically) and I just managed to fix it. I used a 6 inch G-Clamp to hold the lock button down tight, and mole grips to turn the chuck. I'd given it a spray with WD40 too, so that might have helped.

It seems to be OK now.

Mike H, February 2008

mine jammed shut, used a vice to open it but its made a right mess of the outside of the chuck, 44 quid to replace it, the drills are only 60 quid!

Just out of guarantee?
Buy a new one - take the old one back a couple of months later and insist on a refund.
Flog the new one on Ebay and use the refund and ebay money to buy a better drill.

If anyone asks
You aint seen me, right!

Chappy, December 2007

I have the same problem with a one year old Bosch PSB 650 RES. I've looked inside the chuck but there is nothing visible that is jamming it. It seems that it is just jammed competely open. A replacement chuck is £44 - a ridiculous amount. For me, the answer is to go back to "Black & Decker" - my previous drill had lasted 20 years!

John Veasey, June 2007

i had the same problem with mine to correct it i had a look inside the chuck 'chug' as you say.. between the 'jaws ' of this i seen a screw which is part of the drill it became loose an had worked its way between the jaws try tightening it back down release the jaws first

steven g, May 2007