Clam plate slipping

[Sam Gee]

Recently myself and a buddy had our clam plates suddenly start slipping on both of us. We use different drill bits so we were confused how this could be happening to us both. Has anyone had this problem and know what the issue is? When I switched to my lazer bit I had no problem.

[arrowheadangler]

I would check to see if the hex shaft rounded off.
Same thing happened to me, the drill chuck loosened and spun, rounding of the flats of the spindle.
Had to order a replacement part from Clam.
https://shop.clamoutdoors.com/drill-plate-hex-bit-shaft.html

[Sam Gee]

It is a little  rounded. Thanks for the input and the link.

[Dschofield91]

I saw someone on Facebook earlier this week with the same issue, chuck opened up

[DR.SPECKLER]

There was a problem with some of the older gen clam plates that has soft metal.if its the gold colored shaft it should be good.

[Sam Gee]

There was a problem with some of the older gen clam plates that has soft metal.if its the gold colored shaft it should be good.

It is gold.

[mrip]

Are you drilling in low gear with the clutch tight

[ICEHOLE]

The good news, clam plates are 100% unnecessary- IMO. I've used my ridgid drills on 6" mora, 8" mora and my 8" kdrill.  Probably 1000 holes and I've never wished i had the plate. More weight, more room in the sled,  and one less thing to fail while I'm out on the ice...

[Ryan51993]

Agreed they're totally unnecessary and kind of a scam. A few times every winter I see people post about getting a new drill combo and they always assume they need the clam plate. Like the drill would be some wild untameable beast without one. I told myself I'd try going without it first, and I'm glad I did. My drill is so lightweight and easy to use and I've never felt like it needed anything extra. The clam plate is like training wheels on a bicycle, might seem important when you don't know what your doing but an hour later its useless and just slows you down.

[pmaloney86]

Agreed they're totally unnecessary and kind of a scam. A few times every winter I see people post about getting a new drill combo and they always assume they need the clam plate. Like the drill would be some wild untameable beast without one. I told myself I'd try going without it first, and I'm glad I did. My drill is so lightweight and easy to use and I've never felt like it needed anything extra. The clam plate is like training wheels on a bicycle, might seem important when you don't know what your doing but an hour later its useless and just slows you down.

There is a degree of safety added with the clam plate.  The drills being used are very powerful and if the handle were to break it can cause serious damage.  There was a guy a few years back on here who did major damage to his whole arm bc the handle failed.

[ICEHOLE]

There is a degree of safety added with the clam plate.  The drills being used are very powerful and if the handle were to break it can cause serious damage.  There was a guy a few years back on here who did major damage to his whole arm bc the handle failed.

I don't even use the handle. I feel like there's proper form for using the drill. I don't see any risk personally. Less is more

[Ryan51993]

Has to be more to the story about the guy breaking his arm. My drill goes through ice easier than it puts a screw through wood.

[Rugburn]

I like my old Rev. B Clam plate, never any problems. It's probably not necessary but sure is nice! To each their own.
The old ones you take the chuck off the drill and screw in. People didn't like that so newer revisions came out.

[CranMan]

Clam plate is nice spinning a 10” nils with a Milwaukee + high output