[MaxBraverman]

Well....I am not sure if you are talking about a) a drive motor hand drill for the robot or if you are talking about a "hand drill" as in one you use to build or b) if you are talking about a DeWalt or Bosch drill motor.

If you are talking about a DeWalt that you are using to build your bot, then I may be able to help you out with your gear problem. I own a DeWalt 18V 3 speed drill/hammerdrill that I have used in construction work. Not too often it would physically resist changing speeds but was easily corrected. All I did to shift the gear was either 1) Drive in a screw or start to drill a hole, then as soon as you release the trigger, attempt to slide the shifter, or 2) start the drill motor going slow (do not apply any force on it in terms of driving a screw or anything for this technique), and try to shift it out of the 3rd speed setting as the drill is going VERY slow. There is a danger of damaging your transmision with the second way, however it has worked for me before when my drill wouldnt switch.

Hope that my suggestions helped you out,

Max Braverman
Team 180