The Drill Press
...ce of operating equipment and should be maintained accordingly. Drilling Once you have completed the checks in order to ensure that the drill press and surrounding area are appropriately prepared, you can begin to prepare the work piece to be drilled. Always use a clamp to hold the work fast on the table. Holding the metal with your hand is very dangerous because the drill bit can become wedged and stuck in the hole. Were you to be holding onto the metal when this occurred it would be torn from your grip and it is very likely that your hand could be seriously damaged by the spinning object. It is advisable to place a wood backing under the work piece so that once the hole is complete you will not cut into the table. Some drill presses have stock holes in order to prevent the drill bit from drilling into the table. Before running the drill press look to see if there is a emergency power switch to turn off the tool in a hurry. This switch should be easily accessed and you must remember where it is so that you will not need to look should the time come. After inserting or changing the bit always place the chuck key back in it’s proper storage location, never leave it in the chuck. The first step to drilling a hole is to determine the location in which the hole is to be drilled. With a punch mark the exact location you want the center of the hole to be. This shallow groove will help the drill bit not to jump out of the intended path while you are first beginning the hole. Once you begin to drill apply a constant pressure to ensure the best results. As the hole begins to get deeper, pressure should be released periodically in order to add lubricant and clear away cuttings. This will prevent the bit from becoming too hot while it is boring the hole. Never use your hands to clear the cuttings away, use a brush or rake to do this and never place your hands beneath the object being drilled. If the hole you plan to cut has a large diameter then it is advisable to first make a pilot hole to guide the larger hole. The creation of this guiding hole will not only increase the quality of the final product, it will also reduce the wear on the drill bit. Never allow the hole to smoke for more than a second. Apply a lubricant in order to prevent the bit from breaking. If at any time during your task you find it necessary to adjust the bit or change the bit, always unplug the drill press first. This will ensure that the drill press cannot accidently start while you are adjusting the chuck. If you need to adjust the work piece turn off the power to the drill press and ensure that the bit has stopped moving. If you were not to do these things your clothing could become entangled in the machine or you could be badly injured. After Completion Once you have completed the hole turn off the drill press and allow it to stop rotating on its own. Never walk away from a piece of operating machinery. This is not only dangerous but irresponsible. Do not stop the rotation of the chuck with your hand or any other object. This is, for obvious reasons, a dangerous thing to do. If for example the drill has not actually stopped running, by grabbing onto the bit you will skin the inside of your hand. If a piece of metal shavings is on the drill bit it could easily cut into your hand. When, and only when, the drill press is off and the chuck and spindle are not rotating you can begin to clear the table and remove the work piece. After completing any task always clean the work area. By leaving a work area cluttered you are not only endangering future operators of the equipment you also endanger those who may be required to work near the equipment. General Rules Applied To The Shop Never use the equipment alone; always be accompanied by another person. This is important for obvious reasons, if you are unable to get help yo...