Drill Press and Portable Drill Safety and Operation

Shop Safety

Drill Press and Portable Drill Safety and Operation

Drills, both the drill press and the portable drill are very important to any shop. These machines are used for a variety of drilling and boring operations. The portable drill is very versatile as an on-site tool whereas the drill press is a more permanent shop machine.

Parts and Adjustments of the Drill

The standard portable drill has generally only one adjustment and that is the spindle speed. On the some portable drills, it is possible to select a speed by turning a knob but generally, the harder the handle is pulled, the faster the spindle turns. There are only three main parts to a portable drill, the motor, the handle, and the chuck. The chuck is what holds the drill. The chuck is tightened by either hand or by using a key.

The drill press has a number of important parts. The base of the drill press is what supports the column. All of the other parts are attached to the column. The table rides up and down the column to allow for different thickness materials to be drilled. The table is set at a specific height on the column by tightening a clamp at the desired height. The table can also be rotated around the base to allow for a variety of settings. Housed at the top of the column is the drill head. The drill head consists of the motor, the pulleys, the spindle, and the chuck. The motor turns a belt and by setting the desired pulleys, the desired speed is achieved. The pulleys turn a spindle which then turns the drill chuck. Attached to the spindle is the chuck and the chuck holds the drill. Again, the chuck is tightened by the use of a key.

Operation of the Drill

Portable Drill

The portable drill is very easy to operate. The first step is to locate the position of where you wish to drill. Depending on the material to be drilled, you may wish to center punch the location. Open the chuck and insert a drill. Tighten the chuck, either by hand or with a key depending on the type of chuck. Make sure to remove the key if your drill uses a key. Align the tip of the drill with the hole location and rest the drill on the material. Depress the trigger to the desired speed and begin drilling. When nearly through, ease up slightly on the speed and complete the hole.

Drill Press

The drill press is equipped with either a variable speed control or the speed is manually adjusted by means of moving the belt to a specific pulley set. Again, depending on the material and size of the drill you are using, adjust the speed accordingly. When drilling through a piece of material, place a scrap block underneath to minimize splintering and also prevent you from drilling into the table.

Before you begin to drill, adjust the height of the table so that the material to be drilled is approximately one half inch below the tip of the drill. Position the hole location under the drill and clamp the material to the table or other clamping device. Slowly and evenly feed the drill into the material. When the drill is about to break through the material you are drilling, ease up slightly on the feed pressure. It may be necessary to raise the drill out of the material to clear away chips from the hole. If you have more holes to drill, repeat the process.

By using the quill stop, it is possible to drill to specified depths. To set the depth, move the material so that you can see the drill alongside of it and lower the drill to the needed depth. Then adjust the quill stop and lock it at this depth.

Material that is round or irregular in shape should always be clamped or supported in some fashion so that it is unable to rock or move in anyway. V-blocks are especially helpful when drilling round stock. It is advisable to clamp the v-block to the table before drilling.

Safety Rules

Follow all safety rules found in General Laboratory Safety, General Machine Safety, as well as all oral instructions and demonstrations provided by your instructor.

Have your instructor’s permission before beginning operation of the drill press or portable drill.

If you have any questions or concerns, do not use the drill press or portable drill until you discuss them with your instructor.

Always wear safety glasses.

While machine is in operation, your hands will never be any closer than 4 inches from the drill if possible. Due to the nature of working with a drill press or drill, it is sometimes necessary to be closer.

Disconnect power whenever making adjustments to the drill press or changing the drill.

Use the correct drill speed, and feed for your operation.

Never rush your work. Allow the machine to drill the material at a comfortable pace.

Whenever possible, clamp material to the drill press table or if using the portable drill, clamp material to a bench.

Always make sure the chuck key has been removed from the chuck before turning on the drill.

Always use a scrap block or adjust the table so that you avoid drilling into the table.

When drilling deep or large holes, always back the drill out of the hole to remove chips.

If drilling metal, use lubricant to keep the drill cool.

Always use a v-block or other suitable clamping device when drilling round material.

Always make sure to seat the drill fully into the chuck and tighten the chuck securely.

When using a portable drill, always apply a steady straight pressure. Avoid applying pressure to the side.

When drilling metal, never sweep chips away by hand. Use a brush as the chips may be sharp and hot.

Roxbury High SchoolDrill Operation and Safety