Drill Press Safety

Summary of Safe Operating Procedures for the Drill Press (printable version)

 Install drills in the chuck to their full depth.
 If the drill is not equipped with a keyless chuck, use a chuck key to secure the drill tight.
 Do not leave the key in the chuck.
 Use only standard twist drills for metal. Do not use brad point or Forstner bits in metal
 Adjust the table to the proper height and angle.
 It is generally best to place a sacrificial board on top of the table to prevent drilling holes in the metal table and to prevent splintering the bottom of your stock when the bit drills through.
 Set the depth stop to prevent drilling into the table
 If using a sacrificial board is not practical, make sure the hole in the table is in line with the drill bit.
 Adjust the speed of the drill press according to the size of the bit and the material being drilled. See posted charts.
 For variable speed drills, always adjust the speed while the drill is running.
 Always clamp small pieces of wood onto the table or support them against a fence.
 If a drill bit catches in the wood, turn off the drill press and wait until it comes to a complete stop, before attempting to dislodge it.
 Do not force the bit into the wood stock. Always apply a slow, steady pressure.
 If a bit does not seem to be drilling properly, ask the Shop Supervisor to check it for sharpness
 If a deep hole is required, withdraw the bit frequently to cool the bit and clear the shavings.
 When operating a drill press always keep your fingers at a safe distance from the drill bit.
 Use a brush to remove shavings from the table.
 Never leave the drill press until it has come to a full stop