General Information
To use the Drill Press (or any of the tools in the Machine Shop or Makerspace) you must first review and agree to the Shop Rules. Fill in and sign the tear-off sheet at the bottom and give it to the Shop Monitor or to your Trainer. You only need to do this once.
Completing the introductory training will give you Supervised use of a particular machine. You can use the machine as long as you are supervised by the Shop Monitor. Completing further instruction and gaining more experience can allow you Unsupervised use of a machine (you still cannot work alone). Ask the shop manager if you are interested in becoming a Shop Monitor.
Levels of access apply to a particular machine, not all machines of the same general type. For example, if you were trained to use the table-top drill press in the Makerspace then you cannot automatically use the tall drill press in the Machine room. But you can easily add the necessary training and/or experience to use the tall drill press once you have trained on the table-top drill press.
Your access to the machine(s) or shops may be restricted if you violate the shop rules or if you don’t exhibit proper safety. For example, if you have been allowed Unsupervised use of a drill press, but you leave the key unattended in the chuck, then your access may be reduced to Supervised.
Supervised
Your trainer will show you the machine, tell you the names of various parts, and explain the basics of safely using the machine. Eye protection is required at all times when using this machine, or when watching someone else use the machine.
Your trainer will show you how to insert a bit and tighten it in the chuck, and how to release it and remove it when done. You may also see a demonstration of what it looks like when a bit is not properly centered.
Your trainer will emphasize the need for “Chuck Key Discipline,” which means:
- Never leave the key in the chuck, especially unattended.
- Always put the chuck key back where it “lives,” either on a hanger or a magnet.
Your trainer will show you how to raise and lower the work table, and will emphasize the importance of aligning it so that the drill bit never makes contact with the work table. You might see evidence that someone didn’t do it right.
Your trainer will explain to you and demonstrate how the Depth Stop works, and should discuss the issues around determining the correct depth.
You will demonstrate (and experience) drilling holes through wood, plastic, and metal.
You will demonstrate setting the work table to the proper height and position for a particular job so that the drill bit cannot make contact with the work table.
You will demonstrate putting a drill bit in the chuck, using it, and removing it. You will always demonstrate proper chuck key discipline.
You will demonstrate drilling a hole of a particular size (diameter) and depth (using the depth stop). To do this you will be given a piece of a round metal rod that should just fit in your hole up to the groove.
You will demonstrate cleaning the machine when you are done.
Unsupervised
Once you have qualified for Supervised use of the drill press you can also qualify for Unsupervised access by completing the following:
- Use of the drill press (with supervision) on 5 different days with no issues. (Be sure to have the Shop Monitor record your experience in the training log.)
- Demonstrating how to adjust the stiffness of the return mechanism that lifts the chuck and bit up away from the work once you release the feed handle, and explain why having this too loose or too tight is a problem.
Only the Shop Manager can grant you Unsupervised use of the drill press.