Drill Press Safety

The Drill Press is used for drilling holes in various materials. The main advantages of the Drill Press over the cordless drill counterpart, is that using the Drill Press will allow you to drill with very high accuracy, drill larger holes, and drill at specific angles more successfully. The Drill Press does have a limited distance that a hole can be drilled from one edge of the material, this is the distance from the base of the chuck to the column.

Drilling holes in wood is not difficult if you use the right tools and proper technique. Some common mistakes are to use bits for drilling metal, and drilling at high speeds with too much pressure. Here is a collection of safety tips and techniques for the Drill Press that will have you drilling like an expert in no time.

  • Secure any loose fitting jewelry or clothing, tie back long hair - they can get caught in moving parts
  • Always be aware of where your fingers are in relation to the drill bit
  • Do not use bits that are dull, bent or damaged
  • Get a book on Drill Press usage
  • Use the correct drill speed for the style of bit you are using. SEE SPEED CHART BELOW
  • Make sure the bit is centered in chuck and tightened before operating the drill
  • Do not leave the chuck key in the chuck while operating the machine
  • Never turn the drill press "on" before clearing the table of all objects (tools, scrap pieces, etc.)
  • Do not use bits that have a screw tip (called wood boring bits). At drill press speeds, they will bore into the wood so rapidly as to lift the work off the table and spin it. This can be very dangerous!!! SEE CHART BELOW for identification of drill bits
  • Do not start the drill press with the drill bit in contact with the work piece
  • Always let the drill chuck come to a complete stop on its own. Never grasp the chuck in an attempt to stop the drill bit
  • Avoid awkward hand positions where a sudden slip could cause a hand to move into the drill bit or cutting tool
  • To prevent rotation of the work piece, always clamp work securely to the table if it is too short to contact the column or when using a hole saw or cutting tools larger than 1/2" diameter
  • Never  work on the drill press table while the drill is operating
Various Drill Bits
Auger Bit Auger Bit
* Use with hand drill only
* Do not use on metal
Paddle Bit Spade Bit /Paddle Bit
* Easier to use larger diameter bits on drill press, but hand drills can be used
* Do not use on metal
Boring Bit Wood-boring Bit
* Use with hand drill only
* Do not use on metal
Pilot Twist Bit Twist Bit with brad point tip
* Use with drill press or hand drill
* Do not use on metal
Twist Bit Twist Bit
* Use with drill press or hand drill
* Great for metal (use carbide tipped)
* Carbide tipped bits are usually black
Masonry Bit Masonry Bit
* Use with hammer drill only
* Use only on masonry or plaster
* Note the "hammerhead" tip
Countersink Bit Countersink bit
* Use with drill press or hand drill
* Do not use on metal



DRILL PRESS SPEED CHART
Recommended operating speeds (RPM)
From the editors of WOOD magazine
Softwood
(Pine) 		Hardwood
(Hard Maple) 		Shop Notes
Twist drill bits*
1/16"-3/16"
1/4"-3/8"
7/16"-5/8"
11/16"-1" 		3000
3000
1500
750 		3000
1500
750
500 		Lubricate drill with oil when cutting steel 1/8" or thicker.
Use center punch on all holes to prevent drill from wandering.
Brad-point bits*
1/8"
1/4"
3/8"
1/2"
5/8"
3/4"
3/8"
1" 		1800
1800
1800
1800
1800
1400
1200
1000 		1200
1000
750
750
500
250
250
250

Forstner bits
1/4"-3/8"
1/2"-5/8"
3/4"-1"
1 1/8"-1 1/4"
1 3/8"-2" 		2400
2400
1500
1000
500 		700
500
500
250
250 		Raise 1/4"-3/8"bits often to clear shavings and prevent heat build-up.
Make several shallow passes with larger bits; allow bit to cool between passes.
Hole saws*
1"-1 1/2"
1 5/8"-2"
2 1/8"-2 1/2" 		500
500
250-500 		350
250
NR 		Do not use with brass or aluminum thicker than 1/16".
Avoid dense hardwoods such as hard maple.
Spade bits*
1/4"-1/2"
5/8"-1"
1 1/8"-1 1/2" 		2000
1750
1500 		1500
1500
1000 		Clamp work to table to improve quality of hole.
Spade bits with spurs
3/8"-1" 2000 1800 Best bit for acrylic.
Clamp work securely.
Circle cutters*
1 1/2-3"
3 1/4"-6" 		500
250 		250
250 		Drill one side, flip material over, place center bit in its hole, and resume cut.
Shear-cutting countersinks
1/4"-3/8" 1000
50 		1000
700 		Cuts cleaner than traditional countersinks.
Countersinks
2-flute
5-flute 		1400
1000 		1400
750 		Raise and lower frequently for quicker cutting.
Countersink screw pilot bits
All sizes 1500 1000 Clear twist drill often.
Taper drill bits with countersinks
All sizes 500 250 Clear bit often to prevent heat build-up.
Plug cutters
All sizes 1000 500 Raise and lower frequently for quicker cutting.
Drum sanders
Hard rubber
Soft sleeveless
3" pneumatic 		750
500
1750 		1500
750
1750 		Avoid load-up and overheating.

Decrease air pressure for fine contours.
Polishing wheels
All sizes 1500 1500 Use light pressure.
Flap sanders
All sizes 2000 2000 Hold work firmly.
NR —Not recommended *Back material to prevent chip-out. Always wear a face shield for optimum protection.

Notes
• Recommendations are based on visual and tactile tests under shop conditions.
• Drilling faster than recommended can cause overheating.
• Speeds slower than those recommended may cause poor-quality holes.
• All testing done on face grain. Reduce speed when drilling into end grain.
• Speeds based on new bits from the factory.

As with all tools, whether it is a drill press, a lawn mower or your car, it is best operated defensively. Know the tool, know its capabilities and know yours as well.

Safe Drilling!