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Bandsaw Safety

In fabrication we use both a vertical and horrisontal bandsaw. The horrisontal is prefered because of the clamp that holds the material. This makes it both the safer and more acurate option. The horrisontal bandsaw also can run coolant, which again, makes it more desierable.

  • Approach the machine as if it were running and never leave a machine running unattended.

  • Wait until the machine reaches full speed before starting to cut.

  • If the blade breaks or comes off the drive wheels, turn the machine off (E-stop) and step back. The wheel will continue to spin and can be dangerous until the machine come to a complete stop.

  • Set blade guide height to 1/4 inch or about the thickness of a pencil. This protects you in case you were to slip off the material and also helps keep the blade in position to cut as straight as possible.

  • Keep hands at least 6 inches away from blade at all times. If they have to be closer, use a push stick.

  • Hold stock firm and flat on the table. Never put fingers under the material being cut.

  • Keep hands and fingers on either side of the blade; never inline with the cut. V block

  • If cutting round stock, you must use V-blocks to keep the material from rolling forward and pulling your fingers into blade or pinching your fingers against table. Relief Cuts

  • When making a curved cut, you must make relief cuts first to take pressure off the blade and keep it from binding.

Drill Press

The drill press can be used to drill holes that have already been center punched, deburr holes, and tap holes. The drill press can be used on all materials, and it is important to make sure the table is clean, so the drill bit can realign its self and not break

  • After tightening or loosing the drill chuck, always remove the chuck key from the chuck.

  • Do NOT reach to the back of the drill press while it is running.

  • Stock must be held with a clamp or vise to prevent it from spinning on the bit.

  • NEVER hold stock by hand when drilling. The bit can catch and spin the work causing injury or damage to the work and machine.

  • When feeding the bit into the material, use slow, even force on the handle. The need for excessive pressure is usually the result of a dull bit or improper RPM.

  • Drill with even pressure; never crowd the drill.

  • Stop drilling if excessive vibration, noise, or heat is produced when drilling.

  • To prevent drill bit wandering, use a center punch to make a dimple in the material for the drill bit to start in.

  • Do NOT leave the drill press running unattended.

  • Wait until the drill press comes to a complete stop before removing material or making adjustments.

  • Loose clothing, jewelry, ties, gloves, long hair, and hoodie strings can get caught in rotating parts and cause serious injury or death.

  • Always use a brush to remove chips, Never use your hands.

  • Use only the recommended bits for the size drill you are using.

  • A pecking operation involves making small advances into the material and then backing the bit out to break and remove chips in order to prevent excessive heat or potential bit breakage.

Belt sander

  • Keep all parts of your body and clothes away from the belt as it rotates

  • So NOT wear gloves when operating a sander

  • 40 to 80 grit is considered course grit.

  • Move stock with even pressure across the surface of the belt to keep ware even

  • Always make sure that when you sand, the material is being pulled downward. proper position

  • Always hold material flat against the rest

  • Always check the belt for tears before use

  • Make sure ventalation is turned on before sanding

  • The grit of the belt is the size rating of abrasiveness of the belt

  • Hands and fingers should remain at least 6 inches away from the belt.