Research & Development Machine Safety Information

Machines you will use are: Belt and Disk Sander Bandsaw Drill Press

Always Wear Safety Glasses or facial/inhalation protection masks, goggles, & aprons when using these 3 machines.

General Safety Rules Remove all loose or sloppy clothing before starting machines. Watches, rings, neckties, gloves, and long shirtsleeves are dangerous around power machinery. Where there is danger of getting the hair caught in machines such as the drill press, tie your hair back. At any strange noise or faulty operation of a machine turn the machine off immediately and notify the instructor at once. Make and secure all adjustments before starting the machine. Never operate any machine if the instructor is out of the room.

General Safety Rules Do not tamper with the guards or make adjustments that you have not been taught to make. Do not allow anything to take your mind or eyes off the work when running a machine. Think out each operation carefully before turning on the power. If in doubt, check with the teacher. Clean a machine table with a stick or brush, and vacuum thoroughly- avoid cleaning with your fingers. Always wear eye, inhalation, and clothing protection items! Horseplay is forbidden! Your neighbor, as well as you, has a right to be safe in the shop.

The Bandsaw

Bandsaw Guard The saw guide must be adjusted within one-fourth inch of stock to be cut before power is turned on. You must not allow your fingers to come closer than two inches to saw when cutting stock.

Curved Cuts With the Bandsaw Be sure the radius of your cutting is not too small for the width of the blade of the saw. If the radius is too small for the blade, make relief cuts into the material to your line then cut your radius.

Bandsaw Blade Breakage A rhythmic click may indicate a cracked blade. Shut off the machine and report the click to the instructor. If band saw blade should break while machine is in operation, you should immediately shut off power, keep clear of saw, and notify instructor.

Cutting With The Bandsaw Stock must not be cut on the band saw unless the material is firmly supported against downward thrust of the saw. If necessary to back the saw blade out of a long cut, power should first be turned off the machine and allow it to come to a dead stop.

The Drill Press

Holding material when using and cleaning the Drill Press Clamp small pieces in a drill vise or clamp them to the table. Keep the table clean, but clean it with a brush.

Drill Press Safety Tie up your hair when working around whirling machinery. Rings, wristwatches, and gloves should not be worn. Beware of a coasting machine. Be certain your drills are ground in balance and sharp so that they do not tend to whip the work. Center punch for drill point. On deep cuts back out frequently to cleans and cool the bit.

Drill Press Safety Check to see that the chuck key is removed before starting the machine. On deep cuts back out frequently to cleans and cool the bit.

The Belt and Disk Sander

The Belt and Disk Sander Vacuum Ports Sanding operations may only be done if the vacuums are turned on and the hoses are connected to the machine.

The Disk Sander Table fence and guide must be correctly adjusted and tight. If you must leave sander before finishing the job, turn off power. Sand only on the down stroke side of disk. Do not hold small pieces in hand.

The Belt Sander Check to be sure belt is not too tight. Check to be sure side guard has been replaced. Be sure stock is firmly against stop to prevent belt throwing it. Do not hold small pieces in hand. Use a push block in sanding thin pieces.