Research &Development

Machine Safety Information

Machines you will use are:

Scroll Saw

Band saw

Belt and Disk Sander

Drill Press

Always Wear Safety Glasses or Goggles

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 the 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, never with your fingers.

• Always wear eye protection (safety glasses or goggles).

• Horseplay is forbidden! Your neighbor, as well as you, has a right to be safe in the shop.

The Band saw

Band saw 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 Band saw

• 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.

Band saw 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 Band saw

• 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 Scroll Saw

Scroll Saw Safety Rules

• Make sure the blade teeth point downward toward the table.

• Do not cut material that is too small to be safely supported.

• Always keep hands and fingers away from blade.

• Always hold the work firmly against the table.

• If you are not thoroughly familiar with the operation of the Scroll Saw, obtain advice from your instructor

• Do not feed the material too fast while cutting. Only feed the material fast enough so that the blade will cut.

• Shut off power and clean the Scroll Saw and work area before leaving.

Scroll Saw Blade Adjustments

• Make sure blade is properly tensioned before operating saw.

• Make all adjustments with the power off.

• Never perform layout, assembly, or set-up work on the table while the saw is operating.

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.