I just watched Ernie Conover’s video on drill bits and thought a comment might be in order. This is a well done video in my view though the topic might seem too basic for some it has some good stuff to consider.
My additions: assuming many of the readers like me will use a drill press and I think Ernie uses one from his rpm suggestions, a couple safety suggestions are on my mind:
1. If you take a piece of wood 3′ long x 3″ wide x 1″ thick to the drill press table and plan to drill a series of holes down the center 4″ apart, Ernie gives you great advice but stops short of an important point. Use a stop on the table to slide the piece on so it won’t spin and hurt you. A hold down is good practice too for that piece that climbs on you(especially if you are using 2500rpm as Ernie suggests on the twist bit.
Being lazy when I’m only drilling one hole, I always follow the rule I was taught: keep the short end of the stick to your right as you look at the press. If it grabs, the long end will swing into the post and not you. Yea the piece doesn’t have a precise hole anymore and you feel stupid but you aren’t gut hurt.
When I see others drilling long pieces of flat metal with no hold down or backing strip and the long end of the piece to the right all I can think of is that bit grabbing the work and spinning it into the person’s gut like a lawn mower blade. Help Mr. Wizard.
I don’t mean to diminish the nice job Ernie did in his video- his subject was DRILL BITS not operating a drill press. I just thought I would add a safety tip on Christmas as I drank my first cup of java.
I build a bunch of windsor chairs and several longrifles each year and they both require a bunch of drilling in the building process. I have spoon bits, forstners, hansons, and mostly twist bits by the truck load. What’s the point? I dull a bunch of bits over the course of building. On a recommendation from another Knotter, I went out and bought one of the little Drill Doctor sharpening tools. I have been very pleased with the results I am getting with this inexpensive little tool. It does a good job. Its fari to say I have re-sharpened at least 100 bits with it that were sitting in the dead cup.
Maybe something you could use?? Like everything else in the wood business: a sharp edge is a happy edge.
later
Edited 12/25/2007 8:31 am ET by danmart
Replies
When I see others drilling long pieces of flat metal with no hold down or backing strip and the long end of the piece to the right all I can think of is that bit grabbing the work and spinning it into the person's gut like a lawn mower blade. Help Mr. Wizard.
danmart
I cannot tell you more completely what sound advice this is. I've been around woodworking and metalworking most of my life. When you begin to think you know everything, that is precisely when you begin to make mistakes.
4 years ago, I was doing some metal fabrication work in the shop. I needed to drill 3 3/8" holes thru 3/16" plate steel. I didn't want to set up drill press vise for "such a small job", and simply clamped the steel to the drill press table. Well, you can guess what happened. The drill bit bound on a burr, and the plate steel I was drilling slipped right out from under the quick clamp, and all's I can say is "Thank the Gods" that my thumb on my left hand was parallel to the drill press table top, and not perpindicular. The steel cut through the top of my thumb from the knuckle to the tip, and sliced my thumb clean in half, splitting the thumb nail in half in the process. 22 stitches inside, and 25 outside, and an unuseable mitt for about a month was the only price I paid. I was lucky I didn't lose my thumb. Now, that thumb hurts every single morning when I wake up.
Great post, danmart!
At the time, I had over 20 years experience using a drill press. What a dumba$$.
Jeff
Real Sorry to hear about the mishap but.. it could have been worse. The drill press is a fairly safe tool but it too has dangers. Many approach it with less caution than I think is prudent.
Hope someone out there reads your account. It would be nice to save a few limbs and go on to enjoy another day of work.
dan
Jeff and Dan,
Thanks for the info. Not only a good reminder, but some excellent info and detail.
Alan - planesaw
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