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.