WARNING: The drill press is one of the most dangerous tools! Here's how to use it safely.

I have long said, the drill press could be the most dangerous tool in the workshop, mainly because most people don't think of it as a dangerous tool, but they are geared so LOW that when they start drilling or turning, nothing can stop them so if you are hand holding while drilling into something, especially with a large Forstner or hole-saw bit, and that bit grabs what you are drilling into, you have NO chance of holding that, it will twist your wrist, arm, and fingers and can and does, result in injury. The best way to solve this is to use some sort of fence system on the deck of your table saw and this drill press safety video outlines a few different options to consider from DIY fence systems to commercial systems.

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[TonySmith-oqsz]

The first year of my Toolmakers apprenticeship was mainly about drumming in the importance of safety. However the safety precautions also needed to be practical. On the drill press what was most important was to have a quick method to stop the workpiece from spinning. All we did was secure a stop on the table to rest the workpiece against. If the safety setup is too complicated most would do without.

[frisc]

"Let me talk to you about safety while I drill without my safety glasses"

[hansdegroot]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. The metal plate that comes with the drill press to put your material on is kind of "hollow". The edges (downwards) are the deeper than the middle
part of the down side and most of the time there are some "ribs" to make it a little stronger. I have four "triangles" underneath the surface of the metal plate, in the middle of each is a rib.
To make clamping possible I cut out triangles of plywood of the same thickness as the edge. In the plywood triangles I drilled holes, in which I glued small magnets. This way the underside of the drill press plate is more or less flat and I can use clamps whenever I want.

[archiesatamfan]

My adopted grandfather had an old drillpress that I inherited. So I appreciate the instruction video and for those of you wondering no I haven't used it yet. Cause I know any tool can be dangerous if used improperly. That and It's in storage right now cause I don't have room for it where I live currently.

[deo.]

Hello, You are so right! 4 weeks ago I almost destroyed the thumb of my left hand, the large tendon had to be operated on: I used the 50mm Forstner Bit on a drill stand to drill a rain gutter (plastics), forgot a stop and didn't know of a hold-down device for this purpose. My expensive and painful mistake...

[SlumberingChaos]

TIL I have been far too lax with my drill press and super lucky. Thank you for this video!!

[csimet]

MagSwitches definitely help the situation over hand-holding any workpiece, but just be aware that while they are excellent for vertical holding power (up/down to the face of what they are attached to), they are nowhere near as strong with lateral loading (side to side shear strength) and can slip. This is especially true of the smaller ones and on smooth metal surfaces and/or ones coated with wax. You need very large MagSwitches or many small ones to achieve enough lateral holding strength. I've had parts I tried to hold to my drill press and table saw, slip under side loading.

Those 150s you show are rated for 150 lbs. of face holding strength (each, up/down), not lateral (shear).

Just be careful with extra large drill bits that have a tendency to grab. For me, nothing replaces actually clamping the workpiece down when I use those, as well as using a firmly locked down fence to side brace against the possible rotation of the part.

[nucleochemist]

Thanks Ive also noticed they are pretty dangerous. I often run mine off a variac to reduce the speed and power. However clamping has always been a nightmare so I will into the magnetic locks.

[WillysPerformanceCycleCtr]

Very interesting topic! Thanks for sharing your experience and solutions for typical drill press issues. Also, the discounts are great!

[jdwht]

Good tip as I've not seen those mag switches and will be looking at them for my (identical looking) drill press. Nothing gets your attention faster then a 1/2" drill bit grabbing a chunk of steel and spinning it around - and I know better since a part of my job years back was a huge 6 foot radial arm drill press

[thesweetone]

2 decades ago I nearly lost my hand when a bit caught on a sheet of aluminum and it shredded my hands and fingers, quick thinking mad eme pull it back and I was able to save my hand.

[joebrown]

Thanks Colin always looking out for our safety. I have had bits grab the material while trying to hold the piece it's a stupid thing to do.

[tedpuckett]

Interesting vid. I have recently gotten a drill press and think the Carter mag switch fence is how I’m going to solve the issue. They have adjustable locations on the larger one so while I have the smaller table the longer fence would give more reference area if doing longer length items. Thanks for sharing the video. Always enjoy what you show.

[brucelee]

Twist bits are more dangerous generally than Forstner and similar bits because as they come out the back of the job they try to lift the job UP. I was drilling some 3/4" holes in resin castings, had the drill vice braced against the column - the drill ripped the casting up and out of the vice then proceeded to give me a good thrashing with the casting. Took a few attempts to get enough clamps on to stop that. Another danger is long sleeves or similar loose clothing - if they get caught they will pull you into the moving parts suddenly and leave you tangled up, possibly unable to turn the machine off or get yourself free. You probably won't even be able to get to your phone to ring for help if you are working alone.

[Woodworking]

Thanks for the tip! Ordered the large AND small fences! Love this company, they’re just down the road from me!

[davidthompson]

I'm just now getting back into a workshop after a disaster to my father in 81, but I don't remember so many accidents around the tool shop growing up with my father's shop and training at high school.

[asdlkj]

Very timely, apart from Magswitch specials (I am in Australia), I just this week found 2 magswitches that I used on my tablesaw and they are 'pinned' to the metal wall on my shed. I now have use for them....

[notsoberoveranalyzer]

I got my first drill press recently. When I first started to use it, I was extremely nervous but as I’ve used it more and more, I’ve gotten more and more comfortable- almost too comfortable. So I’m glad to have caught this.

Honestly, it seems to me that tools get more dangerous the more comfortable ( I really mean “lazy” with them). Not that it’s great for you to be so scared that you aren’t secure in using them either.

[bobd]

Excellent video! The more safety videos, the better.

[racma]

You are right Collin, my fingers can testify it !