Drill Press

This activity is listed as:

The process  to receive approval for this tool is:

1. Check below to see that your use falls within guidelines
2. Develop  with your faculty/staff oversight
3. Complete, sign, and submit the MIT 
4. Submit your 
5. You will be contacted to discuss the plan, feasibility, modifications, etc.
6. EHS will approve use of this tool once/if all safety and feasibility requirements are met
7. As pre-COVID, staff/faculty are responsible for making sure the safety plan is followed

Minimum required PPE and precautions (more may be required based on circumstance)

Most important safety considerations (issues, resources, advice, warnings)

• Tool Specific:

  • Always secure workpiece by clamping it down

  • Use appropriate speeds, determined by size of cutter and type of material

  • Use appropriate bits for appropriate materials

  • Use a step drill to put holes in sheet metal, NEVER use a twist drill bit on sheet metal as this may catch on the edges of the hole and lead the part to dislodge/spin and cause cuts.  This is an important rule to follow.

  • Never use a spade bit in a drill press

  • Peck drill when appropriate

• General:

  • Woodworking machines and tools shall not be used without the proper machine-specific training

  • Safety glasses must be worn, hearing protection should be worn with most power tool use.

  • No loose fitting and untucked clothes.  Tassels should be tied or tucked in.

  • Hair and beards should be tied back.

  • Do not wear gloves if the machine or tool has moving parts.

  • Use of powered machines and tools requires a buddy

  • Never use tools other than for their stated intention

  • Use care when operating machines or tools with high velocity and/or sharp parts

  • Never cut towards your own body. Your hand is a part of your body.

  • All appropriate guards that allow you to perform the desired action must be in place 

  • Ensure your setup has adequate dust collection

  • Unplug and control all cord powered tools before changing blades, or making adjustments to cutting tooling

  • Use water based finishes whenever possible. 

  • Always dispose of finishing implements properly by laying them flat on non-combustible surfaces to dry before disposal

Most important considerations in the use of the tool/technology (issues, resources, advice, warnings)

• Measure thrice, cut twice

Links or info about video/images and complementary or alternative tools/tech to consider

• Adhesives

• Paper/foam/cardboard

• Painting

• Interesting Interesting woodworker videos:

  •  https://www.youtube.com/user/6488jesse

• MIC Introduction to drill press

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcLfo_PI6qk

Forms and contact information required to obtain approval to use this technology/tools

• Link: 
• Link: 
• Email: Q&A and Discussion to mit-remote-making@mit.edu