A Close One on the Drill Press

[Tom Hintz]

I did a stupid the other day on my drill press and happened to get it all on video. Since posting this video a couple days ago I have gotten a bunch of email from people who have assumed the same thing about size and weight of the piece being drilled that I did before this happened. See the link below for that story and the video. then, make sure that you don't make the same assumption!

http://www.newmetalworker.com/dpcloseone.html

 

[MrMark]

Thanks for posting that. Live and learn.

You could see from just looking at that that it wasn't a safe setup. Three times that weight wouldn't have been safe unclamped. You were some lucky. A powerful drill, hand or drill press, is one of the most dangerous tools. I pay strong attention when I use my Milwaukee right angle drill, or any drill for that matter.

 

[charley1]

Im smart with a drill press too, but now my clamps are going to be next to my drill and used!!

 

[spongerich]

Here's how #$%& stupid I am.

I watched that this morning and was reminded of all the times I've had stuff come off the drill press, had the table saw fire a piece of wood across the shop, etc...

Literally 2 hours later, my son and I were drilling some holes into a piece of PVC pipe for his science project. Thinking that "it's just a little piece of PVC" I clamped it in the vise and held it steady while he drilled it.

Naturally, it caught as we drilled through the 2nd one and the vise spun off the table.
Nobody was hurt, but I sure felt like a complete jackass.

I took the time to grab 3-4 big C clamps and put them on the table that's next to my drill press so they'll always be there.

 

[tatra]

i work with " seasoned professionals " that do that all the time.........and am told by my bosses i take "too long" to clamp things and do it safely...........