Drilling: Using a Drill Press

Overview
Phase
- Introduction
  - Introduction
- Preparing to Drill: Measuring and Marking
  - Preparing to Drill: Measuring and Marking
- Preparing to Drill: Drill Press Setup
  - Preparing to Drill: Drill Press Setup
- Drilling
  - Drilling
Connections
- Uses
- Used In

Teacher Mode

Print Options

Territories

Material Construction

Level

Overview

Refer to and follow General Woodshop Safety guidelines.

Refer to the manual of your specific drill press for guidelines and step-by-step instructions for changing drill bits, setting the speed, raising/lowering the drill table height, etc.

Make sure you’re familiar with the procedure of changing drill bits in the press. If a bit comes out due to a loose chuck, it’ll be a challenge to get it back in (not to mention a safety hazard).

Depending on the drill press, make sure the speed is set appropriately for the material you’ll be drilling (generally slower for metal, faster for wood).

Use your right hand only! Because of the layout of the drill press, use your right hand for everything, keeping your left hand at your side.

If you try to use your left hand, your back will be to the drill press and material you are drilling.
Using only one hand (rather than two) ensures that you keep your body parts and clothes safe and clear of the spinning drill bit.

When teaching students how to use a drill press, demonstrate and explain the proper process. Using scrap material, have students take turns practicing the process while you watch and offer guidance and feedback. Depending on the size and skill of your group, not all students may need to practice.

Another idea for reinforcing learning: As students practice, have them say what they should do aloud. For example, in the drilling stage. They say, “Using my right hand, I turn on the drill press. Then I use the same hand to grab and turn the lever…” Alternatively, you could also have the group watch and say the steps aloud while one student demonstrates.

Goals

Practice precise and accurate measurement.
Implement proper clamping techniques.
Practice proper safety protocols for using a drill press.
Drill a hole into material at a measured mark using a drill press.

Assessments

Demonstrate how to precisely and accurately measure to determine hole placement.
Demonstrate proper clamping technique for securing material to be drilled with a drill press.
Explain and demonstrate proper safety protocols for using a drill press.
- Why is it important to use only your right hand?
- Why should you wait until the drill bit comes to a complete stop before trying to handle material?
Explain and demonstrate the proper procedure for drilling holes in material using a drill press.

CCSS Math
- Geometry
  - Graph points on the coordinate plane to solve real-world and mathematical problems.
- Mathematical Practices
  - Attend to precision.
  - Use appropriate tools strategically.
- Measurement & Data
  - Measure and estimate lengths in standard units.
NGSS
- Crosscutting Concept
  - Scale, proportion, and quantity
- Scientific and Engineering Practice
  - Using mathematics and computational thinking

Prerequisites

Drilling: Hand Drill

Basic Clamping

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Introduction

Introduce the students to the tool as a way to cut through material using a spinning blade known as a bit.

Allow students to handle a few different sizes of drill bits to emphasize that the tool will only be dangerous when it is misused. Describe how different sized bits will make different sized holes in your material (bigger bit = bigger hole).

Discuss the types of materials we can cut using a drill press (lumber, plywood, etc.). Most drill press activity in a wood shop will be with wood.

There are specific kinds of bits for drilling holes in wood vs metal and for specific diameters including spade bits and hole saws.

Demonstrate the steps before allowing students to move forward.

Introduce the tool as a way to cut through material using a spinning blade known as a bit.
Allow students to handle a few different sizes of drill bits to emphasize that the tool will only be dangerous when it is misused. Describe how different sized bits will make different sized holes in your material (bigger bit = bigger hole).
Discuss the types of materials we can cut using a drill press (lumber, plywood, etc.). Most drill press activity in a wood shop will be with wood.
There are specific kinds of bits for drilling holes in wood vs metal and for specific diameters including spade bits and hole saws.

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Preparing to Drill: Measuring and Marking

Measure out x- and y-coordinates on the material to be drilled using a square or ruler. Mark an X at measured location(s). It’s important to use an X and not a dot or circle because it is more precise. You’ll drill where the lines of the X cross.

To begin the demonstration, emphasize that knowing the location of your holes-to-be is a priority. Are we making axle holes for a toy car for example? Or do we need to have a series of holes made a specific distance apart?
Demonstrate how to use a square to measure where the hole is going to go. Explain the importance of using an X rather than a dot or a circle.

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Preparing to Drill: Drill Press Setup

Determine correct size drill bit for the specified hole and install it into the press. Tighten the chuck by hand on the bit then use the chuck key to finish tightening. To deinstall a bit, loosen with the chuck key then loosen by hand.

Put material into the vise clamp, making sure the mark you’ll be drilling is aligned with the gap in the center of the vise. Place clamped material onto drilling table.

Check drilling table height against the height of the material you’ll be drilling and adjust as necessary. To adjust the drill table height, loosen the table lock lever, then raise or lower the table so the top of the material is less than 1⁄2” from the tip of the drill bit. Make sure the table is centered so the hole is aligned with the bit and then tighten the table lock lever.

Align your marked material with the drill bit and use both C-clamps to hold the vise clamp onto the drilling table to prevent it from inadvertently spinning (very important!). All material must be clamped even if a vise is being used.

Again, demonstrate the steps for students, then allow students to practice/implement. Double-check their work before moving to the next step.

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Drilling

Keep your left hand at your side while using your right hand to flick the drill press switch up to the on position.

With your left hand still at your side, use your right hand to grab the top spindle lever and pull in a counterclockwise direction.

Continue to rotate the lever counterclockwise until the drill bit has pushed completely through the material being cut (you will be able to see sawdust fall from the bottom of the drill press table, as well as feel a slight release of pressure).

Once through, rotate the lever handle clockwise until the spindle has returned to its original position.

With left hand still at your side, use your right hand to slap the drill press switch to the off position.

Wait until drill bit has come to a complete stop before handling the cut material.

Younger students (and shorter students) should stand on a step stool to use this tool so they can have full control of the spindle.

Remember: Use your right hand only! Because of the layout of the drill press, use your right hand for everything, keeping your left hand at your side.

If you try to use your left hand, your back will be to the drill press and material you are drilling.
Using only one hand (rather than two) ensures that you keep your body parts and clothes safe and clear of the spinning drill bit.

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Connections

General Woodshop Safety

Lumber

Plywood

MDF

Drilling: Drilling Dowels

Cars/Vehicles

Drag Race

Joining: Dowel Connections

Four Foot Bridge

Cut, Draw, Draw, Connect

Spade Bit

Private: Countersink Drill Bit

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