A bench press drill, also known simply as a bench drill, is the bench-mounted version of a drill press. This article describes some of the dangers to avoid when using your drill press.
Unsteady Base: Like all drill press tools, the bench drill is heavy; than you may think at first glance. The last thing you want is for it to come loose and fall out when the bit is spinning and your hands are full. To avoid this danger, even with a smaller bench press drill, you need to make sure that it is securely bolted to the workbench.
Unsafe Workpiece – This is one of the most common causes of accidents because it’s too easy to cut corners and not bother to secure the wood or metal you’re about to drill. If the workpiece moves in the middle of drilling, the bit will catch on the side of the hole and cause the workpiece to shake violently, with potentially dangerous consequences. That’s why drill rig safety principles require your work to be secured in position. For regular shaped parts, clamps can be used to hold everything in place, but for irregular parts or jobs that need to be drilled at an angle to vertical, you may need additional column drilling accessories such as jigs or cradles. to ensure your work at the desired angle.
Loose bits – Like so many power drills, loose bits are always a potential hazard with bench drills. Some would say that the consequences may be less severe with a stationary drill and stationary work piece, but it is still a hazard to be avoided. Even if the workpiece is secure, a loose bit can gouge the hole and cause a real mess.
Broken Drill Bits – A drill bit that suddenly breaks can be a shocking thing and there is always a chance that the broken end of the drill bit could fly towards you. To minimize the chance of this happening, always secure the workpiece so it doesn’t move, and never force the bit down into the work; just put it down and let the bit gently do its job.
Overheating – When drilling long and hard, especially through metal, there is a real danger of the drill bit overheating and producing smoke. This is unlikely to burn you, but it will damage the workpiece and the bit in seconds. To avoid this hazard, at the first plume of smoke or burning smell, pick up the bit immediately and apply enough coolant such as WD40. Better yet, be more patient and use a lower drill speed to keep things from getting that hot.