why you should clamp things down on a drill press

[Doc Sprocket]

yeah i need cutting oil my ears hurt alot... it screams like bloody hell

Then your drill bits are in dire need of resharpening.
Get a decent cutting oil
Run the drill as slow as it goes
Centrepunch and pilot a small hole
Increase drill sizes a couple steps at a time until hole is desired size

 

[r97]

ill probably make a big christmas list, lol. i wish everything was free. wouldnt that be sweet?

i had a huge list of tools, after looking at it i realized i had to cut it down a bit (a lot). would be really nice if stuff was free.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

Yeah im jus waiting to make mine as HF stuff goes on sale...

 

[redsox985]

Now THAT is probably the biggest piece of BS I've heard today. I've used many different fluids as cutting oil, from engine oil, chain oil, wd40, atf, all kinds of aerosol lube, and never once had something catch on fire. Smoke, yes, but you'll have some smoke with any lubricant.
Besides, you shouldn't be running your bits hot enough to catch anything on fire, if you are then they are being ruined. That is the whole point of a cutting fluid, to keep the tools cool. Otherwise you're dulling them at a severe rate.

But for safety, metal on metal produce heat and would adding a flammable fluid to heat be the best idea? No. Would buying a bottle of cutting fluid, that isn't flammable, for a few bucks be worth it? Yes. This thread was started on the basis of safety and for a few bucks, it's worth it. Have you ever sprayed WD40 over a lighter? Probably. Have you ever seen an oil field burning on tv? Yes. What happpens? They burn and they burn hot.

 

[newrider3]

Ok, you need proof? Here. NONE of these fluids when applied on a metal surface will ignite under OPEN FLAME, let alone the heat generated by drilling.
(click to view video)


Take a look here while you're at it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutting_fluid
NOWHERE in the properties of cutting fluid does it say "non-flammable". Nor in the safety concerns.

Lately it seems that the forum is being filled with misinformation passed on as fact. If you don't know what you're talking about, DON'T POST.

 

[redsox985]

Again, for a few dollars, prevent $#!+ from hitting the fan in that freak accident and get cutting fluid. They make specific cutting fluid for a reason. Not only on a drill press either, but turning steel on a lathe can produce extreme temperatures not created by drilling. It's a few dollars well spent on safety to prevent against freak accidents.

 

[newrider3]

Show me proof of the situation you describe and I'll believe it. In the meantime, I'll not be throwing my money down the sh!tter, but you're more than welcome to.

 

[redsox985]

In the broad view it's probably equal. Substitute the makeshift cutting fluid for real stuff and you don't have to buy as much of the whatever it is you may be using now. Have you ever turned steel in a lathe? It gets extremely hot. How about residual cutting fluid on a piece of metal you will be welding later, surely welding is past its flash point. For the cost and added security, it's a cost I will continue to pay. I am still young and would rather not screw things up this early on being negligent and using a flammable substance to cool extremely hot pieces of metal. To each his own, but to me safety takes precedent.

 

[Cam]

Any oil will work - (bar parrafin oil) old engine oil, hydraulic oil, multigrade, synthetic even canola oil - its all about its flashpoint and no normal grade of oil will just spontaniously erupt into flames, i have used lanolin and silicon spray oils - highly flammable to cool bits don't recommend it (stinks like sh!t) but its not like it just burst into flames.

All the oil does is provide lubrication, temp reduction and something to keep the swarf out of the drill bit, RTD is reccommended.

i agree squeaky drill is a blunt drill, when you get to the end of your hole you are drilling - ease up on the pressure so when it punches through it doesn't bite.

Cheers, Cam.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

alright guys........... GUESS WHAT I DECIDED TO DO TODAY????????????

 

[Doc Sprocket]

No clamps for Christmas, eh?

 

[Bluethunder3320]

No clamps for Christmas, eh?

nope. i did it again!!! hahah

 

[r97]

you got your shirt caught by the bit? i STRONGLY suggest one of these.

p.s. how did you manage to drill two holes in your table already!? doesn't your press have the laser thing? or is that just on the larger model?

 

[Bluethunder3320]

you got your shirt caught by the bit? i STRONGLY suggest one of these.

p.s. how did you manage to drill two holes in your table already!? doesn't your press have the laser thing? or is that just on the larger model?

the lazer doesnt work too well. and thats not my shirt, its the glove that i was wearing.

i need to get those vices when i get more than $6

 

[Cam]

Never wear a glove while using a drill press or bench grinder, your brain does not know you have a glove on and hence it will not account for the extra length on your finger tips.

I actually use rigger gloves for bench grinding, but they are tight on your hands, those look like welding gloves,

vice grips/pliers for that small job dude, hope it heals fast

 

[Rustydog2010]

Never wear a glove while using a drill press or bench grinder, your brain does not know you have a glove on and hence it will not account for the extra length on your finger tips.

Thats just like when you wear a safety helmet and are walking under low scaffolding. You cant comprehend that extra 20mm, and it F*&$ing hurts when you walk into it

Back on topic, I dont normally wear gloves but will ALWAYS wear safety glasses and ear muffs. Dont know why but it can hurt lol. Always clamp anything you are drilling, even if it is just a 6mm hole in a piece of 3mm plate.

If you do it often enough, it will become habit.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

yeah but my clamps dont go far enough onto the table.

 

[redsox985]

Those drill press vises are great. Look into a float lock drill press vise. These are also good because they clamp onto the work as well as the table so it's solid. Also, drill into wood or align bit with the center hole before drilling.

 

[r97]

i know its a very thin piece of metal, but still no drilling lube? whats wrong with the lasers? not aligning correctly, or not working at all? i'm pretty sure the manual has info on adjusting them.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

i know its a very thin piece of metal, but still no drilling lube? whats wrong with the lasers? not aligning correctly, or not working at all? i'm pretty sure the manual has info on adjusting them.

i used cutting oil. one of the lazers shoots farther than the other. i already allighned them. im going to read the manual i guess.