Use and Care Manual

OPERATION

Drilling an unmeasured blind hole (not all the way through the workpiece) to a given depth can be done using

either the depth scale method or the workpiece method.

DRILLING SPEEDS

There are a few important factors to keep in mind when determining the best drilling speed:

• Material type

• Hole size

• Drill bit or cutter type

• Quality desired

Smaller drill bits require greater speed than larger drill bits. Softer materials require greater speed than harder

materials. See page 19 for recommended speeds for particular materials.

DRILLING METAL

• Use metal-piercing twist drill bits.

• It is always necessary to lubricate the tip of the drill with oil to prevent overheating of the drill bit.

• All metal workpieces should be clamped down securely. Any tilting, twisting, or shifting causes a rough drill

hole, and increases the potential of drill bit breakage.

• Never hold a metal workpiece with your bare hands. The cutting edge of the drill bit may seize the

workpiece and throw it, causing serious injury. The drill bit will break if the metal piece suddenly hits the

column.

• If the metal is flat, clamp a piece of wood under it to prevent turning. If it cannot be laid flat on the table,

then it should be blocked and clamped.

DRILLING WOOD

• Brad point bits are preferred. Metal piercing twist bits may be used on wood.

• Do not use auger bits. Auger bits turn so rapidly that they can lift the workpiece off of the table and whirl it

around.

• Always protect the drill bit by positioning the table so that the drill bit will enter the center hole when drilling

through the workpiece.

• To prevent splintering, feed the drill bit slowly right as the bit is about to cut through to the backside of the

workpiece.

• To reduce splintering and protect the point of the bit, use scrap wood as a backing or a base block under the

workpiece.

ADJUST THE DRILLING DEPTH (FIG. 18)

1. Turn the Depth Scale Ring to the desired depth.

2. Lock the Scale Ring in Place by tightening the depth knob.

This should stop the bit once it reaches a certain depth.

Fig. 18