• Do not turn on machine until work area has been cleared
• Check work area for cleanliness and obstacles
• Do not leave tools near or on machine
• Wear protective leather gloves
• Keep hands and fingers clear of blade
• Keep blade guard as low as possible over work
• Do not leave machine running if unattended
• Use wooden tool to push work
• Do not cut hardened steel
• Do not overload blade
• Lubricate metals
• Avoid bending the blade when in operation. Feed the part directly towards the direction of cutting.
• Keep your hands on either side of the cut line. Never reach across the cut line for any reason.
• Support the part by pushing the object towards the direction of cutting. Either do so by holding the part on either side of the blade, or if there’s inadequate room, support the part with another object directly behind it and push towards the blade.
• The upper guide and guard should be set as close to the work as possible, at least within 1/4 inch.
• Examine blade before installing to see if it is cracked, do not install a cracked blade.
• If the saw stalls in a cut, turn the power off and reverse the blade by hand to free it.
• Do not operate sanders without the guards in place.
• On the disc sander always use the downward motion side of the disc to sand. Never the upward motion side as this can throw your part upwards with tremendous force.
• Always attempt to place your work against the rest on the disc and belt sanders.
• On the horizontal belt sander, always sand, so that the belt motion is away from you.
• Do not operate machines with torn or ripped belts or disks.
• Do not sand any material that will give off a dangerous dust. Such materials as berylium or copper berylium alloys must not be sanded or filed. Asbestos must not be sanded. Asbestos is an ingredient of brake shoes and pads.
• Always hold work in a vise or clamp to the drill table.
• Use a correctly ground drill bit for the material being drilled. Shop personnel can help select the correct bit.
• Use the proper cutting fluid for the material being drilled. Ask the shop staff about the appropriate fluid for the material you are machining.
• Remove chips with a brush, never by hand.
• Ease up on drilling pressure as the drill starts to break through the bottom of the material.
• Don't use a dull or cracked drill. Inspect the drill before using.
• Don't drill with too much pressure.
• Always try to support part on parallels or a backing board when drilling thru material.
• Never place taper shank tools such as large diameter drills or tapered shank reamers in a drill chuck. Only straight shank tools such as standard drills can be clamped in chucks.
• Always clean drill shank and/or drill sleeve, and, spindle hole before mounting.
• Remove taper shank tools from spindle or sleeve with a drill drift and hammer.
• Lower the drill spindle close to the table when releasing the drill chuck or taper shank drill to reduce the chance of damage should they fall onto the table.
• Never clean a machine while it is in motion!
• If the drill binds in a hole, stop the machine and turn the spindle backwards by hand to release the bit.
• When drilling a deep hole withdraw the drill bit frequently to clear chips and lubricate the bit.
• Let the spindle stop of its own accord after turning the power off. Never try to stop the spindle with your hand.
• Plexiglass and other brittle plastics can be difficult to drill. Ask the shop superintendent for advice on drill and coolant selection when drilling these materials.
• Abrasive wheel machinery shall not be operated without the appropriate guards in place.
• Toolrests on bench or pedestal grinders shall be set no more than 1/16 inch from the wheel.
• Never use a wheel that has been dropped or received a heavy blow, even though there may be no apparent damage. Such wheels may be weakened or unbalanced enough to fly apart on startup.
• Stand to one side when starting a grinding machine. Damaged wheels will sometimes fly apart, and this is most likely to happen when the machine is being started. Stand to the side so that you will not be in-line with the debris.
• Do not grind on side of wheel unless wheel is specifically designed for such use.
• Do not use excessive pressure while grinding. On surface grinder do not exceed .0005 inch downfeed at any time.
• Report to the manager immediately any cracked, broken or otherwise defective wheels.
• Hold work securely while grinding, use the toolrest to support the work when off-hand grinding on bench or pedestal grinders.
• Do not grind aluminum. Aluminum dust is explosive. Check with shop staff for safety instructions if aluminum must be ground.
• Never work alone. At least two adults must be in the shop when power tools are being used.
• Dust, chemicals and smoke can be dangerous – work in well-ventilated areas, minimize contamination and use appropriate protective equipment.
• If you’re unsure about the safe operation of a tool or any aspect of a job – ask for help! Have shop staff check you out on a tool the first time you use one with which you are unfamiliar.
• Do not attempt to remove foreign objects from the eye or body. Report to the student health service for medical treatment. If chemicals get in the eye(s), wash eye(s) for 15 minutes in an open flow of water before proceeding for medical treatment.
• Machines must be unplugged when cleaning, repairing, or oiling.
• Do not work in the shop if you are tired or in a hurry – this almost always ruins the work, and often results in injury.
• A brush, hook, or special tool is preferred for removal of chips, shavings, etc. from the work area. Never use your hands to clean cuttings – they are sharp!
• Keep your fingers clear of the point of operation of machines by using special tools or devices, such as, push sticks, hooks, pliers, etc. Never use a rag near moving machinery.
• A hard hammer should not be used to strike a hardened tool or any machine part. Use a soft-faced hammer.
• Familiarize yourself with the locations of “First Aid Kits” and “Eye Wash Stations”.
• Do not use broken tools. Report broken tools and equipment to Shop Manager.
• No person may use any equipment that they are not trained on.
• Safety glasses must be worn when using equipment or when near someone else who is using equipment.
• Do not use files that have no handles.
The Student Machine Shop website also serves to provide engineering students with a source of links** that will help them to plan their projects, solve their engineering problems and build their final designs.
•Project Planning includes engineering materials references, formulas and calculations references, where to find materials, CAD programs, essentials for project planning: http://www.me.berkeley.edu/new/Shop/OnlineRefsRes.htm
•Hardware - List of hardware resources offering nuts and bolts and components used in project construction:
http://www.littlemachineshop.com/
www.homedepot.com/
•Online Materials Suppliers - comprehensive list of materials, power transmission components, tools, machinery, scientific optics, mechanisms, pneumatics, hydraulics, and items supporting product development: http://www.me.berkeley.edu/new/Shop/MatsOnline.htm
*DISCLAIMER: We do not endorse these links or sources, but list them only to show they are available to anyone in the public domain.
