Shop Rules

Buzz Robotics - FRC Team # 175

Bandsaw

• Check the teeth direction to be sure they are pointing down toward the table.
• Always keep the finished dimension of stock to be cut set between the fence and the blade.
• Use the miter gauge when making any angle cuts, or adjust the table and lock.
• Always keep the upper blade guide adjusted to within 1/4 inch of the surface of the stock being cut. The only exception is to provide clearance on narrow cuts where clearance must be provided for the rip fence.
• Always use a pusher stick, and keep hands and fingers out of the blade path.
• Never stand in line with the blade (right side) when someone else is making a cut. If a blade should break, you could be hit by the blade if it comes out of the guard.
  
  

Surface Planer

• If you have a dust collection, always turn it on. Turn it on after checking the collection barrel is below 2/3 full.
• Adjust the table for no more than a 1/16 inch cut.
• Adjust the pressure roller (in-feed) for the S or R position.
• Never feed boards with your hand on top of the board. If they stop as they feed in, lift the chip breaker handle. Boards should always feed on their own through the machine.
• Never adjust the table more than one full turn on each pass of stock.
• If the board surface chips, reverse the board direction, and/or reduce the depth of cut to 1/2, or even 1/4 turn on each pass.
• Use a different area of the 18 inch width, so blades wear evenly.
• Stand to the side of a board when planing, so loose knots or wood pieces that may fire out will miss you.
  
  

Drill Press

• Always use a clamp or vise to hold in position on the table. Never use your hands.
• The chuck is capable of holding all round shank or hex shank drill and hole saw arbors. The chuck is always tightened by hand, and final tightened done with a chuck key.
• Turn the chuck by hand before turning on the motor to ensure the drill or hole saw is centered and will spin true.
• Always be sure that the chuck key has been removed from the machine before it is turned on.
• Feed the tool slowly into the work. Drilling pilot holes and stepping up in increments to larger sizes in metals is required to protect the drills and you, and make the work go easier.
• Adjust chuck speed to match the size of the drilling or boring tool. Larger sizes require slower speeds to match the cutting (surface) speed of the material. On the machinist drill press, speed must be adjusted only when the machine is running.
  
  

Grinding Machines

• Pedestal and hand-held grinders are designed to cut steel only. Use of any other material will damage the wheels, or cause injury. Wood, plastic, aluminum should not be shaped on a grinding wheel.
• The tool rests should never be set to more than 1/8 inch from the wheel surface.
• Inspect the wheel before turning on the grinder for cracks, loading, chips and glazing. Redressing or replacement may be required before use.
• Grinding on the face of the wheel produces a hollow ground surface for sharpening tools. Grinding on the side of a wheel produces a flat surface.
• Never walk away from any machine and leave it running. Grinders will spin an especially long time after turning them off.
• Always use the eye shield in front of the wheel, even though you are wearing goggles or safety glasses.
• Grinding produces heat. Keep the work piece cool by dipping often in water. Using gloves can be dangerous as they can get caught in the wheel. Sometimes vise grip pliers can be an aid to holding small pieces while grinding.
  
  

Horizontal Bandsaw

• Check the teeth to be certain they are pointing toward the fixed vise jaw.
• Always supervise the machine while it is cutting; never leave an operating machine while a cut is being made.
• Support the bandsaw while it first starts to cut, before releasing for automatic feed.
• Keep the blade guides as close together as possible for maximum blade support while cutting.
• Orient flat stock, angle stock so the blade cuts material as evenly as possible. Flat stock should have the longest dimension parallel to the floor. Angle stock should be set so it points upward when the clamped in the vise.
• When cutting stock with a length less than the vise width, use a scrap piece of the same dimension to keep vise jaws parallel.