Not much apparently..
We covered four of the six main machines - the whats, the how-tos, the what-not-to-dos. Knowing these and signing the "contract" allows me free usage of the workshop so that's good. The machines we looked at today were the Pillar Drill, Cordless Drill, Band Saw, Belt & Disc Sander. (Scroll Saw and Bobbin Sander another time.) They are mainly used for wood, though not exclusively.
Pillar Drill
- This drills a hole into my flat piece of material.
- Its size can be adjusted according to drill bit used.
- Its depth can be adjusted too.
1. Choose and fit drill bit securely, tightening with fitted key.
2. Set table at preferred height and lock into position.3. Set depth stop.
(Use sacrificial board when drilling all the way through material.)
4. Clamp material to bed on the table securely.
5. Switch on, turn wheel to drill in, turn to drill out, switch off.
Cordless Drill
- This drills a hole into material from multiple angles.
- As it is cordless, it is free from the mains and operated simply by hand.
- Convenient for curved material or awkward approaches.
- Requires attention to keep steady and straight.
1. Choose and fit drill securely, tightening by turning the chuck.
2. Clamp material (and sacrificial board).
3. Adjust torque and speed.
4. Squeeze trigger to drill in, reverse rotation to drill out.
* Leave drill on worktop on its side, not to stand on battery pack.
Band Saw
- This cuts a straight line into the flat material with the aid of the fence.
- It can cut limited curves too when the material is fed free-hand.
- Fit only for relatively large pieces of material to keep flesh away from saw.
1. Adjust guard to reveal/cover the saw depending on material height.
2. Set fence and lock into position.
3. Press material against fence whilst pushing through the saw.
*Use a cross slide or push stick to push material through.
4. Switch on, make cut, switch off, take material out.
Belt & Disc Sander
- This sands material to predominantly smooth its edges.
- Power turns on both sanders simultaneously - use only one at a time.
- One runs vertically, the other horizontally.
1. Choose one sander, fit for material.
2. Hold edge down onto Belt / push edge into Disc.
(Use the cross slide to keep material straight.)
3. Switch on, hold material firmly to sand, switch off.
