User:Jstapko/EngLab/newDP

Overview
The goal of this project is to identify, purchase, and install a new drill press in compliance with all applicable standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

An Alternative to this project is to modify the existing drill press  to make it meet guielines

Work Done
I started by reading some OSHA literature including the e-tool for drill presses and publication 3170-02R, about protecting employees from amputations. Some of the major features these publications suggest are:
 * a mushroom E-stop switch
 * a chip guard over the drill bit to protect the operator from chips
 * a cover over the start switch to prevent accidental starting
 * a disconnect box that can be locked out for servicing (if possible, add a link to the LOTO laws/standards here)
 * an electrical interlock mechanically activated by the belt cover so the machine can't turn on when the belt cover is open

Then I started browsing the Grainger website for drill presses having as many recommended features as possible, particularly an interlock on the belt cover, a chip guard, a mushroom button e-stop, and a cover over the start switch. The table below shows the results of early efforts.

The data above generally show that few of the machines evaluated thus far have safety features beyond a covered power switch or mushroom e-stop (but not both on a given model), and only the high end industrial models have additional features such as chip guards. None so far checked explicitly say that they are equipped with a belt cover interlock or locking belt cover.

There are still plenty of options left on the Grainger website, and there are the websites of individual manufacturers to check still. Also, the exact requirements of OSHA relevant to the educational environment (school shop) are unclear, it seems that some of the features may be merely "recommended, not "required."

Problems

 * we need to figure out which features are merely "recommended" by OSHA and which are "Required"
 * we need to decide whether we will seek to simply meet requirements or to meet additiona recommendations too
 * we need to either find a drill press with all "required" features or modify an existing model
 * based on results so far, it appears that few commercial models are factory equipped with more than two OSHA safety features in a single model, and most seem to be equipped with none.

Possible Models
Optimum B28H

Pros: Cons:
 * Comes from factory with bit guard and mushroom button
 * can run on wall socket power
 * expensive
 * does not have cover on start button

Palmgren 22" model 80320 pros:
 * continuously variable speed controlled without opening cover, meaning belt cover interlock rule does not apply
 * mushroom e-stop button

cons:


 * 230 volt power
 * online product reviews raise questions about quality/reliability
 * no bit guard factory equipped, seems to be extra cost option
 * expensive

Delta 18-900L Pros:
 * crossed laser alignment device
 * large table equipped with fence (may be an optional accessory, but nice to have
 * table that tilts forward and backward as well as side to side (ma7y be a feature unique to Delta)
 * company has a reputation for quality

cons:
 * no mushroom E-stop
 * no covered start switch
 * no bit guard as factory equipped, would have to add on

Next Steps

 * pages 41-45 of OSHA publication 3170-02R include references to other publications and laws. We could search for text versions of those laws and standards, and if online, link to them from this page


 * ANSI B11.8-2001, Safety Requirements for Manual Milling, Drilling and Boring Machines
 * ANSI O1.1-2004, Safety Requirements for Woodworking Machinery

(all copied from pub. 3170-02R, p. 42-45)
 * Go through OSHA and ANSI literature and identify "required" vs. "recommended"
 * keep going through the Grainger catalog to see how many features we can find factory equipped in a single machine
 * go through the websites of other manufacturers for drill presses with criteria mentioned above, such as:
 * MSC
 * Dayton

Based on this website, Dayton is a wholely owned subsidiary of Grainger. (here are some less than favorable reviews of Dayton presses found when searching for the manufacturer)
 * Optimum
 * Westward (couldn't find direct link, is this a Grainger brand too?)
 * Palmgren
 * Jet
 * Enco (checked most of these, nothing really promising)
 * McMaster (checked, no drill presses here)
 * Grizzly (generally, these come equipped with chip guards and "paddle switches," but also have links to assemply/installation manuals with tips for leveling and adjusting that might be useful on other brands)
 * Sears-Roebuck (Craftsman) (these seem to be equiopped with a power switch cover, but little else)
 * Harbor Freight/Central Machinery
 * Delta (model 18-900L has a tilting AND beveling table, a feature that would be nice to have on any machine we get)
 * Amazon (apparently they sell drill presses)
 * drillspot


 * possibly seek guidance from legal, plant ops, or the department management in establishing the exact goals of the project