How to Bore With a Drill Press

Prepare to use the drill press by pulling back long hair, removing any loose-fitting clothing or jewelry and rolling up long sleeves. Always wear safety glasses and gloves while operating shop machinery.

Attach the appropriate drill bit to the drill press. Drill press bits are purpose-designed to penetrate a wide variety of materials, so be sure to verify that the bit you are using is rated for your material. Insert the bit at least 1/2 inch into the chuck, and secure the bit into the drill by turning the chuck key clockwise until the bit is tight.

Adjust the height of the table to the appropriate height for your project. It's important not to set the table height too high, or the drill bit could hit the table and stall. Some drill press tables are adjusted using a lever, while others are adjusted with a bolt or pin.

Clamp your project securely onto the table. Clamping prevents the piece from rotating suddenly during drilling, which could potentially injure you or damage the drill press.

Set the motor speed, using the manufacturer's chart included with the drill press. In general, harder materials and larger bits require a slower speed than softer materials or smaller bits.

Turn the drill on and allow the motor to achieve its full, designated speed. Rotate the handle slowly to drop the bit down. If the bit labors or if you are boring a particularly deep hole, you might need to raise the handle in the middle of the job and clear sawdust from under the bit.

Raise the handle once the hole is complete, and turn the motor off. Allow the drill to come to a complete stop before removing your project from the machine.