Power Tools

Section 1 | Safety Concerns

Section 2 | Cordless Drills

1. Before you use this machine make sure that you have safety glasses on, and that you do not have any loose clothing, jewelry, lanyards or hair.

2. Make sure the work area where you are going to use the tool is clear.

3. Insert a charged battery into the drill.

4. Turn the drill on and make sure it sounds okay.

5. This device can be used as a drill or a driver. Make sure you select the correct mode for the work you want to do. If you use the wrong mode, you can break a bit or strip a screw.

6. Use the chuck to attach the bit you want to use.

7. If the machine is not acting normal, shut it off and tell an adult.

8. Use a clamp to hold your material still while you are drilling.

9. Hold the tool so the bit is perpendicular to your material and apply even, steady pressure.

10. When drilling deep holes, withdraw the bit a few times to clear the channel of debris.

11. When you are finished, put the battery on a charger and put the drill away.

12. Use a hand broom and vacuum to clean up the area where you were working.

Section 3 | Cordless Drivers

1. The cordless driver is a tool dedicated to turning bolts and screws.

2. It spins much slower than a drill so that you can’t strip the screws.

3. The chuck is different than the drills, and it can only accept certain bits with the correct shaped shafts.

4. Pull the knob of the chuck forward, and put your bit in. Release the knob to secure the bit.

5. There are Philips, Flathead and Hex driver bits, as well as bits that accept socket wrench heads.

6. The trigger has touch, so you can go slower by squeezing the trigger less.

7. When you are done put away your bits, plug the battery back in and clean up any debris you generated.

Section 4 | Jig Saw

1. This machine creates a lot of dust and can spray it into the air. You must wear safety glasses when using this machine.

2. As a safety feature, there are two triggers that must be held down to run this machine. One is to the side of the main trigger on the handle.

3. Make sure that you are using the correct blade in this machine for the material you are cutting.

4. The material you are cutting should be clamped to a table. Make sure you do not cut into the table with the saw.

5. The harder you squeeze the trigger, the faster the blade vibrates.

6. Make sure the blade is already moving before you touch the blade to the material.

7. This saw will try to hop up and down as you are cutting. You need to apply a bit of downward pressure on the handle to keep the machine from bouncing.

8. Put the battery back on a charger when you are done.

9. Clean up the area where you were working when you are done.

Section 5 | Hand-Held Band Saw

1. This machine is used to quickly (and roughly) cut aluminum or steel extrusions or axles. We always keep a blade for cutting metal in this machine.

2. As a safety feature, there are two triggers that must be held down to run this machine. One is to the side of the main trigger on the handle.

3. Always place the material you are attempting to cut in a vice before you start cutting it using this machine.

4. Make sure the blade is already moving before you touch the blade to the material.

5. Put the battery back on a charger when you are done.

6. Clean up the area where you were working when you are done.

Section 6 | Circular Saw

1. This machine creates a lot of dust and can spray it into the air. You must wear safety glasses when using this machine.

2. This machine is used for making straight cuts in long wooden boards.

3. As a safety feature, there are two triggers that must be held down to run this machine. One is to the side of the main trigger on the handle.

4. The material you are cutting should be clamped to a table. Make sure you do not cut into the table with the saw.

5. Clean up the area where you were working when you are done.