Rank: New forum user 
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Does anyone have experience of the safety arrangements required for a hand held power drill which has been mounted on to a clamp to hold it in a set position?
We have two hand held power drills which have been mounted on clamps to allow the operator to drill holes into a piece of wood. Do they now require to meet the same standard of safety arrangements as a pedestal drill would be required to meet.
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi
I would say it is difficult to imagine a situation where guarding would not be required. I have one of these drill stands and if I can every get it to work, I will endeavour to fit a telescopic guard (or similar)
If you do a search for "telescopic guard hand drill" on Google images you will see the type of thing that can be "retrofitted" but an approach to the drill manufacturer will determine what recommendations they make in respect of this use.
Overall your PUWER assessment is the starting point to ensure all the significant risks are considered and necessary guarding and training are in place.
Apologies if this is teaching "grannies to suck eggs"!
Regards
Stuart
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Rank: Super forum user
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This is a tricky one, as the drill has been designed to be used by hand. What you are doing is using it in a fashion it was not designed to be used - in that, hand held drills (rotating chuck and bit) are not guarded, however, a pedestal drill will have a guard fitted to its rotating parts.
My advice, get rid of the clamps, these are old fashioned and can be dangerous for constant or industrial use. Use the hand drill as a hand drill and purchase a pedestal drill with a guard fitted for cutting the wood.
P.S. I haven't seen one of these drill clamps for years, they often vibrate loose and I didn't know they still existed.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I reckon it would be fine with a decent risk assessment.
People are forgetting the real reasons for guards around the rotating shaft.
On a pillar drill (and similar kit) there is a lot of torque and the rotating parts will drag you in and wrap you around the machine - severe outcome.
By comparison, a hand drill would quickly stall if you got something wrapped around it -cuts & bruises at the worse.
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Rank: Forum user
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Walker, I have a couple of hand drills that are double the power of my workshop pillar drill. Neither are likely to stall before exerting sufficient torque to cause injury.
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Rank: Super forum user
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quote=stillp]Walker, I have a couple of hand drills that are double the power of my workshop pillar drill. Neither are likely to stall before exerting sufficient torque to cause injury. Fine, so long as you understand that the significant hazard is the torque not the rotating shaft. Its not the motor power but the gearing that provides the torque, so if your pillar drill is pulleys and a belt (like most) its probably the more dangerous machine. I'll spell it out: If the OP was to use a fairly feeble drill which if I understand what he is planning to do, would do the job, then he is OK (IMHO).
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Rank: Forum user
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I would also look at the method of securing the work piece. In addition some form of emergency 'off' switch as with drills 'secured' in this fashion the locking mechanism on the trigger has to be used. A foot operated 'dead-man' switch is useful.
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