SOP-EQ-014
Rev 2 · Issued 2026-05-25 · Next review 2028-05-25
King Canada KC-20VS-2 Mill/Drill — Safe Operation
Standards basis: OHSA s.25; O.Reg 851 s.24 (machine guarding), s.31 (rotating equipment), s.85 (lockout), s.105 (PPE); CSA Z460-13 (cord/plug LOTO); CSA Z432 (Machine Safeguarding); CSA Z1002 (risk assessment); CSA Z94.3 (eye/face protection — minimum grade 2; ANSI Z87.1-marked glasses also acceptable since Z94.3 marks indicate Z87.1 conformance); CSA Z94.2 (hearing protection); CSA Z195 (footwear); King Canada KC-20VS-2 Instruction Manual takes precedence on equipment-specific procedures.
Machine Specs
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | King Canada Tools Inc. (Dorval, QC) |
| Model | KC-20VS-2 Milling/Drilling Machine with Digital Readouts |
| Motor | 4.8 Amp, 5,600 RPM (carbon brush motor) |
| Voltage | 110V single-phase, 60 Hz, 15A circuit breaker required |
| Spindle taper | R8 |
| Spindle stroke (quill travel) | 2" |
| Spindle speeds | Two ranges — Low: 50-1125 RPM, High: 100-2250 RPM |
| Max spindle nose to table | 13" |
| Swing | 13" |
| Working area of table | 7-1/16" × 27-1/2" |
| T-slot size | 1/2" |
| Longitudinal travel (X) | 18-7/8" |
| Cross travel (Y) | 6-7/8" |
| UA46 drilling capacity (derated) | 3/8" cast iron / 5/16" steel (mfr ratings 3/4" / 5/8" — derated to extend machine life) |
| UA46 end mill capacity (derated) | 3/8" max (mfr 3/4") |
| Face mill capacity | 2-1/2" |
| Weight | 265 lbs |
| Safety guard | Transparent with auto-shut-off limit switch |
⚠ Danger
Loose clothing, hair, gloves, jewelry, or unclamped workpieces around a rotating spindle CAN AND WILL cause amputation or strangulation. NEVER reach near a spinning spindle. NEVER reverse spindle direction while turning — wait for complete stop.
PPE Required
CSA Z94.3 / ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses with side shields — MANDATORY before machine start
CSA Z195 Grade 1 safety footwear (265 lb machine — drop hazard, plus chip exposure)
CSA Z94.2 hearing protection (extended high-RPM operation)
Hair contained (above shoulders, secured back of neck); no loose hair near spindle
Tight-fit gloves for chip handling ONLY — REMOVE before machine start (entanglement hazard)
Pre-Use Inspection
- Confirm cord intact, three-prong grounded plug; 110V, 15A circuit breaker available
- Verify transparent safety guard is in place and limit switch functional (machine will not start with guard open)
- Confirm forward/reverse switch is at "0" (OFF) and emergency STOP button is engaged
- Inspect cutting tool/drill bit for sharpness, runout, damage; confirm drawbar tight on arbor
- Verify workpiece is securely clamped to table or in vise — NO freehand work permitted
- Confirm high/low speed selector matches planned operation; variable speed dial at minimum before start
- Verify all chuck keys and adjusting wrenches REMOVED from machine before start
- Confirm chip-clearing brush available at machine (NEVER clear chips with bare hands)
Operation
Workpiece Setup & Cutter Installation
- Lower head to provide clearance for tooling; lock head lock handles
- With machine UNPLUGGED, install drill chuck or end mill into R8 spindle taper; insert drawbar from top, thread into arbor by hand
- Hold drawbar flat (8mm wrench), tighten drawbar nut (17mm wrench) — finger-tight plus slight wrench turn; DO NOT overtighten
- Reinstall drawbar cap
- Position workpiece on table; secure with T-slot clamps, vise (use soft jaws on finished surfaces), or fixture — clamping must prevent rotation under cutting forces
- Reconnect power; confirm emergency STOP engaged and forward/reverse at "0" before final plug-in
- Position cutter approximately above workpiece; lock head lock handles at correct working height
Drilling Operation
- Calculate spindle speed: (Cutting Speed × 4) ÷ Tool Ø in inches = RPM (see Speed Reference table below)
- UA46 drilling LIMITS: 3/8" max in cast iron, 5/16" max in steel — derated from manufacturer ratings
- Set high/low range selector: Low (L) for ≤1125 RPM, High (H) for 1125-2250 RPM; use Low for maximum torque
- Ensure table longitudinal and cross travel lock handles are ENGAGED (drilling requires locked X/Y axes)
- Set variable speed dial to minimum (full CCW), squeeze emergency STOP cover tab and pull open, press green ON
- Set forward/reverse switch to "F"; turn variable speed dial CW to target RPM (monitor digital readout)
- Unlock quill; use downfeed handles for rapid travel or fine feed knob for precise depth; WITHDRAW drill from workpiece BEFORE stopping spindle
Spindle Speed Reference
Spindle RPM = (Cutting Speed × 4) ÷ Tool diameter in inches. Use the slowest practical speed within range.
| Material | Cutting speed (sfm) | 1/4" tool RPM | 3/8" tool RPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum / alloy | 300 | 4800 (above range) | 3200 (above range) |
| Brass / bronze | 150 | 2400 (high range max) | 1600 (high range) |
| Copper | 100 | 1600 (high range) | 1067 (low range) |
| Mild steel | 90 | 1440 (high range) | 960 (low range) |
| Cast steel | 80 | 1280 (high range) | 853 (low range) |
| Stainless steel | 60 | 960 (low range) | 640 (low range) |
| Cast iron (soft) | 80 | 1280 (high range) | 853 (low range) |
| Cast iron (hard) | 50 | 800 (low range) | 533 (low range) |
| Tool steel | 50 | 800 (low range) | 533 (low range) |
UA46 reminder: UA46 drilling capacity is 3/8" max in cast iron, 5/16" max in steel (half of manufacturer ratings to extend machine life). End mill capacity 3/8" max.
Milling Operation
- Calculate spindle speed per material × cutter diameter (see Speed Reference); UA46 end mill LIMIT: 3/8" max diameter
- LOCK the quill (prevents axial chatter and tool pullout from cutting forces) — milling cuts apply lateral and axial loads
- UNLOCK longitudinal (X) and cross (Y) travel lock handles (table must traverse during milling)
- Set high/low selector + variable speed dial to minimum, start machine and ramp to target RPM
- CONVENTIONAL milling ONLY at UA46 — table feed OPPOSES cutter rotation; CLIMB MILLING PROHIBITED (climb feed pulls workpiece into cutter, risking tooth-load failure and workpiece kickout)
- Engage cut by hand-feeding longitudinal handwheels at consistent rate; do not stop mid-cut; do not stand directly in line of travel
- Retract cutter clear of workpiece BEFORE stopping spindle; press emergency STOP to halt
Prohibitions
- Never operate without the transparent safety guard in place — the limit switch will prevent startup, but bypassing it is a fundamental violation
- Never do freehand work — workpiece MUST be clamped or held in a vise that is bolted to the table (manufacturer §2 specific safety)
- Climb milling is prohibited — only conventional milling is permitted (cutter rotation opposes feed direction)
Emergency Stop
Emergency Response
Press the red emergency STOP button on the control panel — this opens the contactor and immediately removes power from the motor. The spindle will coast to a stop (no active braking) over approximately 5-15 seconds depending on speed and inertia. To re-start: squeeze the spring tab next to the STOP button, pull the cover open, press the green ON button. If the E-Stop does not respond, unplug the cord at the wall outlet. Do not reach for the spindle while it is coasting. The safety guard limit switch will also trigger an E-Stop if the guard is lifted during operation.
| Scenario | Immediate response | Notify |
|---|---|---|
| Operator clothing, hair, or glove caught in rotating spindle | Press emergency STOP IMMEDIATELY; do NOT attempt to free until spindle fully stopped (~15 sec coast-down) | Instructor + 911 |
| Workpiece thrown from table (clamp failure) | Step clear of travel path; press emergency STOP; do not approach until spindle fully stopped | Instructor + first aid if struck |
| Cutter / drill bit breaks during cut | Press emergency STOP; clear area; inspect for shrapnel and embedded debris before approach | Instructor + first aid if struck |
| Smoke or burning smell from motor or spindle | Press emergency STOP; unplug at wall; do not restart | Instructor; LOTO pending service |
| Cord damage during operation | Do not touch machine; power off at wall breaker if accessible | Instructor immediately |
| Safety guard limit switch fails (machine starts with guard open) | Press emergency STOP; unplug; tag out of service | Instructor immediately |
Power Isolation
Cord-and-Plug Control
Before servicing, cleaning, or accessory change — unplug the unit and maintain exclusive control of the plug. Per CSA Z460-20 cl. 4.3.5.
- Press emergency STOP; turn forward/reverse switch to "0"; wait for spindle to fully stop
- Unplug power cord at wall outlet
- Apply personal lock+tag at plug if service >5 minutes (per CSA Z460-20 cl. 4.3.5)
Post-Use
- Retract cutter clear of workpiece; press emergency STOP and wait for spindle to fully stop
- Set forward/reverse switch to "0"; unplug power cord at wall outlet
- Clear chips using brush (NEVER bare hands); inspect T-slots and ways for chip impaction
- Wipe spindle, table, and ways with light machine oil; verify lubrication schedule current
- Lock quill, head, and travel lock handles in safe storage position
- Return cutting tools, drawbar wrenches (8mm + 17mm), clamps, and vise to designated storage
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On the next page you will confirm you have:
- Read this entire SOP
- Received instructor demonstration of the procedure
- Demonstrated competent operation to the trainer
- Understood the prohibitions and the emergency stop
- Had the opportunity to ask questions
If you are unsure about any step or any control on this machine, stop and ask the instructor before you sign off.
Sign off on the King KC-20VS-2 Mill/Drill