Safety Overview

We take safety very seriously at Bantam Tools, which is why our Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine comes fully enclosed with a safety interlock loading door, safety windows, and an E-stop button. If you use the machine as it is designed you will ensure your safety. Please review the following precautions carefully before operating the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine. If you have any questions about the safe handling or operation of your Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine, please email us at support@bantamtools.com.

Modification

Do not modify or repair your CNC machine. If you do so, it's at your own risk. Doing so may result in abnormal operation that can cause injury to you, colleagues, or damage the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine. Making modifications or unsupported repairs will void our warranty policy. If your Desktop CNC Milling Machine needs to be repaired, reach out to our support team and we will work with you to get you back up and running as quickly as possible.

Work Area Safety

• Make sure to use your mill on a dry, flat, and stable surface.
• Work in a clean and well-lit area.
• Keep a vacuum nearby for chip cleanup.

Personal Safety

• Always wear protective eyewear when operating or in proximity to the CNC machine. We also recommend wearing protective eyewear when cleaning the machine.
• Hearing protection is advised if you'll be in proximity to the CNC machine while it's milling.
• Do not allow children to operate without close adult supervision.
• Do not leave the CNC machine unattended while in use.
• Prior to operation, make sure the collet and tool are secure and remove the wrenches and other tools from inside the CNC machine.
• Do not use the CNC machine if the safety door and/or windows are cracked.
• Do not mill materials that are not supported. 

Sharp Element

Do not touch the sharp tips of end mills, even when the milling machine is not in operation, as they may cause injury. 

Pinch Hazard

Do not touch or place hands near moving parts—such as the carriages, rails, frame, spindle, and pulleys—while the milling machine is in operation.

Rotating Parts

When using the CNC machine, tie back long hair and avoid clothing or jewelry that may get caught.

Unplug When Not in Use

Disconnect the main power plug from the outlet and store the milling machine when not in use.

Electrical Safety

• Make sure to turn off the CNC machine before unplugging or plugging back in. Do not unplug by pulling on the power cord.
• Do not use the CNC machine if the power cord is damaged.
• Do not use the CNC machine with a power supply other than the one that came with the CNC machine.
• Do not abuse the power cord. Do not twist, bend, scrape, pull, pinch, or put a heavy object on it. Keep the cord away from heat, sharp edges, and oil.

Electrocution

Only use the power cord supplied with the milling machine. To do otherwise may result in electrocution or fire.

Connect an Earth Terminal to the Ground

Always plug the CNC machine into a grounded outlet that matches the plug. Do not modify the power cord or plug in any way.

Do Not Spray with Liquid

• Make sure the CNC machine stays dry.
• While the Desktop CNC Milling Machine is portable, we don’t recommend machining outside in rainy or wet conditions.
• Do not use cutting fluid, coolant, or liquid lubrication on the CNC machine.

Machine & Tool Safety

• As with any power tool, do not use the CNC machine if you are tired, distracted, or otherwise impaired.
• Do not operate the CNC machine with damaged or dull end mills.
• Do not operate the CNC machine if your material is not securely fixed to the machine bed.
• Use the milling machine’s Emergency Stop button to immediately stop the machine when necessary.

Hot Surface: Do Not Touch

Do not touch moving parts on the spindle house assembly after use. They may be hot. 

Dust Inhalation & Explosion Hazard

• Ensure that the CNC machine is clear of debris before and after operation. 
• Use a brush to clean metal debris, as vacuuming metal shavings could cause a fire in the vacuum cleaner.
• A vacuum may be used to clean other material debris. 

Pausing & Stopping Your Job

 There are two ways to halt your job, once you start milling with the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine: 

• The E-stop button
• Pause or stop your job in the Bantam Tools Milling Machine Software

Stopping Your Job Using the E-stop Button

The E-stop button is located on the bottom left side of the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine’s enclosure. To engage the E-stop button, you just have to press it in. The machine will remain on, but the spindle will still and the machine’s X, Y, and Z carriages will stop moving. This safety feature is great to use if you see something dangerous is happening with the machine. Some examples of this may include:

• An end mill breaking
• The tool collides with the machining bed or fixturing accessories you’ve installed with the machine
• You notice your piece of stock is shifting or lifting up off the machining bed as you mill your part.

To disengage the E-stop button, twist the button clockwise, but do not pull it outward. When you disengage the E-stop button you will hear the start-up beep and the LED light will come back on. The machine will not resume milling when you disengage the E-stop. Before you resume your job, it’s important to assess and solve the issue you were experiencing. 

Complete the following steps before resuming your job: 

1. Turn the mill off
2. Identify the problem you were seeing
3. Solve the issue you were experiencing
4. Turn the mill on and run through the homing process
5. Make adjustments to your setup in the machine as needed
6. Make adjustments to your setup in the Bantam Tools software as needed
7. Install and relocate a tool

When you’re ready, start your job. Because you stopped the job, the machine will start at the very beginning of the programmed job.

Pausing & Stopping a Job in the Bantam Tools Software

Alternatively, you can pause or stop your job in the Bantam Tools Milling Machine Software. When you hit Mill Single file or Mill All in the Summary/Run Job tab a pop-up window will appear that allows you to see how much time is left in your. This pop-up window is also where you can pause and resume your job, or stop it all together. 

If you need to step away from your job for a moment or you need to inspect the job at any point in time, press the Pause Job button. The spindle will pause and the carriages will stop moving.

When you’re ready to pick back up with your job, press the Resume Job button. The Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine will start machining the job where it left off. 

Alternatively, if you’re experiencing issues, you can stop your job by pressing the Stop Job button. The Stop Job button is similar to the E-stop button in that you will need to start your job from the beginning. But, depending on the issue you’re experiencing, you may not need to power cycle the machine and run through the homing routine, again. 

If you’re having trouble please reach out to our support team at support@bantamtools.com. 

For more information about keeping your machine working optimally, see our General Cleaning & Maintenance and Cleaning & Maintenance for CNC Woodworking support guides.