Universal Drill Press

Overhead Drill PressDowel and rod drilling involves drilling holes about 1 inch in diameter 1 - 2 feet deep into concrete in order to epoxy in rebar for structural upgrades. It is usually done manually with 30-lb pneumatic rock drills and is noisy and physically exhausting work. A Universal Drilling Jig is being developed and tested at commercial construction sites in the Bay Area. The goal is to improve productivity while reducing muscle loads, vibration exposure and exposure to silica dust. The Jig has also been used at several BART construction sites for drilling holes for large anchors as well as for setting anchors.

Contractors
American Civil Constructors
Cell-crete
McCarthy
Proven Management
R M Harris
Shimmick Construciton
Webcor Builders

Overhead Drill Press

Overhead Drill PressWe designed and field-tested a new device, we call the UCSF Overhead Drill Press, to reduce arm fatigue and injuries in commercial construction workers who repeatedly drill overhead. Drilling into concrete or metal ceilings is a strenuous task that carries risks of musculoskeletal disorders, falls, vibration, and exposure to silica dust. The final design allows drilling to be done efficiently and prevents the extreme fatigue workers usually expect from overhead drilling. Building upon UCSF's design, Telpro Inc has developed a commercially available version of the overhead drill press. Follow the link below for more information.

Contractors
Advanced Technology Group (ATG)
Apollo Sheet Metal
ASD
Broadway Mechanical Contractors
Cherry City Electric
Cupertino Electric
EC Company
Fortis Construction
Interstate Mechanical Contractors
JH Kelly
Layton Construction
Oregon Electric Group
Rosendin Electric
Skanska
Southland Industries
Streimer Sheet Metal Works
Temp-Control Mechanical
Turner Construction Co.

Contractor Associations
N. Cal Mechanical Contractors Assoc.
N. Cal National Electrical Contractors Assoc.

Commercial version avialable here.

Unions
United Brotherhood of Carpenters - Local 22 & 713
Int'l Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) - Local 6, 48 & 595
United Association (UA) - Local 38, 342 & 490 Sheet Metal Workers Int'l Union - Local 16 & 104