On the hunt for xy vise

Jeremiah14 · Feb 16, 2014

Just as the title states, I'm beginning my search for a quality usa made x-y drill press vise. It will find a home on my craftsman 103.23140 dp that I'm knee deep in restoration. HF has them for ~$80, amazon has china made Wilton's for $180. But I really want to keep this all usa, so I guess I'll be looking for an old vise, what/who made these and what do I look for? I've done the google searches, which only leads me to eBay, and the only vintage vises are standard one direction vises. Has anyone published books or websites documenting these and other vintage tools??

tool_scrounge · Feb 16, 2014

You want a craftsman / Atlas XY Theta table. The are from that vintage.

Here is a photo of one:

Here is a link to the manual:
http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=2114

Outlawmws · Feb 16, 2014

The vintage ones like Tool Scrounge posted are out there. The one he showed lacks the bolt on jaws (as does mine...) but they are nice tables. Usually pretty pricey on Eprey, not sure why...

For vintage power tools the web is your friend; here at GJ and here (Amongst others..):

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=1992

Packard V8 · Feb 16, 2014

Stay away from the Chicom. You don't want one of them at any price.

I've got a nice X/Y setup, but surprisingly, I don't use it as much as I thought I would. Since I spent fifty years without one, I just learned how to use clamps or the table swing and a vise which can rotate via being bolted to the center hole.

Also, it is to be hoped you're not thinking you can use a DP to do any milling. Bad science.

An X/Y table is nice to have, but it's like a table elevating rack. None of my DPs have one, so I don't even notice a problem, just grab it and go where it needs to be. Some others think it's a deal breaker.

Your opinions and results may vary.

jack vines

Jeremiah14 · Feb 16, 2014

Thanks. I appreciate the input. The search will continue...

spongerich · Feb 16, 2014

There's an Atlas on eBay at the moment at around $200. I've seen a few sell for between $200 and $250.

454ragtop · Feb 16, 2014

Mastercraft is another US old school maker. I have one I'd sell but only have half of the vise parts.
Jim

Jeremiah14 · Feb 17, 2014

spongerich said:
There's an Atlas on eBay at the moment at around $200. I've seen a few sell for between $200 and $250.

Wow. That's cool but as of now it's up to 350. Ouch.

warweapon762 · Feb 17, 2014

Have you looked at Enco tools?

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INLMK3?PMK0NO=1479996

Not sure where these are manufactured, but I have the Interstate model and it works well. They may not be old, but they may hold you over until you find the perfect vintage one!

On the hunt for xy vise

Jeremiah14

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tool_scrounge

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Outlawmws

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Packard V8

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Jeremiah14

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spongerich

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454ragtop

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Jeremiah14

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warweapon762

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