Drill Press Vise

[bodydamage]

I need a vise for my drill press. The press is nothing special, just a larger bench top Craftsman. It needs a vise. I kind of like the cross slide style, but am not set on one. I really don't want t o spend a fortune on one. I messed around with one at HF the other night and it seemed like a pile. If a decent cross slide is too much, a regular one will suffice. I need t nuts as well. Can those be purchased locally somewhere? Thanks

 

[nine4gmc]

I have the HF model and use it all the time. It needed some adjusting and is not really good for precision work but neither is a bench top Craftsman. Mine is on a vintage bench top Craftsman.

 

[bodydamage]

It's not a mill, and I don't expect it to have precision like one. Which model vise is it?

 

[astroracer]

Here you are:
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/vises-anvils.html
3rd row down. I would suggest the 4" drill press vise and the 6" cross slide.
Mark

 

[scooternut]

Just ordered some T nuts from McmAster Carr. I was able to order to exact dimensions so they fit nice. ***** to pay more for shipping than the part, but you get what you need.

 

[zkling]

What type of work pieces are you drilling? A good center punch, center drill and flat sided drill press vise go a long ways for general work. Look for one that has a horizontal and vertical V cut in one of the jaws for round work.

 

[Davefr]

A cross slide vise for a DP is kind of overkill and a PIA IMHO. I's suggest a DP vise that you can use on all 4 sides with horizontal and vertical V slits. This is the one I use and it goes on sale at Enco.

 

[astroracer]

A cross slide vise for a DP is kind of overkill and a PIA IMHO. I's suggest a DP vise that you can use on all 4 sides with horizontal and vertical V slits. This is the one I use and it goes on sale at Enco.

A cross slide really isn't overkill on a drill press. I use mine all the time. Makes it quick and easy to drill multiple holes in a block or plate without having to tear down and reset for every hole. Less a PIA then reclamping and re-aligning the drill point IMHO.
I have both a flat DP vise and a Palmgren Milling machine vise as you recommended but I usually have the cross slide set up on the DP more then the others.
Mark

 

[zkling]

A cross slide really isn't overkill on a drill press. I use mine all the time. Makes it quick and easy to drill multiple holes in a block or plate without having to tear down and reset for every hole. Less a PIA then reclamping and re-aligning the drill point IMHO.
I have both a flat DP vise and a Palmgren Milling machine vise as you recommended but I usually have the cross slide set up on the DP more then the others.
Mark

My problem with most of the cross slide vises is that they aren't very accurate to use the dials. If I need something to be accurately laid out it goes on the mill. Ex, drilled and tapped a receiver for a guy last night. Edge finder on the mill and done. That and people seem to be itching to use them for milling operations.

 

[astroracer]

My problem with most of the cross slide vises is that they aren't very accurate to use the dials. If I need something to be accurately laid out it goes on the mill. Ex, drilled and tapped a receiver for a guy last night. Edge finder on the mill and done. That and people seem to be itching to use them for milling operations.

IF you have a mill. I do and the cross slide NEVER goes on the mill table. This is for a drill press and he will have no issues with the use of it for that purpose.
I don't use the dials on my HF cross slide. I lay everything out and centerpunch all of the holes. Then I simply rotate the handles to bring the drill point into alignment with the centerpunch. if it needs to more accurate then that the work goes on the mill.
Mark

 

[nine4gmc]

It's not a mill, and I don't expect it to have precision like one. Which model vise is it?

Look below.

Here you are:
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/vises-anvils.html
3rd row down. I would suggest the 4" drill press vise and the 6" cross slide.
Mark

I have both of these but only use the 6" cross slide, it gets 99% of things done that I need it to.

IF you have a mill. I do and the cross slide NEVER goes on the mill table. This is for a drill press and he will have no issues with the use of it for that purpose.
I don't use the dials on my HF cross slide. I lay everything out and centerpunch all of the holes. Then I simply rotate the handles to bring the drill point into alignment with the centerpunch. if it needs to more accurate then that the work goes on the mill.
Mark

This^.

 

[exmaxima1]

I don't use the dials on my HF cross slide. I lay everything out and centerpunch all of the holes. Then I simply rotate the handles to bring the drill point into alignment with the centerpunch.

If you already centerpunched the holes, then a simple vise is much quicker to use than turning knobs. The bit should find the centerpunch mark. For even better accuracy, chuck a nice rigid spotting drill in first and follow with the finish drill.

FWIW, I recommend vises that have a step in the jaws to keep the bit from eating the vise when you break thru. I really like the Cardinal Speedvises.

 

[90zcar]

Will stay tuned to this. I need a cheap one for my cheap drill press. I also seen lowes has a cheap kobalt one


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bodydamage]

That's all I want it for, to get good alignment on my center punched holes. I wont be trying to use it as a mill, cause I don't want to torch the spindle or bearings on my DP. I looked at the 6" one at HF that you referenced earlier. I may have to grab it with a coupon. Thanks guys.

 

[SweetD]

A cross slide vise for a DP is kind of overkill and a PIA IMHO. I's suggest a DP vise that you can use on all 4 sides with horizontal and vertical V slits. This is the one I use and it goes on sale at Enco.

I found a nice vintage Yankee (USA) drill press vise in ^this exact style several years back on c-list for like $20 and the guy even mailed it to me. There are not a lot of great vises on c-list around here typically, but there is always a decent selection of this style drill press vise, for some reason.

I find it very useful with the four-sided adjustment capability. Very simple, like me.



Dave

 

[CNGsaves]

Surprisingly, decent drill press vises on CL are not that common. Some think they are still worth $50 to $100 when you know they're as old as hills.

Palmgren searches on CL will find you DP vises, but finding bargain takes more work.

 

[PT Doc]

Palmgren makes a really nice precision going vise in 4". Could be had for about 100 during enco sales.

 

[astroracer]

If you already centerpunched the holes, then a simple vise is much quicker to use than turning knobs. The bit should find the centerpunch mark. For even better accuracy, chuck a nice rigid spotting drill in first and follow with the finish drill.QUOTE]

Not really. I like the fact that the cross slide vise (which is bolted to the table) is holding the material in case the bit grabs and spins it. Holding a vise by hand is just asking for trouble when that happens. Better to be safe then sorry in my opinion.
Mark

 

[justanengineer]

JMO but for a cheapie drill press buy whatever you think works best for you. I've got a small collection of mill vises from a lil 20 lb 3" to several 8" vises that're almost 100lbs along with all manner of clamps and other holddowns that I use occasionally. Personally for a drill press I normally either use a big C-clamp or hold the piece by hand, makes it quick and easy to adjust parts with a dead-blow and pick up punch marks. The best solution IMHO for a drill is a float-lock but thats a bit big for the typical benchtop drill's small table. You might get away with a vise-grip style clamp like shown below, dunno, been awhile since I've used a drill that small so might/not work. Personally, before buying a new screw vise I'd try ebay for clamping alternatives, and stay away from the hobby Palmgren junk, buy something good used for the same money in case you ever upgrade the drill press itself.

 

[garageshootist]

Hello all,
I recently got my hands on a wilton gear head.... and am in the same boat as bodydamage... however in my search I came across a few pictures of older wiltons with an xy table that fits directly into the 60mm knee... has anyone seen these on modern machines? Or know of a part number associated with them? Or estimated cost? The tables seem to be around 9x24 or so...

Thanks,
Matt

 

[bodydamage]

..... Personally, before buying a new screw vise I'd try ebay for clamping alternatives, and stay away from the hobby Palmgren junk, buy something good used for the same money in case you ever upgrade the drill press itself.

I use any variety of vice grips and c-clamps now and they work just fine. I've never used a press vice and thought Id like to give one a shot. What's a decent used one to look for on the bay?

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I would recommend a DP vise that you can tilt. It's a very handy option.

 

[bodydamage]

I could see how that could be useful.

 

[martin666]

Every once in awhile I'll run into a small DP vice at a flea market. just something about them, if it's still tight and not beat up real bad I can't pass one up. Never pay much for one and they always come in handy

 

[Outlawmws]

A lot depends on if you have a rotating table on the DP, or as most vintage DP's have, a relatively fixed table.

Also do you have holes for the vise or table?

My old DP had a rotating table and an old 6" mill vise. Unlock the table and column, positions the part clamped in the vise and go.

But I got a ton of use out of a simple jig I made. Its basically a fence and it clamped in the vise and it gave the part something to rest against and most of the time that was all that was needed. it was also good for drilling a series of holes easily and consistently spaced from the same edge.

With my current DP I use the "floating" vises now, as it doesn't have the rotating table.

Pics of the fixture:

 

[exmaxima1]

If you already centerpunched the holes, then a simple vise is much quicker to use than turning knobs. The bit should find the centerpunch mark. For even better accuracy, chuck a nice rigid spotting drill in first and follow with the finish drill.QUOTE]

Not really. I like the fact that the cross slide vise (which is bolted to the table) is holding the material in case the bit grabs and spins it. Holding a vise by hand is just asking for trouble when that happens. Better to be safe then sorry in my opinion.
Mark

It's a simple matter to bring the vise around to the column to keep it from spinning if the bit hangs up. Many machinists spot holes on a mill and then drill them on a drill press with a simple vise to save time. Time is money.

 

[Fretters]

Not really. I like the fact that the cross slide vise (which is bolted to the table) is holding the material in case the bit grabs and spins it. Holding a vise by hand is just asking for trouble when that happens. Better to be safe then sorry in my opinion.
Mark

Always best to err on the side of caution.

Personally though, I don't have anything bolted down on my pillar drill. It has a slot free wet table for starters, so not as straight forward to bolt down on, and I also have it setup so that the belt will slip well before there'll be any notable force to deal with if it snatches or such.

 

[Jawn]

I have found the "half a vise grip" clamp more handy than a vise...

http://www.harborfreight.com/9-inch-drill-press-locking-clamp-36221.html

Then again, I also have a mill/drill with a conventional mill vise for what would be better held that way.

 

[90zcar]

Walked out of harbor freight with this for a smudge over $10 bucks. It was on sale for 12.99 plus I had a coupon




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bodydamage]

I had some SYW points to use, so I grabbed a Yost from Sears at a decent discount plus free shipping. I think Im just going to fab up some bolts and wingnuts to bolt it down v/s buying t-slot hardware. It's weird to me that no one sells the t-slot stuff locally.

 

[90zcar]

Well I took the vise apart and just spent some time cleaning it up, using a flap wheel to clean up the should be machine parts. Also smoothed off the paint on the jaws which had burrs and all the typical garbage a 5 cents and hour Chinese employee would miss.
I also thought the handle was crappy and the river was half loose so I peened it out and welded on a nut which I need to smooth a little. Put on some loctite on all the threads and I'm pretty impressed with it



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lilredex]

Walked out of harbor freight with this for a smudge over $10 bucks. It was on sale for 12.99 plus I had a coupon




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Those angle iron table extensions are good idea for extra clamping room. Did that with my table saw for easier clamping of jigs.

What's the DORMAN reference?

 

[90zcar]

My last name...haha

Well on that cheap drill press those extensions are somewhat flimsy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lilredex]

OK....thought it may have had something to do with that other DORMAN.

 

[Davefr]

There's certainly more then one way to skin a cat, but I wouldn't have a DP vise without V slots machined in the jaws. (preferable in both horizontal and vertical axis)

 

[Maui]

I have a number of different vises that are used on drill presses. In the first attachment you can see a Yankee vise on the far right. This one can be set up with T slot nuts, which I have. A tilting vise is on the Yankee's left which is easier to see in the second attachment. A Hylo vise is on the far left, and it can be used either as a milling machine vise or a drill press vise. It is heavy. An Eron vise is right next to it. I've included some individual photos of these vises as well. If anybody has any intereste in any of them, feel free to PM me. I've got a bunch more besides these that I would be willing to part with for the right price.

Maui