Howdy.

[Analog Man]

Just a quick intro. I'm in the middle of a garage makeover, I'm reorganizing and trying to make better use of my limited space. One of my projects is to get my vises and drill press off my main work bench to free up space and keep it clean of metal shavings, etc. My bench consists of two old 6 foot Edsal steel industrial benches bolted end to end. I bought them years ago for $25 from a former employer when they were moving to a new facility and getting rid of surplus equipment. I've come up with a way to mount my vise that keeps the bench clear and allows me to quickly install and remove the vise and move it up and down the length of the bench as needed. Once it's a bit further along I'll post some details and pictures.

 

[22george]

welcome

 

[nadogail]

Welcome from Southwestern California.

Please show us how you are mounting your vises and Drill Press.

 

[Analog Man]

Welcome from Southwestern California.

Please show us how you are mounting your vises and Drill Press.

Don't have all the pieces yet and then there's some fabrication to do but I'll post pics and details when it's done. I can give you a hint though, the vise mount involves a Class III hitch receiver and DeStaCo toggle clamps. It mounts underneath the bench with the vise in front of the bench leaving the top of the bench clear. Due to the way my bench top is formed I will be able to move it almost the full length of my 12' bench by loosening the toggle clamps and sliding it to where it's needed. I'll be able to remove the vise from the mount by pulling a single pin and stow it out of the way on a ledge under the bench AND use it on the trailer hitch on my vehicle for outdoor projects. I will also be able to easily remove the mount in a few seconds by loosening the clamps, lifting the front slightly, pulling forward 3/4" inch and lowering the whole thing. Installing will just be a reversal of that process. If I get to cranking on something and the toggle clamps won't hold it there's plenty of room for a C-clamp or two.

The drill press is very simple. I'm bolting it to a 12" by 12" piece of 1/2" steel plate with a non-skid rubber pad glued to the bottom. The plate is thick enough I can drill and tap a pair of 3/8 - 16 mounting holes to secure the press. For most small jobs the weight of the plate alone should be sufficient to hold it in place. The drill base is 8" x 12" which leaves 2" of plate exposed on each side, I bought a pair of *********** C-clamps that will reach the center of the plate from the front of my steel bench for heavier jobs. I'm drilling a hole in each corner and I will predrill the top of a pair of roll around wood benches I'm building with threaded inserts underneath so I can bolt it down to the benches if I so desire. I also have a portable work table I made from an old gas grill frame that I will do the same to although the C-clamps would work on it too. The benches are being built with storage space for the drill press and my compound miter saw in the bottom. They will also have predrilled holes with threaded inserts for the saw.