cross slide drill press vice problem

[Phil705]

I have a Swamp Fox x-y cross slide vice for my drill press. When I am drilling, even at the lowest speed, the vibrations from drilling cause the left-right knob to turn at least a half turn. So the drill bit is being slightly bent, and when I retract the drill bit, the hole is then off fractionally. I have tried to tighten everything, but no good results.

Is this junk and should I look for a better one? Any recommendations?
Does anyone know of some way to tighten this baby up?

Phil705
Winthrop WA

 

[Dan Pierson]

Mill cross slides have a lock for each axis for exactly that reason.

That said, I frequently just hold the handle of the relevant axis lightly while moving
the other axis on my mini-mill.

 

[anvilring]

Their home page...

http://littlemachineshop.com/

The very "thing" u need.... but now I see that your problem is the cross vise itself

I have one of these on my Central Machinery (harbour freight) Mini-Mill. I have no idea what I'd do without it. This is, by most standards, a small vise. But: a very high quality one. My xy however is good and, came with the machine. There are "adjustment screws" along the edges of most xy cross tables. I'd tighten them all down then back off just enough for it to travel "un-locked" (not screwed down tight with that main lock lever).


The exact page.

http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=1699&category=1963256912

 

[Dan Pierson]

Yep, that looks just like the one that sitting on my mini-mill (minus wear and tear, or why I now know to lock down movements before using a carbide facing mill...).

 

[blindhogg]

IF you have the ability to tighten the gibs on your cross slide do so. It will make it tighter to move fore and aft but might prohibit the vibrations you are encountering.
Chris
PS The gibs are usually tightened via a string of allen headed bolts with a lock nut attached to them.