Do I need a $300 cross slide drill press vise

Fish30114

Fish30114

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Jan 5, 2014
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Typically, I'm a save til I can afford the best type mentality, so that being said, I am looking at buying a cross slide vise for my drill press. I've found starting models at around $50-60 and the top line models like a Wilton run +/- $300--so my question is, for this particular piece, do I really need to wait til I can pull the trigger on a Wilton, or similar, or will a basic model do me.
 
go with the mid tier priced one, you can probably find something almost as good for half the price.
 
Why do you need a cross slide vise at all? I know many have them but, I'm just curious what tasks you want it for.

Bob
 
Bob, my main goal wood be to drill handle material accurately, say for blind tangs and such. I don't have a drill press vise at all, so I figured it would be best to go with the versatility of a cross slide.
 
I've never had a cross slide vise, never felt the need. A good simple drill press or small milling vise works fine.
 
Sorry for all the Aussie links but just making sure we're on the same page.

The cheap cross slide vices are absolute rubbish.

I have seen more mid range ones come out recently but not in person, but from the pics they look much better.

I personally have one of these with a drilling vise on top. Massive overkill, especially considering the way I drill now but I like having it.
If I can get one in Australia for $200 im sure you can find one over there for less.

Enco have one

You'd end up spending similar money to the Wilton but end up with way more versatility, and dials that are much easier to turn
 
Look for swap meets over the winter. A lot of yankees and mid-westerners escape the snow and pay their way in selling things such as antiques, machinery, agricultural implements, etc.... If you find one you are in for a goldmine of a plethora of tools, vises, and who knows what. Bring $$$$ is the best advise, you can make a killing!
 
I think your money would be better spent on a good tilting angle vise. Good meaning base and bed parallel to less than .001 and jaws perpendicular to the bed and parallel.

Bob

Edit-Something like this one from Enco

0919305-23.jpg
 
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You get what you feel is right for you but I'll just tell you this. I got an XY table for my drill press from Grizzly. I bought a lower priced model because it was what I could afford. I get my work piece all lined up on the table and clamped down. As soon as I turn on the drill press the table starts to wander. There might be a way to adjust it but the tolerances are a bit sloppy. If you can afford it, mid tier might be the place to start looking.
 
Thanks for the tips folks, Ranger Bob, I will look into vises like that, thanks.

Appreciate the feedback all.
 
Palmgren makes a 4" drill press vise that is ground on 5 sides. Mathis is about 20#. If you want something heavy and precison ground, this is the ticket.mimpicked one up when enco had a 30% off sale and it as about $110.
 
I actually have a cross slide vise and I love it. I can clamp the handle to the tang, then clamp it all down in my vise and drill out the holes without having to re-align for each hole. Mine is a cheap model, I actually dont even know where it was purchased as it was a gift for me, but probably harbor freight or something like that. It isn't accurate enough for milling (and bad for your drill press) but I use it on every knife I make.
 
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