vise advice.

[JohnnyMayhem]

I'm trying to find a decent cross-vise that's not going to break the bank. I checked out the one over at Harbor freight but that had so much side to side play (in all directions) it made me not even want one at all. (but I need one)

any suggestions?

 

[LARRYZ10]

Johhny, I just looked at about thirty cross vises for drill presses on the Amazon site in all price ranges. I use an inexpensive Irwin brand vise from Home depot which was a bargain and works well enough for my knife making work. You should look online to see what kinds and what features are important and then check out some stores that sell hardware so you can handle them and work them . Then maybe you can spot a good deal online and have some fun shopping. I would try to buy a used one. I always look for good used equipment because the vises don't wear out very soon and paying new retail for an item like that cost money that could be spent on other tools. I little searching and you will find the right balance of cost and quality. I beat on mine so I would never buy a new shiny one unless the price was reduced substantially. Good luck. Larry P.S. I also saw some on Ebay that had decent prices and even a couple with free shipping! LL

 

[Lu1967]

Grizzly tools are ok.Bear in mind you have to tighten
the gibs once your work is in position. (the two wing nuts below the slide handles)

 

[i4Marc]

^^^^Yup, I have a Grizzly XY table mounted to my drill press. As soon as I tun on the drill press the XY table starts to drift.

 

[lastbrunneng]

My XY vise came from Northern and was the same way. I spent quite a bit of time cleaning up the ways and gibs but the benefit was marginal, they're just loosely made. Larry's right, keep looking and be ready to buy when the right one comes available.