drill press vise

[ChrisSarnowski]

What do you recommend for a drill press vise? I tried the one from HD and thought it was not very good.
I was trying to drill out a hole for a NVA in an engine, and wanted to square up the crankcase to the drill bit.
It's a Fox 40 and had just 1 side drilled for a set screw (R/C).

Basically the moving jaw on the vise was very wobbly and does not square up either horizontally or vertically upon closing.

Thanks,
Chris

[Dick Pacini]

Sloppy jaw fits are the norm in most cheaper vises.  A better choice is a toolmakers vise, which has precision fits and usually square to within .001.  Here are some examples:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/3-Precision-Tool-Maker-s-Vise/T10076

[Bob Reeves]

I would highly recommend getting an X-Y adjustable vise, looks like Harbor Freight calls it a cross slide vise..

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-cross-slide-vise-32997.html

The one I have came from Harbor Freight and it does just fine even though I know I paid less than the one above. In fact the one above looks like it's quite a bit better than the one I have.

That being said if you really need to drill precision holes don't do it with a drill press, the spindle run-out is probably more of a problem than whatever vise you are using.

This is what I use when I don't feel my drill press is up to the task at hand..

http://www.harborfreight.com/two-speed-variable-bench-mill-drill-machine-44991.html

[Randy Powell]

Just remember, this is an area where you really get what you pay for. There's a reason Kurt vices are expensive.

[Bob Reeves]

Just remember, this is an area where you really get what you pay for. There's a reason Kurt vices are expensive.

Agree but at least on my more or less fixed income kinda hard to justify for a hobby. When Patty wins the lottery.... 

[Russell Shaffer]

Turn the cheap vice over and put a washer on the adjusting nut/bolt.  You will have to fiddle with the tightness to get a compromise between no wiggle and being able to move the jaws.  It's kind of a pain, but it will improve a cheap vice.

[John Fitzgerald]

I got a decent xy (cross) vise from Grainger. One of the best tool purchases I ever made.

[proparc]

Agree but at least on my more or less fixed income kinda hard to justify for a hobby. When Patty wins the lottery.... 

Your right Bob about limited incomes, but let me tell you, when it comes to tools, once the "pain" of high price is over and done with,that high quality tool gets REAL CHEAP as the years go on.

[Steven Kientz]

If you buy the best tools you can afford , then keep track of all the times you only have to do something once ,you're $$$ ahead. Thank god my wife feels the same way about tools as I do. One year I was in the market for a new router, she came home with a dual base Dewalt. No she doesn't have any sisters!

Steve

[ChrisSarnowski]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice. I will look into a better tool that this cheapo vise.

-Chris

[GGeezer]

Chris,
A good old American company called Palmgren makes some very good medium priced vises. I have several and can highly recommend them.
http://www.palmgren.com/index.php?cPath=4

The one I really like is shown in the photo.

Orv.

[Randy Powell]

Angle vices are nice. Especially for milling. I have a standard precision vice, an angle vice and a clamp set. Haven't needed anything else.

[ChrisSarnowski]

I like that angle vise, too. I will look into it.

Thanks
Chris