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Drill Press Clamp/vise Suggestions

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by FinoCJ, Aug 6, 2019.

  1. Aug 6, 2019
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    Begun using my drill press more, but I need to improve my method for holding and clamping work to the base...anyone have a suggestion for good but price conscious vise and clamps? Fwiw...its an older delta 12" press on its on stand. The base plate is about 9"x9"
     
  2. Aug 7, 2019
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    I'm a Wilton fan, but they are not cheap... nor do I have the one I want as I couldn't find it when I needed it and have a Craftsman. I highly recommend one with both X and Y movement (Cross Slide) as it makes it easy to clamp, align and drill.

    Here is a place I start looking for stuff like that 10 Best Drill Press Vises – Reviews & Buying Guide The number 8 does not look bad.
     
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  3. Aug 7, 2019
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    I have a chinese x/y clamp. Its fine, but to do better work I put the work in my bridgeport. Most of the time I just hold the work. Sometimes this is a stupid idea and when the bit caches and almost tears off my left thumb... don't be like me. Do it like Chuck.
     
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  4. Aug 12, 2019
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    What don’t like the propeller effect? Chicken. Seriously get a good vise.
     
  5. Aug 18, 2019
    jonah

    jonah Member

    Huntington Beach, CA
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    I like this type of vise:

    Cardinal Speed Vise Quick Action Design

    I usually leave it loose to slide around for positioning if I am drilling small holes (under a 1/2"). The weight of the vise keeps it steady. Sometimes I will clamp it down if I am making big holes.

    Or I often clamp a bar to the table to act as a stop to keep the part from spinning. This is faster but it is obviously safest to have the part in a vise and the vise bolted down.
     
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  6. Aug 18, 2019
    jonah

    jonah Member

    Huntington Beach, CA
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    Thean and FinoCJ like this.
  7. Aug 18, 2019
    3b a runnin

    3b a runnin Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    virginia
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  8. Aug 18, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    I just try to grab the spinning metal with my bare hands.
     
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  9. Aug 18, 2019
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    while the 250LB drill press is skittering across the floor with a hunk of 1/2 thick steel stuck in a drill bit.... I swear i have never done that a dozen times..
     
    Last edited: Aug 19, 2019
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  10. Aug 27, 2019
    Thean

    Thean Member

    HSB Idaho
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    Depending on drill press, you could use a cheap mill hold down set. Can find them for $60 +/-
     
  11. Aug 27, 2019
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    Unless it's something big.....where you need assistance to keep on the table no need to clamp it to the table......as heavy Items drill quite nicely with minimal holding force...........a nice drill press vise to hold your part and then your hand holding the vise will in most cases offer more than enough resistance to keep any part being drilled from doing anything stupid.............

    a sharp drill, the correct speed , feed and lubrication go a long way in keeping the vise and part from turning into a rotating mass. Plenty of "plane jane" vises on E-bay..........

    Although I would pick one that has a vertical and horizontal "V" grove cut in the vise jaws for holding round stock that you may need to drill.
     
  12. Sep 1, 2019
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    James - this is what I use in the shop for my press.
     
  13. Sep 3, 2019
    teletech

    teletech Member

    Santa Cruz, CA
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    Aug 20, 2016
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    While it's good to have a vise, getting a 1/2" thick plate and drilling/tapping 1/2-NC holes every couple inches in a pattern and then going out and buying a cheap milling clamp block set will give you a lot of flexibility for very little cost.
     
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