Sometimes you need a drill press that can do the tough or uncommon jobs that others can’t do. Grinding, reaming, tapping and drilling can all be performed with a single tool if you get the right one. Of course, when you choose multifunctional tools, you often end up with something that only manages to do one thing very well or simply sacrifices quality across the board to fit all the features and functions in at a decent price. To be able and complete many different tasks effectively with the same drill, you’ll be needing a good drill press vise, so that the surface you are performing the work on is held properly in place, no matter how awkward the holding angle is, or how tough of a task you are performing.
That’s why we would like to show you some of the best drill press vises for use in a variety of tasks, and then you can make the choice of which vise you think will work best for you.
What to Consider Before You Buy a Drill Press Vise
Before rushing to buy any vise on the market, we think there are a few tips you should know about choosing the most suitable vise:
- The Table of the drill- You need to have a place to set up a drill press vise before you buy one. You need a sturdy, stable table that can handle some heavy loads on it, and you may need to add some additional materials to the table to make your vise secure, such as a piece of wood you bolt it into.
- Safety Concerns– The drill vise you use needs to be able to hold up to some tough working conditions. If you are using the vise on a construction site or somewhere that it needs to be used often and will be used for some rigorous work, then you want a vise that is high quality and that is designed to last. Pay attention to safety information, warranty details and other aspects that relate to safety to keep yourself or your workers from suffering injury.
- The Right Size- The drill vise needs to be large enough to hold the pieces you are working on. If the pieces are not secured properly in the vise, then they can twist unexpectedly or be thrown from the vise, injuring someone,
- The Right Materials- Not all drill press vises are designed to accommodate metal or wood or whatever other material you need to work with. Be sure to read the product details on any vise you are considering, since you want something that is designed for what you are going to work with.
- Price– One of the most important factors to consider is cost. You may be working with a budget, but you still need to try to find a drill press vise that is of decent quality, that won’t cause safety problems and won’t break down too quickly. You’ll probably need to look at a range of products before you settle for one that’s a good fit for your budget.
Product Reviews
Now that you know what to look for and how to pick the most suitable drill press vise, let’s take a look at some of the best ones on the market today:
Wilton 11694 4-Inch Cross Slide Drill Press Vise
View On AmazonIf you need to perform heavy-duty work with a tool that is designed to last, then this a good pick for you. It retails for just over $100, and that’s not a bad price considering all it is able to do and how long it should last you. You can use the side knobs to change the diameter by as little as .1mm at a time. That allows for some incredible accuracy and a very tight fit that is safe and makes your work go much smoother than it would with a lower quality vise. All the parts that can be made from metal are, ensuring that your vise can put up with some abuse over the years and still keep on working just fine. It’s a sturdy tool, and one that makes a good addition to any machine shop or construction site. Just know that when you get this vise, it probably won’t work perfectly as soon as you set it up. Most customers find that they have to make some small adjustments to it before they have it working like it should be.
Pros
- Incredibly durable.
- Priced affordably for what it offers.
- Allows for very precise work.
Cons
- Will need some adjustment to work smoothly.
IRWIN Drill Press Vise, 4″, 226340
View On AmazonThis portable vise is lightweight yet durable, and it manages to be pretty sturdy despite its lightness. It’s not as heavy duty as your average vise, but it is far cheaper. At around $20, it is the most affordably priced vise that’s of decent quality for its price range. The jaw capacity is 4.5 inches. So, it can handle a range of materials, but you will be needing a bigger vise for bigger jobs. The majority of the drill vise is made from cast iron, so you know it is going to hold up. Still, its light weight means that it can’t handle some of the heavier stuff you may want to work with. You can install this product quickly and easily, thanks to a slotted base. It also comes with textured grips that hold on tight to whatever is in its grasp. This is a decent vise, but don’t expect exceptional or heavy-duty performance from it.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable.
- Easy to use.
- Very affordable.
Cons
- Not very tough.
- Can only handle light work.
WEN 423DPV 3″ Drill Press Vise
View On AmazonThis is another lightweight, portable drill that retails for a very low price. It’s about half the price of the last one we reviewed, and you’re getting what you pay for here. Don’t expect this to last very long or to do any heavy-duty work. It is reasonably sturdy and is suitable for lightweight work. It’s built for convenience and not to be a one-in-all tool for your vise needs. It is made from cast iron as well, and its jaws open to just over 3 inches. As you can imagine, you are very limited by what you can put in this vise and expect it to be able to hold securely for you, so just keep that in mind as you consider your options.
Pros
- Very cheap.
- Portable.
- Very light.
Cons
- Limited usage.
Goplus GP-101040148 4″ Cross Slide Drill Press Vise
View On AmazonFor a slightly heavier duty and more expensive vise, you can look right here. This drill press vise by Goplus is made from cast steel, so it is incredibly durable. It comes with multiple mounting lugs to ensure it can attach easily to any mounting table. You can take the handles on and off for easy customization, and it can move work pieces horizontally and vertically with ease and precision. From the top to the bottom, this vise is made for convenience and designed to be something you will enjoy using. It is also a very secure vise, since the slots bolt down to give you added stability. It only weighs 10 pounds, so you can’t get super heavy-duty material in there and expect it to hold, but it is a good little vise that’s fairly portable and very user friendly.
Pros
- Long lasting.
- Stability and security options.
- Very easy to use.
Cons
- Not for very heavy-duty work.
Hiltex 55091 4″ Cross Slide Vise, Heavy Duty
View On AmazonThis vise from Hiltex comes with a 4- inch jaw and a heavy-duty design. It’s still slightly portable like most of the vises we have listed here, but it’s heavier and more durable than many of them as well. You can use the included bolts to attach your vise to a mounting table and give yourself some extra security. The axis slides easily and precisely to permit you to hold and drill however you want. It’s a fairly simple and easy to use tool, and it does a lot for you. You’ll pay around $45 for it, and it is built to last for a very long time.
Pros
- Comes with bolts for extra stability.
- Heavy duty but portable design.
Cons
- Can handle only up to 4 inches of material.
Conclusion
Now that we have shown you the very best in drill press vises, you should be better equipped to choose a suitable one for your personal workshop or on the worksite for your employees. Take your time and pick something that will fit your needs well and that can handle the material you want to work with. Don’t go cheap just because you can, as you might regret using a low quality, inexpensive vise later.