A drill press vise is a very handy mechanical tool that helps to keep metal, wood, plastic or any other material in place as you work on it using a drill.
In addition to this, the tool keeps your hands free so that you can drill more creatively and accurately, while also keeping you safe from accidentally puncturing yourself.
That said, there are different varieties and sizes of these vises in the market, and if you are looking for one, these are the best drill press vises to consider buying.
In this post:
- 10 Best Drill Press Vises – Review
- 1. Irwin Tools 226340 – Easy-to-Install Drill Press Vise
- 2. Wen 423DPV – Best Vise for the Money
- 3. Yost Tools DPV-3 – Drill Press Vise with a V-Groove Jaw
- 4. Wilton 11694 – Precision Cross Slide Vise
- 5. Delta 20-621 – Cast Iron Drill Press Vise
- 6. Wilton 11753 – Angle Drill Press Vise
- 7. Wilton 11674 – Drill Press Vise with Hardened Steel Jaws
- 8. Performance Tool W3939 – Smallest Drill Press Vise
- 9. Shop Fox D4082 – Cross Slide Vise with an Exclusive Slide Bar
- 10. Hardware Factory Store 16044 – Large Drill Press Vise
- How to Buy the Best Drill Press Vise
- Conclusion
10 Best Drill Press Vises – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Irwin Tools 226340 (Easy-to-Install) |
| |
 | 2. Wen 423DPV (Best for the Money) |
| |
 | 3. Yost Tools DPV-3 (Has V-Groove Jaw) |
| |
 | 4. Wilton 11694 (Precision Cross Slide Vise) |
| |
 | 5. Delta 20-621 (Cast Iron Construction) |
| |
 | 6. Wilton 11753 (Angled Vise) |
| |
 | 7. Wilton 11674 (With Hardened Steel Jaws) |
| |
 | 8. Performance Tool W3939 (Smallest) |
| |
 | 9. Shop Fox D4082 (Cross Slide Vise with an Exclusive Slide Bar) |
| |
 | 10. Hardware Factory Store 16044 (Large) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Irwin Tools 226340 (Easy-to-Install)
|
2. Wen 423DPV (Best for the Money)
|
3. Yost Tools DPV-3 (Has V-Groove Jaw)
|
4. Wilton 11694 (Precision Cross Slide Vise)
|
5. Delta 20-621 (Cast Iron Construction)
|
6. Wilton 11753 (Angled Vise)
|
7. Wilton 11674 (With Hardened Steel Jaws)
|
8. Performance Tool W3939 (Smallest)
|
9. Shop Fox D4082 (Cross Slide Vise with an Exclusive Slide Bar)
|
10. Hardware Factory Store 16044 (Large)
|
1. Irwin Tools 226340 – Easy-to-Install Drill Press Vise
Photo: Irwin Tools
- Jaw Width: 4 inches
- Jaw Opening: 4.5 inches
- Throat Depth: 1 inch
- Weight: 7 pounds
Starting us off is Irwin Tools’ 226340, and this one is equipped with a slotted base that makes it easy to position and install it in place before use.
Once installed, you get a 4.5-inch jaw capacity that is ideal for light-duty tasks while its textured jaws ensure a secure grip to hold the item firmly as you drill through.
The vise has a sturdy forged iron construction that is very durable and helps to provide an overall clamping pressure of 1000 pounds.
Other features include a 4-inch jaw width, 1-inch throat depth and a relatively lightweight 7-pound build that is easily portable.
However, this piece has no cross-sliding feature for precise positioning or a cradle design for angled drilling.
Pros:
- Slotted base for easy positioning and installation
- Textured jaws for tight gripping
- Sturdy and durable forged iron construction
- 1000 pounds of clamping pressure
- Easily portable
Cons:
- No cross-sliding feature
- No cradle design for angled drilling
2. Wen 423DPV – Best Vise for the Money
Photo: Wen
- Jaw Width: 3 inches
- Jaw Opening: 3.1 inches
- Throat Depth: 1 inch
- Weight: 4.1 pounds
Wen’s 423DPV has the main advantage of being very affordable, and this makes it easily accessible by many. That said, the unit is still very well-built, featuring a strong cast iron construction, with a 3.1-inch jaw opening that can grip metal, wood, plastics and more.
The vise is also fitted with 4 mounting slots for easy installation and secure fastening to a drill press table, and its base is designed to fit on most drill presses in the market for universal compatibility.
On the downside, you get no cross-sliding feature for precise positioning, but there is a cradle (tilting) design option for angled drilling, though this is much costlier.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Strong cast iron construction
- 4 mounting slots for easy installation
- Tilting design option available for angled drilling
Cons:
- No cross-sliding feature
3. Yost Tools DPV-3 – Drill Press Vise with a V-Groove Jaw
Photo: Yost Tools
- Jaw Width: 3 inches
- Jaw Opening: 3 inches
- Throat Depth: 1 inch
- Weight: 6.61 pounds
This drill press vise is characterized by vertical and horizontal V-grooves on the jaw for gripping circular stock as you punch through. However, this groove is only on the stationary jaw. The other adjustment jaw has a smooth surface, which limits the amount of grip you get.
On the bright side, the unit has an oversized main handle for additional torque so as to give a good grip.
The vise also has a precision machined base that sits perfectly flush on your drill press table while two mounting slots make it easy to install the piece.
Other features include a 3-inch max jaw opening, 1-inch throat depth and a sturdy cast iron construction with a durable powder coat finish. However, this piece has no cross-sliding feature for precise positioning.
Pros:
- Vertical and horizontal V-grooves on the stationary jaw for gripping circular stock
- Oversized main handle for additional torque
- Precision machined base for perfect fitting on the drill press table
- Two mounting slots for easy installation
- Durable powder coat finish
Cons:
- Adjusting jaw has no V groove or textured surface for grip
- No cross-sliding feature
4. Wilton 11694 – Precision Cross Slide Vise
Photo: Wilton
- Jaw Width: 4 inches
- Jaw Opening: 4 inches
- Throat Depth: 1.38 inch
- Weight: 20 pounds
Though very costly, Wilton’s 11694 is designed as a high precision cross slide vise, featuring cast side knobs that dial-in 0.1mm increments accurately on every turn.
With this, you can accurately move the workpiece horizontally or longitudinally for precise positioning.
You also get horizontal and vertical V grooves on the jaws for holding rounded objects firmly as you drill through.
Other features include durable cast iron castings, black oxide coated screw that provides consistent clamping pressure and a sturdy base with 5 bolt lugs for easy mounting.
However, the piece is quite heavy, but it carries a lot of features aboard.
Pros:
- Cast side knobs dial in 0.1mm increments for high precision
- Horizontal and vertical V grooves for holding round objects firmly
- Durable cast iron castings
- 5 bolt lugs for easy mounting
Cons:
- Heavy
- Expensive
5. Delta 20-621 – Cast Iron Drill Press Vise
Photo: Delta
- Jaw Width: 4 inches
- Jaw Opening: 4 inches
- Throat Depth: 0.75 inch
- Weight: 8 pounds
Delta’s 20-621 is built using cast iron and this makes it very strong and durable, and it is equipped with large capacity jaws that hold pieces that are up to 4 inches wide.
These jaws have textured surfaces that help to increase grip even on rounded objects. However, you only get a 0.75-inch throat depth, which is quite shallow.
More features include 4 wide mounting slots for easy installation and recommended usage on wood or metal items. On the downside, you get no cross-slide feature for precise drilling.
Pros:
- Strong and durable cast iron construction
- Large capacity jaws with a 4-inch opening
- Textured jaws for good grip
- 4 mounting slots for easy installation
Cons:
- Shallow throat depth
- No cross-slide feature
6. Wilton 11753 – Angle Drill Press Vise
Photo: Wilton
- Jaw Width: 3 inches
- Jaw Opening: 3 inches
- Throat Depth: 1.13 inch
- Weight: 12 pounds
Wilton’s 11753 is quite unique because it has an angled cradle-style design, making it ideal for tapping, reaming or drilling that requires an angled setup.
This design consists of a 90˚ vertical indexing that is scaled in 1˚ increments. It also has a side tommy bar that allows for secure locking at any increment in the 0-90˚ range so that you can firmly position your item for angled drilling.
Additionally, you get pin hard stops at the common 0˚, 15˚, 30˚, 45˚, 60˚, 75˚ and 90˚ for the regular applications, making it easy to use.
Other features include a black oxide coated screw for providing consistent clamping pressure, durable fine grain cast iron castings and four 0.5-inch shoulder mounting slots for easy positioning and installation.
However, you get no cross-slide feature for precise positioning.
Pros:
- 90˚ vertical indexing with 1˚ scaled increments for angled drilling
- Side tommy bar for secure locking in the 0-90˚ range
- Pin hard stops at 15˚ increments for common drilling applications
- The black oxide coated screw provides consistent clamping pressure
- 4 mounting slots for easy positioning
Cons:
- No cross-slide feature for precise positioning
7. Wilton 11674 – Drill Press Vise with Hardened Steel Jaws
Photo: Wilton
- Jaw Width: 4 inches
- Jaw Opening: 4 inches
- Throat Depth: 1.5 inch
- Weight: 9.15 pounds
Also coming from Wilton, this drill press vise model is equipped with hardened stainless-steel jaws that do not crumble even under immense pressure. This strength is further enhanced by a tough and durable construction, with fine grain cast iron castings.
This industrial vise is also precision machined on the end, sides, and base for perfect fitting on your drill press table while its side grooves make it easy to mount on a machine table.
More features include a black oxide coated screw for consistent clamping pressure, an open center space for work holding through the vise, V grooves for holding dowels and it is precision ground for square/parallel accuracy to within ±.0001 of an inch.
On the downside, the unit lacks a cross-sliding feature, as well as an angled cradle design for slanted drilling.
Pros:
- Hardened stainless steel jaws for durability purposes
- Durable fine grain cast iron castings
- Precision machined in the end, sides, and base for flush fitting on your drill press table
- Black oxide coated screw for consistent clamping pressure
- V grooves for holding dowels
Cons:
- Lacks a cross-sliding feature
- No angled design for slanted drilling
8. Performance Tool W3939 – Smallest Drill Press Vise
Photo: Performance Tool
- Jaw Width: 2.5 inches
- Jaw Opening: 2.5 inches
- Throat Depth: 1.17 inch
- Weight: 2.75 pounds
With a 2.5-inch jaw opening, this drill press vise is the smallest piece in this review. Even though this limits the size of the item that you can clamp in between, this small design means that it is very lightweight (only 2.75 pounds), making it easily portable.
The vise also has small jaws that measure 2.5 inches in width and these have etched surfaces that grip firmly so as to prevent slipping. However, they don’t have V grooves for tight gripping of rounded objects.
Other features include a pivoting handle with a joint at the pivot for easy turning even in tight spaces and 4 mounting slots for easy installation.
Pros:
- Small, lightweight, portable vise
- Etched jaw surface for firm gripping
- Joint pivot handle for easy turning in tight spaces
- 4 mounting slots for easy positioning
Cons:
- Small 2.5-inch jaws limit the object size that you can fit in
- No V grooves for gripping rounded objects
9. Shop Fox D4082 – Cross Slide Vise with an Exclusive Slide Bar
Photo: Shop Fox
- Jaw Width: 4 inches
- Jaw Opening: 3.75 inches
- Weight: 22 pounds
Shop Fox’s D4082 is a very heavy drill press vise (22 pounds) but it packs in a lot of features. For starters, it is a cross sliding vise that enables you to position the item precisely for drilling and has an exclusive slide bar that keeps the jaws from tilting up or sideways when fastening.
That said, you get a top and bottom slide travel of 4 inches in each, while a 3.75-inch max jaw opening lets you fit in large pieces inside for drilling.
Other features include adjustable gibs that take up any excess play on the top and bottom slides, multiple mounting slots for easy installation and large, easy-to-use handles for smooth adjustments.
However, the unit has no V grooves for firm gripping of rounded objects.
Pros:
- Cross sliding design lets you make precise linear adjustments
- The exclusive slide bar keeps the jaws from tilting up or sideways
- Adjustable gibs take up any excess play on the top and bottom slides
- Large and easy-to-use handles
Cons:
- Heavy. Not easily portable
- No V grooves for firm gripping of rounded objects
10. Hardware Factory Store 16044 – Large Drill Press Vise
Photo: Hardware Factory Store
- Jaw Width: 5 inches
- Jaw Opening: 4.5 inches
- Weight: 18 pounds
This unit from Hardware Factory Store is also a cross slide drill press vise, but it is quite large, having a 5-inch jaw width and a 4.5-inch jaw opening, which can fit in a wide plank of wood or metal piece.
That said, the unit has a strong and durable cast iron construction with strong cold-rolled steel screws that do the actual fastening or precision adjustment.
2 swivel crank handles are used to make the X-Y or front-to-back and left-to-right adjustments while a hinged vise crank handle does the fastening, and drops out of the way on tight spaces.
You also get adjustable gibs for eliminating any excess play on the top and bottom slides. However, the piece is quite heavy and it doesn’t have V grooves for firm gripping of rounded objects.
Pros:
- The cross sliding design gives precise linear adjustments
- Large 5-inch jaw width and a wide 4.5-inch jaw opening
- Sturdy cast iron construction with cold-rolled steel screws
- Adjustable gibs for eliminating any excess play
- Easy-to-use crank handles
Cons:
- Quite heavy
- No V grooves for gripping dowels
How to Buy the Best Drill Press Vise
1. Purpose
Ultimately, purpose is the main determining factor that should guide you in this selection process. For instance, if you want to drill angled holes into your wood or metal objects, then you should buy an angled drill press vise.
On the other hand, if you need to drill multiple holes with high linear precision, then you need a cross slide drill vise.
2. Jaw Capacity
Measured in inches, the vise’s jaw capacity or width is very important to consider because the object that you want to work on must fit in that space. As such, you need to know the width of the materials that you usually work on beforehand so that you get a size that fits.
3. Throat Depth
Throat depth is basically the length from the topmost edge of the jaws to the base below. This distance determines the object’s depth that can fit in.
Generally, the deeper the throat is, the better. A deep throat holds objects more stably so that you can drill more accurately.
4. Jaw Grooves and Pads
Jaw grooves are usually in a V form and are placed on the jaw’s surface horizontally and vertically. If you work on pipes or other circular objects, then jaw grooves are a must.
On the other hand, if you deal with delicate items that can be easily scratched or dented, ensure you get a vise with pads, which will provide a protective layer.
5. Construction
Most drill press vises are built using cast iron or forged iron. Whichever the case, ensure that the unit is strong enough to withstand the immense compression pressure, as well as rough handling in the application area.
6. Extra Features
Just like accessories, extra features are an additional plus. For instance, a cross-sliding feature lets you make precise linear adjustments for accurate drilling.
An angle-adjustable design is also very desirable because it allows you to drill slanted holes. Another desirable feature to have is a multi-way base, which gives flexible mounting options, allowing you to place the vise in a normal, upright or side position on the drill press table.
7. Weight
There are two ways to look at the weight factor. First, if the vise is heavy, there will be no need to tie it to the table because its weight will provide the required stability. A smaller unit will have to be bolted firmly for stability.
Second, a lightweight vise is easily portable unlike a heavy one, which is recommended to be mounted in a fixed position.
Even though selection should be based on personal preference, a lightweight unit has a slight advantage over the heavy one because portability is key. You will be able to use the piece in different locations quite easily.
Conclusion
As you can see, drill press vises come in different designs and sizes, and all these have different features that suit different drilling purposes.
Therefore, if you are looking for such a product, after reading through, you should be in a good position to pick the best drill press vise that suits your drilling needs.