How to Attach a Vise to a Drill Press

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Things You'll Need

  • Drill press vise

  • Drill press

  • Washers, 3/8 inch

  • Bolts, 3/8 inch

  • Nuts, 3/8 inch

  • Socket, 9/16 inch

  • Ratchet, 3/8 inch

  • Permanent marker

  • Drill bit, 9/16 inch

  • Drill motor

  • Safety glasses

  • Cutting and tapping fluid

Image Credit: drill press image by Nancy Ottenweller from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

When using a drill press, a vise can become an indispensable tool in aiding you to drill precise holes in material. The vise holds the work piece in place and allows you to keep both hands free for operating the drill press and lubricating the drill bit, if you are drilling metal or plastic. You will need to attach the vise to the table of the drill press to gain access to the vise's ability to safely hold the work piece you are drilling on the drill press.

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Step 1

Place the drill press vise on the table of the drill press.

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Step 2

Align one hole of the drill press vise with one hole located on the drill press table.

Step 3

Slide a 3/8-inch washer onto a 3/8-inch bolt and place the 3/8-inch bolt into the drill press vise hole aligned with the hole in the drill press table.

Step 4

Turn the drill press vise to align with another hole in the drill press table. Prepare another 3/8-inch bolt and place it in the aligned hole. If no holes align, skip ahead to Step 7.

Step 5

Place a 3/8-inch washer on the 3/8-inch bolt placed through the drill press vise and drill press table, on the underside of the drill press table.

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Step 6

Thread a 3/8-inch nut onto the 3/8-inch nut containing the washer underneath the drill press table and tighten the nut with the 9/16-inch socket, attached to the 3/8-inch ratchet. Repeat Step 5 and 6 for each hole that aligns between the drill press vise and the drill press table to complete the installation of the drill press vise.

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Step 7

Turn the drill press vise to align the center of the vise with the center of the chuck of the drill press.

Step 8

Mark each hole of the drill press vise on the drill press table by inserting the permanent marker into each hole and turning the marker inside of each vise hole.

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Step 9

Remove the drill press vise from the drill press table and put on your safety glasses.

Step 10

Secure the 9/16-inch drill bit into the chuck of the drill motor and coat the drill bit with cutting and tapping fluid.

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Step 11

Drill a 9/16-inch hole at each location you marked with the permanent marker in Step 8.

Step 12

Perform Steps 3 through 6 to attach the drill press vise to the table of the drill press.

Tip

When installing a drill press vise onto a micro drill press, the hardware size will be smaller than 3/8-inch. You will need to consult the drill press vise installation manual to determine the proper hardware size required to install your drill press vise.

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