Perfect Precision: The Best Machinist Cross Slide Drill Press Vises on the Market

A cross-slide vise is an adjustable vise that lets you adjust the jaws without removing the base from the work table or bed of the machine. This device consists of 2 jaws; 1 jaw moves, and the other stays locked in place.

When you need to drill or cut an object, place it between the jaws. Then the jaws need to be tightened around the object. This way, the thing will stay in place when you drill or cut.

The best machinist cross-slide drill press vise will add stability and consistency to your drilling and cutting project. This tool is ideal for tapping, reaming and grinding, etc.

Unfortunately, buying a decent drill press is not challenging, especially if you are a novice. That is why we created this guide. We did market research, consulted experts, read customer reviews, and finalized a list of 6 products.

Let’s read the following sections closely.

Quick Comparison of 6 Best Cross Slide Drill Press Vise

drill press vise	Key Specifications	More Info
Wilton 11696 Cross Slide	Jaw Width: 6-Inch Weight: 59 lbs. Material: HAWA Dimension: 9.5x14x7.25 in.	PriceDetail review
Wilton 11696 Cross Slide	Jaw Width: 4-Inch Weight: 20 lbs. Material: Steel Dimension: 7x10.5x5.75 in.	PriceDetail review
Hardware Factory Store 2 Way	Jaw Width: 4-Inch Weight: 15 lbs. Material: Metal Dimension: 10x6.5x10 in.	PriceDetail review
WEN 414CV Cross Slide	Jaw Width: 4-Inch Weight: 19.1 lbs. Material: Cast_iron Dimension: 12x12x6 in.	PriceDetail review
HFS(R) Cross Slide Vise	Jaw Width: 6-Inch Weight: 29.7 lbs. Material: Metal Dimension: 14.5x14.5x8 in.	PriceDetail review
Shop Fox D4082 Cross-Sliding	Jaw Width: 4-Inch Weight: 22 lbs. Material: Metal Dimension: 11x11x8 in.	PriceDetail review

Combination XY Drill Press Vise Reviews

We designed this review section to help you find the best-suited product. The enlisted cross-slide drill press vises are the best in their category.

1Wilton 11696 Cross Slide Drill Press Vise

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Highlighted Features:

• Horizontal and vertical placement accuracy.
• Adjustments as small as.1mm are possible with cast side knobs.
• The sturdy base and five bolt lugs make installation on a machine table a breeze.
• Fine-grain cast iron components for long-lasting use.
• V-shaped grooves in the hard jaws provide for stable gripping of spherical objects.
• Wilton’s unmatched lifetime guarantee ensures your satisfaction.
• A must-have for all machinists and do-it-yourselfers.

You want a drill press vise that ensures accurate placement, fine-tuning, and simple mounting. The Wilton CS6 Machinist Cross Slide Drill Press Vise is the only option. This vise can hold your workpiece both vertically and horizontally thanks to its 6″ jaw opening and 2″ jaw depth. The cast-side knobs of the vise allow you to precisely fine-tune your workpiece in steps of.1mm.

Five bolt lugs on the sturdy base of the vise allow for simple mounting on a machine table, and the castings are made of fine-grain cast iron for enduring sturdiness. With the support of Wilton’s industry-leading lifetime warranty, you can be sure that your investment in a high-quality tool will stand the test of time. The robust V-grooved jaws can hold round-shaped objects securely in place.

The Wilton CS6 Machinist Cross Slide Drill Press Vise is the ideal equipment for your workshop, regardless of whether you’re a pro or a DIY enthusiast. Why then wait? Place your order right away to start on the path to accurate and simple drilling.

2Wilton CS4 Cross-Slide Drill Press Vise (11694)

• Jaw Width: 4-Inch
• Material: Steel
• Weight: 20 lbs.

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Major Features

• It accurately moves the workpiece horizontally or longitudinally for accurate positioning.
• It has a durable construction, made with fine-grain cast iron.
• The screw has been coated with a black oxide that provides consistent clamping pressure.
• It is one of the best sellers online.
• The jaws are 2 inches deep, and they open up to 6 inches.
• The cast side knob travels in an increment of 1 mm.

One of the best cross slide drill press vises, equipped with four-inch wide jaws, the 11694 cross drill holds the piece securely to keep it from moving from the table and resulting in severe injuries in the workshop.

It is made of strong cast iron, and it ensures long-lasting durability for years. The vise is adjusted forward and sideways through the crank handles to ensure versatility. Its features are similar to the Wiltons’ 11696 cross-slide drill.

Specifications

• The width of the jaws is 4 inches.
• It offers a great holding capacity.
• The drill press has been designed to move the stock accurately.
• This model features v-grooved jaws that protect round-shaped objects vertically and horizontally and prevent mistakes, expensive to repair.

3Hardware Factory Store 2 Way Drill Press X-Y Compound Vise

• Jaw Width: 4-Inch
• Material: Metal
• Weight: 15 lbs.

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Major Features

• The 4-inch cross-sliding can turn the drill press into a milling machine.
• The construction includes a cast iron casing.
• The steel jaws present in it are powerful.
• It also includes cold-rolled steel screws.
• The two crank handles to adjust the front to back and left to right.
• It has been designed for woodworking and metalworking.

The metal pieces swing back and forth while work is performed on them. A press drill that keeps the materials firmly in place is crucial. The 4-inch Drill press spins crank handles, using which you can adjust the front from the back and the left from the right.

This quality prevents the material from spinning all the time and protects you from injuries. The machine also handles the wood and metal material with ease and precision. The four-inch drill can also be connected to other tools to fix the exact location of the workpiece.

Specifications

• It has a throat opening of 3.5”.
• Cross travel is 5” and 4.5”.
• The vise and cross slide has adjustable shims.
• The crank handles present in the cross slide are removable and adjustable.
• It is made of metal and is manually power sourced.

4WEN 414CV Compound Cross Slide Drill Press Vise

• Jaw Width: 4-Inch
• Material: Cast iron
• Weight: 19.1 lbs.

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Major Features

• The jaws open a maximum of 4.25”, allowing you to finish loads of metal or woodworking tasks
• Powder-coated cast-iron made cross drill press vise promises to deliver long-term service
• Jaw movement range is 5.8“ right to left and 6“ back and forth
• Extra precision is confirmed with its handwheels

The WEN 414CV 4.25” Compound Cross Drill Press Vise is manufactured to provide vital services as you want in a metalworking project. It is constructed of industrial-strength powder-coated cast iron. The device has relatively wide jaws of 4.25” X 1” and can be widened to 4.25” (max.). This tool is popular for providing the necessary support for your workpiece.

Attaching the cross drill press vise to a work table or benchtop is straightforward using the included two machine bolts, washers, and nuts. Securing this will help you to accomplish multiple incremental cutting, drilling, and other precision projects efficiently. With its 1900 lbs. of clamping power, this tool grips an object tightly in a workplace.

Using the onboard wheels, you can make minor adjustments without much of a hassle. The machine-marked scale comes with 0.1mm increments, allowing you to make fine adjustments easily. Also, you can effortlessly work with metal or wood because the jaw moves 5.8” right or left and 6” back and forth. Finally, you will love to know that it is compatible with the most available drill presses on the market due to its universal design.

5HFS(R) Cross Slide 2 Way X-Y Heavy Duty Vise

• Jaw Width: 6-Inch
• Material: Metal
• Weight: 29.7 lbs.

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Major Features

• Handles light-duty tasks efficiently and made for the price
• It can easily be mounted on a tabletop, work table, etc.
• The 6-inch width jaw opens and closes without causing any trouble
• Easy to install, suitable for beginner and inexperienced users

The HFS (R) 6-inch Cross Slide Vise Drill Press is durable cast iron that guarantees its durability. It has three mounting options. Each side has three slots, with one on end. The smallest mounting option would be 4×4-inch (Center-to-center) with approximately 1/4-inch adjustment significantx6-inch is the largest mounting spread again with about 1/4-inch adjustment. The slots can handle a 3/8-inch bolt, but I suggest using a 5/16-inch. Overall, an excellent unit for simple work.

Another worth-mentioning factor is that it is a beginner-friendly tool that allows you to do several metalworking and woodworking tasks. The powerful serrated steel jaws hold materials well and assist you in completing a drilling project conveniently. Moreover, it consists of 2 swivel crank handles that allow you to adjust the vise from left to right and back to front.

It comes with three slots on each side and one end for bolts to attach to the drill table. As a result, the installation process becomes so simple. Besides, the jaw moves within 3” – 5/8”, allowing you to handle a wide range of projects. This vice is very heavy and solid. Also, the price is fantastic, and it comes in 3, 4, 5, 6, inches.

READ MORE: 7 Best Multi-Purpose Heavy Duty Bench Vise

6Shop Fox D4082 Cross-Sliding Vise

• Jaw Width: 4-Inch
• Material: Metal
• Weight: 59 lbs.

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Major Features:

• At its X-axis, the vise moves 5.8-inch
• Pretty lightweight you won’t face a problem carrying it in different places
• This is a heavy-duty small adjustable vise
• It allows you to handle your projects quite conveniently.

The Shop Fox D4082 4-inch Cross-Sliding Vise is an ideal tool for ample use and is easy to operate. It consists of a few exceptional features to make metalworking or woodworking tasks comfortable. Moreover, the jaw is prevented from tilting in any direction due to its convenient slide bar. Once you tighten the vise tightly, it will never move, and thus, you will get a precise and accurate result according to your expectation.

In addition to this, the vise contains an adjustable gib that accepts any slack on top or bottom slides. The great thing about this cross-sliding vise is, you can use it with a wide range of drilling presses, and thus, you can get a hassle-free working mechanism. Therefore, for light-duty tasks, this cross-sliding vise offers the best result.

Powder-coated cast metallic iron is used to manufacture this device which makes it durable. As a result, it withstands the most demanding job proficiently. Moreover, the hand wheels of this cross-sliding vise are equipped with machine-marked increments, offering optimum precision technology at every task. Besides, its approximate weight is only 22 lbs., allowing you to carry it in different places without any problem.

How to Buy the Best Machinist Cross Slide Drill Press Vise

We looked at several factors when making this list. Read the following factors to buy a reliable, durable cross-slide drill press vise that will serve you a long time.

Construction

Whatever vise you select for your next project, make sure it is robust and made of premium-quality material to give you years after years of efficient service. Also, be noted that high-grade quality cross-slide drill press vises resist damage.

Steel or cast-iron-made drill vises confirm durability. Therefore, manufacturers prefer these two materials for constructing drill vises.

At the same time, make sure to check the jaw and handle material whether are made of the same material. Don’t buy a drill vise made of other materials like plastic because this will reduce the longevity of your vise.

Precision

Precision is a mandatory factor that must not be overlooked when buying the best machinist cross slide drill press vise. This factor lets you implement a successful drilling or cutting project.

Look for a drill press vise equipped with a side knob of the utmost precise calibration, such as 0.1mm. This is something crucial to get accurate work.

Jaw

The jaw width is another crucial factor. It will let you determine the object size that the drill press vise can hold. Remember, a wider jaw will allow you to hold a wider material. The vice versa is also true.

Some models are available that have specially featured jaws with grooves and textures. You can comfortably hold round-shaped or irregular-shaped objects with this type of drill press vise jaws.

Weight

Although all drill press vises do the same work, they come in different sizes. A few models of vises are larger and heavier compared to other models. Technically, you can comfortably accomplish your tasks using a larger vise. Also, due to their heavier characteristics, they are more stable. For installing a bulky drill press, you don’t need ample screws since their weight allows them to resist vibrations created by the drill press.

On the other hand, working with a lightweight drill press is a breeze for any compact space. Controlling is also easy with a lightweight model. Similarly, lightweight models can easily be transferred to different places.

However, before buying, learn your project requirement and buy accordingly.

Throat Depth

The distance between the base and the jaw’s top is known as throat depth. The depth of the throat will let you define the workpiece length that can fit in the vise. The vise will accept a longer workpiece if the throat depth is greater.

Purpose

A few drill press vises are ideal for specific tasks compared to others. So, it would be best to determine the purpose of the vise before buying one.

Some models offer precision work, while others allow you to drill unusual angles. The purpose of the vise will lead you to the best-suited model.

Ease of Use

You will find some cross-slide drill press vises assembled or pre-assembled when shipped. One thing that needs to be remembered is choosing a vise that can easily be opened and closed to save time.

A removable and adjustable handle will add convenience to the user. Undoubtedly, a comfortable and easy-to-use cross-slide drill press vise is perfect.

Additional Features

The functionality of most vises is the same. You will rarely find a difference between 2 drill press vises in terms of their roles.

However, some drill press vises are available with additional features such as tilting ability to unique angles and cross slide.

These features make them different from others. Vises with additional features will always give you additional benefits by simplifying your tasks. So, look for a vise with special features if possible.

FAQs

What is a cross slide vise?

A cross-slide drill press vise is an adjustable vise. It consists of jaws that move into different places. But, more importantly, the base will remain stable when the jaws move into places.

Can you mill with a drill press?

Converting a drill press into a mill is exceptionally effortless. But the rigidity of the mill will never be the same, and you will require a bit of hard work to convert a mill with a drill press.

How Can I Attach a Vise to Drill Press?

Following four simple steps, you can attach a vise to the drill press. It is recommended to follow the steps carefully to ensure that your object is secured in the drill press when working with it.

Find the below steps:

Step 01: Select the Table

This is a crucial step. If your work table can easily be moved, then worryless. While if you have a fixed work table, it would be better to choose a rotary table. A table with an easy-moving feature will allow you to work in any direction, and you will get much flexibility.

Step 02: Finding the Correct Position is the Key

After you decide regarding the work table, the next thing is to select a suitable place for mounting the cross slide drill press vise.

For the rotary table, install the vise just above the hole. For a fixed table, install it under the chuck.

Step 03: Attaching the Vise

Use 5 or 6 bolts to attach the vise. Before securing the nuts, position the bolts first.

Ensure well-tightening of the nuts and bolts using a wench. The provided rotations must be on opposite sides.

Step 04: Give a Trial

To ensure that the tool is perfectly performing:

1. Give a trial.
2. Grab a wood piece, and place it into the vise. The material may move slightly to pay off any mistakes in placement.
3. Drill the object to make sure everything is going as per expectation.

Final Words

If you are looking for the best machinist cross slide drill press vise, read the review and buying guide section meticulously. We believe you will be able to make an informed decision after reading this write-up.

After you select and buy the best-suited tool for your project, make sure to learn the operational process of drill press vise.

Choose your required drill press vise from the above-listed items and buy one that suits you most. You will never regret buying any of the things from the above list.