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Jaxom · Senior Member

Getting close to finishing my first ag project. Before I start my next project I have a side project that I would like to get done first.

To make a few of my own parts I've asked around here and the consensous was I could use my drill press as a mill if I went very slowly and not expect to get "production" out of it. Since I do have a few more projects I'd like to do that require some specialty parts I need some suggestsion on what type of mill vise I should get for my drill press.

I've done some checking around online. And I'm seeing prices that range just shy of $100 to some that run close to $1000!

For the record, I have a Ryobi DP102L 10" press. The table is 9 1/4" x 8 3/16".

Thanks,

Jax

kanyon · Silver Status Member

something like these...

The crosslide table is far better...but a vice is needed
The crosslide vice has no calabrations & is
very corse in the treads

Slavia · Moderator

I have a cheap $30.00 USD Chinese cross-slide vise that I use with the drill press. It works O.K., provided:

1. "Close enough" is good enough. It doesn't do precision, but if the plan is to get close and then hand-fit with a file, then O.K.
2. The tooling has to be sharp and new.
3. The part has to be small - you only have about 4" of travel in either axis. (The table would be better here.)
4. Everything has to be bolted down tight.
5. Clean, lubricate, and adjust the dovetail ways on the vise so they run with no play.
6. I'm not sure of the official machinist's term here, but the axis cranks have a kind of hysterisis - if you crank in one direction and then reverse, there is a little play until the threads catch and reverse. Adjust as much of that out as possible.
7. Experiment to find the right tool speed, and the feed rate will have to be a snail's pace.

The vise is cheaper and will work, but it was designed to position stock for drilling. The table was made for milling, but will be more expensive. Either could be the right choice, depending upon your situation.

Jaxom · Senior Member

Still learning...I guess I ment a cross slide table. I have two vises, a 2" one that came with my press and a 6" one that I bought later for a non ag project I'm working on.

I highly doubt that I'll be able to purchase a proper mill before I start my second ag project. (read "More on converting a discovery" in rifle forum). That either I will need to modify the barrel strap or make a completely new one that's large enough to fit the thicker .25 cal barrel.