Drill Press Vise, Homemade

by Mikhandmaker.

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Intro: Drill Press Vise, Homemade

Tired of damaging the wood with metal drill press vices, I decided to make one myself to use only with wood. It is an easy and very useful construction to hold wood pieces and rods.

Almost all the materials are remains of old projects.

In this video I show you the step by step.

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I would also apologize for my English as a non-native English speaker some terms are very difficult for me. Forward, Intractable!!

I will be happy to answer any questions.

STEP 1: Tools and Materials

Materials

Tools

STEP 2: Main Piece

For this project I set myself to use mostly recycled materials and I think I got it at 90%!!

The first thing I did was looking for a solid piece of wood and I found an old block of pine wood (150mm x 70mm x 90mm) that I had to plane and square until I got totally flat surfaces.

Later, I marked the pieces as shown in the photographs.

STEP 3: Cutting the Main Piece

Once all the pieces marked, I cut them with the help of my beloved japanese saw, turning out 3 perfectly squared pieces.

STEP 4: Joining the 3 Pieces

I used 2 rods of beech wood (230mm x 18mm) to join the 3 pieces created. Firstly, I drilled the central piece with a forstner bit of 18mm and once that piece is perforated, I used it as a template to match the holes exactly with the other 2 pieces.

STEP 5: Inserting the Nuts in the Wood

As you can see in the photographs, I marked the center of the piece and then drilled it with a bit of 10mm (Thickness of the metal threaded rod). As previously, I used the hole of this piece to mark the one of the next piece.

Then, I marked its contour with 2 nuts on both sides and with the help of a chisel I removed the wood necessary to insert the nuts which I glued with epoxy.

* Note: I used two nuts but with only one would be enough.

STEP 6: Locking System

The system used for the movement of the central piece forward (tighten) and backward (loosen) is very simple. I used 2 nylock nuts, one in front and one behind the piece, and also 2 washers at both ends.

I advice greasing the washers so that you have better slip, I had doubts if this method would work but I was very surprised by the good result it gave!!

STEP 7: Base of the Vise

Once the main part of the vise assembled, I looked for a strong and resistant wood to screw it, I used Elondo wood and then to protect the wood I used wax.

STEP 8: Screwing and the Vise Jaw

For a better resistance, I joined the parts with screws. I decided not to used glue for possible future adjustments.

For the vise jaw I used a harder wood, since it's the high-wear area. I glued a piece on both sides and once dry I drilled them in a cross way as you can see in the photographs.

Finally, I divided the piece into two equal parts, turning out the one that will be the vise jaw of our vise.

STEP 9: Handle of the Vise

I used beech wood (a piece of 80mm x 30mm x 30mm) for the handle of the vise which I drilled it with a bit of 10mm giving it an octagon shape with the help of a block plane. I glued it with epoxy glue.

STEP 10: Last Conclusions

I am very happy with the final result, both esthetic and functional, but there are two things that if I were to rebuild it I would improve:

- I would use a larger diameter threaded rod to make it faster to tighten or loosen.

- I would not put 2 nuts as a guide for the threaded rod, I only put one inside because it is enough and, furthermore, the movement of the rod is easier with a single nut.

Apart from this, I'm very happy with it and it meets my expectations of what I was looking for: a strong vise that doesn't damage the wood when tighten it.

21 Comments

dekeros 6 years ago

Really nice work! Great instructable too!

StephanP1 6 years ago

Great, to find you in the newsletter today :-)

trike road poet 6 years ago

Lovely project, and so darn useful! Thanks for posting it, I'll be building one for myself.

procter 6 years ago

You have presented a wonderful example of hand-made!

The vice (NZ spelling) is a very classy, beautiful piece that I would be very proud of, if I could craft it as well as you, and I shall. The product of your very enjoyable Instructable is mult-purpose:

(a) It is practical and useful in the workshop; and

(b) it is a beautiful ornament that I would be proud to have in my home; and

(c) It is a practical and 'gentle' tool (being wooden) that is useful in the house.

I will be making two, one for my granddaughter and one for my wife, while I will continue with the two clunky metal ones in the workshop.

A further accolade: Your video is one of the very best I have experienced. It is riveting! I watched every second of it twice, and that is a first for me who usually skips through.

Thank you, thank you, and more please. Best wishes.

Mikhandmaker. 6 years ago

Thank you very much for your support!! I'm very happy that you enjoyed the video and I hope it will be useful when you make yours for your wife and granddaughter!!

Steinzel 6 years ago

Very, Very Nice! I will be building one for use in my guitar making.

Mikhandmaker. 6 years ago

I think this will be useful as you will avoid hurting the pieces of the guitar, thank you!!!

chutneygray 6 years ago

I need a vice for my drill press. I'm going to make one of these.
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