Drill press tables and vises

[wreckwriter]

I've got a cheapie DP table, a Grizzly. It leaves a lot to be desired but the price was great so I picked it up. I also have a couple of cast iron DP vises, a 6 inch and a 4. My question is what's the best way to keep from scratching up the table surface when you need to use a vise? Do you remove the table or put something under the vise? I was thinking to trim an old mouse pad and glue it to the bottom of the vise or maybe use something like door weatherstrip but I'm also thinking getting a good bond between foam rubber and cast iron might be tricky.

How do you guys do it?

Thanks!
Tom

[JimD]

Tom,

I have a home-made wooden table on my floor standing drill press. The basic design came from Wood magazine and includes a center section that is removable/replaceable. It is made of 1/4 hardboard. I thus do not worry about what happens to it. Would it be possible to route out about a 6x6 section of the Grizzly table to make it similar?

Jim

[wreckwriter]

I suppose so but it would have to be quite large. The 6" vise is a lot bigger than 6x6. The table has a removable insert about 4x4 now.

[Tom Miller]

How about bolting the vise to a piece of ply. The ply could be oversized so you could clamp it down to the DP table.

Regards,
Tom

[wreckwriter]

How about bolting the vise to a piece of ply. The ply could be oversized so you could clamp it down to the DP table.

Regards,
Tom

That's a better idea I think. Yesterday I just sat it on a piece of cardboard as I didn't need it held securely but eventually I will need it secure.

Thanks!

[PittTrack]

I have a 4" DP vise mounted to a 3/4" piece of ply. I drilled 4 holes in the ply (2 to the left and 2 to the right of the vise) for some T bolts to come up through and then some plastic knobs on the top. I can move the vise in and out from the spindle to where i want and then lock it in place. I've never had a problem with it yet.

Also I took out the metal jaws and cut two pieces of masonite and screwed them into where the metal jaws were, works great.

HTH

[jwaterdawg]

Funny you should ask that. I actually just recently faced the same dilemna worrying about scuffing up my recently finished DP table. My solution is a slight variation on those already mentioned.

I mounted my xy vise on a piece of 3/4 ply. The ply is held down to the DP table with toggle clamps in t-track that is part of the DP table. As such, it is infinitely positionable, which is important in my infinitely small shop.

It does require that you have plenty o' t-track on the table.

[wreckwriter]

There is track, 2 rows of it. Not sure how you hook up the clamps though. Do they get mounted on a wooden block with something on the bottom to fit in the track?

[jwaterdawg]

There is track, 2 rows of it. Not sure how you hook up the clamps though. Do they get mounted on a wooden block with something on the bottom to fit in the track?

Exactly. I mout my toggle clamps with t-bolts and knobs from the rockler t-track kit with them mounted on short wooden blocks.

See thread: http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=20050

PS: I could post a picture later today if it would help explain my description of the vice mount.

[wreckwriter]

wow, your table is sweet! A pic would be great but don't go to much trouble, I think I understand.