Wilton Drill Press Vises

Name: Wilton — 4” Drill Press Vise with Stationary Base
Brand: Wilton
SKU: WL9-69997
Price: 60.49 USD
Availability: InStock

Collection: Wilton Drill Press Vises

About Wilton Drill Press Vises at Pittsburgh Spray Equipment

Drill press vises are essential workholding tools for machinists, tool and die makers, and manufacturing professionals who need precision, repeatability, and safety when drilling, tapping, or milling. Whether you're running a small job shop or a production floor, the right vise keeps your workpiece secure and your hands clear of rotating tools. Wilton drill press vises have been an industry standard for over a century, engineered to deliver rock-solid clamping force and repeatable accuracy across thousands of setups.

At Pittsburgh Spray Equipment, we've been serving industrial customers across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and beyond for 60 years. While we're known for spray equipment and application systems, our commitment to one-stop industrial sourcing means we stock quality workholding solutions—including a full range of Wilton drill press vises in multiple jaw widths and configurations. Our customers appreciate the convenience of sourcing their vises alongside other production equipment without making multiple phone calls. We offer fast shipping, knowledgeable technical support, and competitive pricing on both standard and specialty models. If you need a vise for small precision work or heavy production runs, we have the inventory and expertise to get you set up right.

How to Choose the Right Drill Press Vises

Selecting the correct drill press vise depends on your workpiece size, clamping force requirements, and the type of operations you'll perform. Here are the key factors to evaluate:

Jaw Width and Opening: Jaw width determines the maximum workpiece size you can hold, while jaw opening (or stroke) defines how wide the jaws can spread. A 3-inch vise suits precision drill work on small parts, while 6-inch models handle larger components. Measure your typical workpieces and choose a vise with at least 1/4 inch more jaw opening than your largest part width to allow clearance and safe clamping.
Nut Type - Rapid vs. Continuous: Wilton offers both rapid-nut and continuous-nut designs. Rapid-nut vises have a quick-opening mechanism that lets you open and close the jaws with fewer turns, boosting productivity for high-volume work. Continuous-nut models offer traditional screw-down operation and are often preferred when maximum clamping force or fine adjustment is critical. Your workflow volume and precision needs should guide this choice.
Clamping Force and Material Holding: All Wilton drill press vises provide substantial clamping force, but heavier steel construction and larger screws deliver more force for tougher jobs. Consider the hardness and shape of your workpieces—soft aluminum requires less force than hardened steel, and thin or delicate parts need careful pressure distribution to avoid deformation.
Mounting and Machine Compatibility: Ensure the vise base fits your drill press table. Most Wilton drill press vises mount via standard slots and come with appropriate clamps or bolts. Check your machine's table dimensions and slot spacing before ordering. A vise that's undersized relative to your table may vibrate; one that's oversized can restrict part access or tool movement.
Precision and Repeatability: If you run CNC or require tight tolerances across multiple parts, choose a vise with hardened jaws and minimal runout. Wilton vises are ground and hardened to deliver repeatability within 0.001 inch or better. Cross-slide models add an extra axis of adjustment for complex workholding scenarios. Higher precision vises cost more but pay dividends in scrap reduction and cycle time consistency.

Featured Drill Press Vises

Model	Brand	Key Spec	Best For	Price
3" Cross Slide Drill Press Vise	Wilton	3" Jaw Width, Cross-Slide Design	Precision work requiring X-Y adjustment on small parts	Contact for pricing
Versatile Drill Press Vise Rapid Nut 1460	Wilton	6" Jaw Width, 6-3/4" Jaw Opening	High-volume production with quick-change requirements	Contact for pricing
Versatile Drill Press Vise Rapid Nut 1445	Wilton	4-1/2" Jaw Width, 4-3/4" Jaw Opening	Mid-size components with fast setup cycles	Contact for pricing
Versatile Drill Press Vise Cont. Nut 1360	Wilton	5-1/2" Jaw Width, 5" Jaw Opening	Precision clamping where maximum force and control matter	Contact for pricing
Versatile Drill Press Vise Cont. Nut 1335	Wilton	3" Jaw Width, 2-3/4" Jaw Opening	Precision drilling and tapping of small, delicate parts	Contact for pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a drill press vise and a machine vise?

A drill press vise is specifically designed to mount on a drill press table and hold workpieces for drilling, tapping, and light milling operations. Machine vises are a broader category that includes milling vises, bench vises, and other types. Drill press vises feature a flat base optimized for table mounting, compact profiles to avoid tool interference, and jaw designs that balance clamping force with accessibility. While some features overlap, a true drill press vise ensures safe, repeatable operation on your specific machine tool.

Should I choose a rapid-nut or continuous-nut drill press vise?

Rapid-nut vises use a quick-opening mechanism that requires fewer turns to open and close the jaws, making them ideal for high-volume production where cycle time matters. Continuous-nut vises use a traditional screw mechanism and offer finer control, greater clamping force consistency, and are often preferred for precision work where you need exact pressure. If you run the same job repeatedly and want to minimize setup time, rapid-nut is your choice. For one-off or low-volume precision work, continuous-nut delivers better control and repeatability.

What jaw width do I need for my workpieces?

Choose a vise with jaw width at least 1/4 inch greater than your largest workpiece width. A 3-inch vise handles parts up to about 2.75 inches, a 4-1/2 inch vise handles parts to roughly 4.25 inches, and a 6-inch vise works with parts up to about 5.75 inches. Also check the jaw opening (stroke) to ensure the jaws can spread wide enough to grip your widest parts comfortably. Oversizing your vise gives you flexibility for future jobs but takes up more table space.

Can a drill press vise be used on a milling machine?

Yes, many drill press vises work on milling machines because both tools have compatible table slots and similar workholding needs. However, milling machines often generate higher sideways forces, especially during face milling or slotting. A vise rated for milling use will have a more robust base and jaw assembly. If you plan to do light milling with moderate feeds and speeds, a quality drill press vise like Wilton's models will serve adequately. For heavy production milling, a dedicated milling vise is the safer choice.

How do I mount a drill press vise to my machine table?

Most Wilton drill press vises mount via T-slots using clamps or studs. Align the vise base with your table slots, insert T-bolts through the vise feet, and tighten securely with a wrench. Make sure the vise is level and parallel to the table, and that clamps don't interfere with your drill spindle or workpiece. Always test fit before final tightening. If your drill press table lacks T-slots, speak with our technical team about alternative mounting solutions - we stock a variety of adapters and clamping systems.