Drill Press Work Holding Devices

Drill Press Work-Holding Devices

Work Holding

Because of the forces being created when drilling, all workpieces must be held securely. There are a number of forces being created when drilling: the downward pressure that the tool is creating while trying to bite into the workpiece, but also the forces of the workpiece trying to climb up the flutes of the drill(Figure 1). A very serious injury can occur when a drill gets caught in a workpiece and is spun around. It is of great importance that we adhere to all safety practices and make sure that all work is held securely in the proper type of work-holding device.

Figure 1 Drill
Figure 1

Drill Press Vise

Figure 2 Drill press vise

The drill press vise is by far the most common type of work-holding device used on the drill press. Modern drill press vises are capable of holding round stock, flat stock, or any other small parallel-sided parts. Most drill press vises come equipped with V shaped slots for holding round stock and stepped jaws for holding parts up off of the base of the vice (see Figure 2). This will avoid contact between the drill and the vise.

Angle Vise

Angle vises are used when an angular hole needs to be drilled into a part(Figure 3). Angle vises have an angular adjustment that allows the operator to tilt the vise.

Another method of drilling angular holes, on certain types of drill presses, is by tilting the drill press table.

Figure 3 Angle Vise

Angle Plates

Angle plates (Figure 4) are used when drilling odd-shaped parts that need to be drilled at 90 degrees to the axis of the table. An angle plate is an L-shaped piece of cast iron or steel that has tapped holes or slots to facilitate the clamping of the workpiece.

Figure 4 Angle Plates

V-Blocks

V-Blocks hold and support round work for drilling (Figure 5). V-Blocks come in many different sizes.

Figrue 5 V-Blocks
Figure 5 V-Blocks

V-blocks typically come in sets of two and have clamps for holding small, round parts. Large, round parts supported by V-Blocks are typically clamped directly to the table.

Figure 6 Small V-Blocks
Figure 6

Small V-blocks with clamps are usually held in a vise(Figure 6).

Direct Workpiece Mounting

Work that is too large or has an odd configuration is customarily bolted directly to the table (Figure 7). This method of work holding takes the most ingenuity and expertise.

There are a number of accessories that can be used to help you set up parts.

Figure 7 Direct Clamping

A variety of commercially available clamp sets can be used for directly mounting workpieces (Figure 8).

Figure 8 Clamp Kit

Parallels

Parallels are pieces of steel bar stock accurately machined so that the opposing sides are parallel to each other(Figure 9). Parallels are provided in sets of two with identical dimensions. Parallels are used to provide clearance under the work so that the drill does not damage the machine table or the vise base(see Figure 7).

Figure 9 Parallels
Figure 9

Figure 10 shows some acceptable and unacceptable clamping practices while using clamps and parallels. Study them carefully.

Figure 10 Clamping Practices

Drilling Jigs

Drill jigs are tools built exclusively to hold the workpiece. Accurately guide a tool to the proper location on the part (Figure 11). Jigs are typically found in a production atmosphere where a large quantity of the same parts need to be drilled.

Figure 11 Drill jig