The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Drill Press Vise- Bolt Question

Greetings-
What are the bolts that secure a vise to the channels on a drill press table called?

It looks like something specific would be made for this- almost like a carriage bolt- but I have just been using regular & irregular bolts & washers. I takes up a lot of time to shift the vise around the way I'm doing it, so I'd appreciate if somebody'd tell me what to go look for.

Vise bolt channels

Thanks!
Brad

They're called "T-slot nuts". Most machine shop supply places sell them. They can be used either with studs, nuts and washers, or bolts and washers from the top side. They're also used on milling machines, lathe face plates, and other workpiece mounting applications. Try checking here:

www.victornet.com

http://www.victornet.com/alphabetic/T-Slot-Nuts/791.html

These kits come with nuts, studs, and clamp blocks- - -easier and more versatile than using the slots in the vise base.

http://www.victornet.com/alphabetic/Clamping-Kits/46.html

I buy most of my machine shop supplies there.
Jerry

Thanks, Jerry! That helps a bunch. I just pulled them up on the Victor Machine link you posted...

I could really hit myself for not asking sooner- they'll make position changes a LOT easier.

Brad

One item that's really handy is a Vise-Grip welding clamp with a T-slot nut built in. I've got to get a few of them soon!
Jerry

I returned a H.F. version of that tool three weeks ago- it just did not fit my table's 5/8" - 1 1/8" T-slot without sliding out.

The idea of the open-style welding clamp tool on the drill press table is great, though. It is easy to tell how well a 'vise grip' tool is made by checking the joint the lock nut mates with. Some look like they're soldered together with pot metal, as opposed to the solid-made (term?) older Vise-Grips way before Irwin got them. The HF one was *spoiler alert* not really that well made anyway.

Brad

I'd suggest modifying a real Vise Grip brand tool by cutting off part of one side of the clamp and welding on a piece of rectangular stock the right size to fit the T slot accurately. Of course, I've always made specialty tools rather than paying outrageous amounts for work I can do myself. Most of my dedicated automatic transmission assembly/disassembly tools are home-brewed.
Jerry