Cast base and fixed jaw
The rear jaw is integral with the slotted base; its four elongated mounting slots provide table-bolt positions.
Hand Tools / Woodworking Vises / Field guide
Drill-Press Vise
Hold a small workpiece against drill torque with a bolted low-profile vise, aligned jaws and a single lead screw.
4 inJaws4 inOpening
01 / Tool anatomy
See the assembled tool and its components
An original educational poster identifies 7 documented construction features. The numbered descriptions remain readable below the artwork on narrow screens.
- Slotted cast base
Supports the vise and provides four elongated drill-table mounting points.
- Integral fixed jaw
Rear jaw face is part of the base, not a detachable block.
- Movable jaw
Slides in the flat central guideway when the spindle turns.
- ACME spindle
Single threaded shaft advances or retracts the movable jaw.
- Crossbar handle
Provides controlled hand leverage for the single spindle.
- Jaw inserts
Two replaceable opposing steel faces contact the work.
- Insert screws
Four screws fasten the two inserts to their jaws.
Technical references: Wilton LP4 / 11744 official parts diagram · Wilton LP4 product. A single ACME spindle advances the moving jaw along a flat cast-base slideway toward the fixed jaw. The fixed jaw and slotted base are one casting. Two replaceable steel inserts attach to facing jaws with four screws. No extra guide rods are part of the official assembly. Original educational artwork depicts documented component groups and their relationships; it is not a service sequence or a replacement for the exact model manual.
02 / Understand the tool
What it is and what each part does
Wilton's LP4 stock 11744 is a four-inch low-profile drill-press vise with a slotted cast base, fixed rear jaw, movable jaw and a single ACME spindle with crossbar handle. Its four mounting points let the vise be secured to a drill-press table. It holds small work for boring, but a drill-press vise still needs proper bolting or clamping; hand pressure alone cannot resist snagging torque.
The cast base and fixed jaw form one structure. Turning the single ACME spindle moves the front jaw along the flat slideway toward or away from the fixed jaw. Replaceable jaw inserts fasten to opposing faces with two screws each. The official three-item parts diagram identifies a jaw-insert assembly, movable jaw with its retaining screw, and spindle-and-handle assembly; the poster shows these actual connections rather than invented guide rods.
Movable jaw and guide
A single cast jaw travels along the base's flat channel; keep bearing surfaces clean and parallel.
ACME spindle and crossbar
One central threaded spindle advances the movable jaw; the crossbar offers controlled hand torque.
Replaceable inserts
Steel inserts fasten to the opposing jaw faces; inspect both surfaces and screws before clamping wood.
01 / Working relationship
How the main groups connect
02 / Working setup
Secure the base before the bit turns
02 / Working principle
Set, guide and control the action
These decisions make the mechanism useful at the bench.
Bolt the base
Use suitable table slots or a compatible clamp arrangement that prevents the vise from rotating under drilling torque.
Seat the work
Place flat stock low between parallel jaws; use sacrificial pads when marks matter and support long pieces separately.
Check the bit path
Turn the drill by hand to confirm the bit clears jaws, base and mounting hardware before power.
Bore repeatable holes
Use a table stop and securely clamped work for a small run of identical parts.
Drill small blocks
Keep fingers out of the bit area while the vise restrains a piece too small to hold safely by hand.
Support an odd shape
Use a purpose-made V-block or jaw pads where the shape permits safe bearing and clamping.
03 / At the bench
Setup, technique and finish quality
Use the steps for a first pass, then inspect the work before changing the setup.
- Confirm table mounting and vise opening before lifting the vise onto the drill press.
- Bolt or otherwise positively secure the base in the table slots.
- Clean the slideway and insert faces; position a backer board if breakthrough is expected.
- Seat and clamp the work low, without exceeding needed hand pressure.
- With power off, lower the bit to verify path and jaw/base clearance.
- Set speed for the bit and material, drill in controlled passes, then wait for stop before releasing work.
One lead screw drives the jaw
The model uses a central screw and flat slideway; extra parallel guide rods are not part of its documented construction.
Mounting slots resist torque
An unsecured vise can spin with the drill; positive mounting is part of the setup.
The fixed jaw is not detachable
It is part of the base in the official drawing; only the documented jaw inserts and moving assembly separate in the study.
What changes by model or material
Size the vise for the stock, while leaving clearance for the drill and table.
A shorter vise preserves drill-press quill travel compared with taller machine vises.
Soft pads protect wood but can change grip and opening; use them only with stable contact.
Choosing the tool
- Match the table's bolt-slot geometry and the vise's four mounting slots.
- Check jaw parallelism, spindle action and clearance beneath the drill bit.
- Choose an opening adequate for stock plus backer and protective pads.
Useful accessories
- T-slot or through-table mounting bolts
- Sacrificial jaw pads
- Backer board
- V-block for suitable round stock
Consumables
- Replacement jaw inserts and screws if damaged
04 / Keep control
Care, troubleshooting and safety
Secure the work, protect sharp edges and release any stored clamping pressure before adjustment or maintenance.
Care checklist
- Brush chips out of the flat slideway after drilling.
- Wipe the spindle and maintain it as the manufacturer directs.
- Inspect jaw insert screws, mounting bolts and the handle before use.
- Dry the cast base after damp stock work to limit corrosion.
Common mistakes
- Leaving the vise free to rotate on the table.
- Clamping high above the jaw faces and losing stability.
- Drilling into a steel insert or mounting bolt.
- Overtightening fragile wood or using the vise as a press.
Safety at the operation
- Secure the vise before starting the drill press; never hand-hold it against torque.
- Keep hands clear of rotating bit, chuck and chips.
- Confirm the bit cannot contact the vise at full planned depth.
- Turn power off and wait for complete stop before moving the work or clearing chips.
When the result goes wrong
Remove chips from slideway and inspect a bent spindle or damaged bearing surfaces.
Inspect insert faces, work shape, clamping height and mounting security.
Check punch/center location, bit sharpness, quill play and stock support rather than simply increasing jaw force.
05 / Sources to keep learning
Manuals and educational resources
Use the exact model documentation for setup, limits and replacement parts. These lessons, documents and model pages teach relevant techniques or help compare real variations.
Manufacturer documentation
Learn and compare
06 / Manufacturer directory
Manufacturers & Brands
These maker-owned links document relevant tools and tool brands. A product brand may use another company's factory; compare the exact model before choosing parts or accessories.
Choose parts for the exact model
Handles, irons, saw plates, clamping pads and other replacements vary by maker and model. Use the maker's documentation before changing a component.
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