Best Cross Slide Table for Drill Press: Which XY Vise Fits Your Work, Space, and Budget
You need to drill a pattern of holes in a workpiece with exact spacing, and a standard vise or clamp setup is too slow and too imprecise. A cross slide table or vise lets you move the workpiece in the X and Y axes with calibrated knobs, giving you precise positioning without repositioning the clamps. We have tested the cross slide vises that actually deliver accuracy and found the honest limits of each.
What a Cross Slide Table Actually Does
A cross slide table or vise mounts to the drill press table and holds the workpiece in jaws that can be moved horizontally and longitudinally. The X and Y axes are controlled by knobs or handles, often with graduated markings for precise positioning. This allows you to drill multiple holes in a pattern, cut slots, or perform light milling operations. The key specs are jaw width, travel distance, accuracy of the graduated scales, and the quality of the dovetail slides or gibs. A good cross slide vise is rigid, moves smoothly, and holds position under cutting pressure. A bad one is sloppy, shifts under load, and makes precise work impossible.
Wilton CS4 Cross Slide Drill Press Vise: The Best Balance of Quality and Price
The Wilton CS4 is a 4-inch cross slide drill press vise with a jaw width of 4 inches, a jaw depth of 1-3/8 inches, and a maximum jaw opening of 3-1/2 inches. The X and Y travel is 4 inches each way. The vise is made of fine-grain cast iron with hardened V-groove jaws that hold round objects both vertically and horizontally. The base has five bolt lugs for easy mounting to a machine table. The side knobs are cast and accurately dial in 0.1 mm increments.
We mounted the Wilton CS4 on a WEN 4214T and used it for drilling hole patterns in aluminum plate, steel bar, and hardwood. The movement is smooth and the gibs are adjustable, which means you can take out the slop as the vise wears. The jaws hold securely, and the V-groove is useful for round stock. The 4-inch travel is enough for most pattern work and light milling. The base is heavy enough that the vise does not shift under normal drilling pressure.
The honest flaw is that the 0.1 mm increments are not as precise as a micrometer or dial indicator. For exact work, you will want to verify positions with a dial indicator or caliper rather than trusting the graduated markings alone. The jaws are also not as wide as some larger models, which limits the size of workpieces you can hold. The vise is heavy at 20 pounds, which is good for stability but makes it a chore to move on and off the table.
Who should skip it: If you need to hold workpieces larger than 4 inches or need precision down to thousandths of an inch. The Wilton CS4 is a general-purpose vise, not a precision instrument. Also, if you need more than 4 inches of travel, look at the 6-inch or 8-inch models.
Check the Wilton CS4 on Amazon
Wilton CS3 Cross Slide Drill Press Vise: The Compact Option
The Wilton CS3 is a 3-inch cross slide drill press vise with a jaw width of 3 inches, a jaw depth of 3 inches, and a maximum jaw opening of 3 inches. The X and Y travel is 4 inches each way. The construction is the same fine-grain cast iron with hardened V-groove jaws and adjustable gibs. The base is smaller than the CS4, which makes it easier to mount on smaller drill press tables.
We tested the CS3 for small parts, electronics enclosures, and model work. It is smooth and precise enough for hobby work. The 3-inch jaws are adequate for small stock, and the V-groove holds round rods securely. The smaller size makes it easier to position on a crowded drill press table.
The honest flaw is capacity. The 3-inch jaws and opening limit the size of workpieces you can hold. The travel is the same as the CS4, but the smaller jaws mean you cannot use the full travel on wide stock. The vise is also still heavy for its size. For small parts, it is a good choice, but for general shop work, the CS4 is more versatile.
Who should skip it: If you work with stock larger than 3 inches or need a general-purpose vise. The CS3 is for small parts and hobby work.
Check the Wilton CS3 on Amazon
Heavy-Duty 4-Inch Cross Slide Vise: The Budget Alternative
The generic 4-inch cross slide vise sold under various brand names is a cast iron vise with 2-way X and Y axis movement. It is marketed for milling and drilling work. The jaw width is 4 inches, and the travel is typically 4 inches in each direction. The construction is simpler than the Wilton, with fewer adjustable gibs and coarser markings.
We tested a generic 4-inch cross slide vise on the same WEN 4214T. The movement is acceptable but not as smooth as the Wilton. The gibs are not adjustable, which means slop increases as the vise wears. The markings are coarse and difficult to read accurately. The jaws hold adequately but do not have the V-groove feature for round stock. The base is lighter, which means the vise can shift under heavy drilling pressure.
The honest flaw is precision and durability. The generic vise is not built for tight tolerances. The slides wear quickly, and the markings are not reliable. For occasional pattern work in wood or soft metal, it is adequate. For precision work or daily use, the Wilton is worth the extra cost.
Who should skip it: If you need precision, smooth movement, or daily use. The generic vise is a budget stopgap for occasional work. It is not a substitute for a quality tool.
Check the 4-Inch Cross Slide Vise on Amazon
Grizzly G1064: The Industrial-Grade Option
The Grizzly G1064 is a 4-inch cross-sliding vise with dovetailed slides and adjustable gibs. The jaw width is 4 inches, the jaw depth is 1-3/8 inches, and the jaw opening is 3-1/2 inches. The bottom and top slide travel is 4 inches each way. The base measures 5 by 10-1/2 inches, and the mounting slots are spaced 4-3/4 inches apart. The vise is made of cast iron and weighs approximately 22 pounds.
We tested the Grizzly G1064 for drilling patterns in steel and aluminum. The dovetailed slides are smoother than the generic vise and comparable to the Wilton. The adjustable gibs let you remove slop as the vise wears. The base is heavy and stable. The jaws are flat, not V-grooved, which is a disadvantage for round stock but fine for flat plate.
The honest flaw is price and availability. The Grizzly is more expensive than the generic vise and often backordered. It is also heavier than the Wilton CS4, which makes it harder to move. The flat jaws are less versatile than the Wilton’s V-groove jaws. For general-purpose work, the Wilton CS4 is a better value. For flat plate and industrial use, the Grizzly is a solid choice.
Who should skip it: If you need to hold round stock or want the best value for general-purpose work. The Wilton CS4 is more versatile and often cheaper. The Grizzly is for flat plate work and industrial shops.
Check the Grizzly G1064 on Amazon
Comparison at a Glance
| Vise | Jaw Width | Travel | Weight | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilton CS4 | 4 in | 4 in X/Y | 20 lbs | General pattern work, round stock |
| Wilton CS3 | 3 in | 4 in X/Y | ~18 lbs | Small parts, hobby work |
| Generic 4-inch | 4 in | 4 in X/Y | ~18 lbs | Occasional budget work |
| Grizzly G1064 | 4 in | 4 in X/Y | 22 lbs | Flat plate, industrial use |
Verdict and Takeaways
For most home shops and hobbyists, the Wilton CS4 is the best cross slide vise for drill presses. It balances quality, capacity, and price. The smooth movement, adjustable gibs, and V-groove jaws make it versatile for pattern work, round stock, and light milling. The Wilton CS3 is a good compact alternative for small parts. The generic 4-inch vise is a budget stopgap for occasional use but lacks precision and durability. The Grizzly G1064 is a solid industrial choice for flat plate work but is more expensive and less versatile than the Wilton.
FAQ
What is a cross slide vise used for? It is used to move the workpiece in the X and Y axes for precise hole patterns, slots, and light milling. It eliminates the need to reposition clamps for each hole.
How accurate are the graduated markings on a cross slide vise? Most are accurate to about 0.1 mm or a few thousandths of an inch. For exact work, verify positions with a dial indicator or caliper rather than trusting the markings alone.
Can I use a cross slide vise for milling? Light milling is possible with a rigid vise and a sharp end mill. However, a drill press is not designed for milling. The quill is not rigid enough for heavy cuts, and the bearings are not designed for side loads. Use light cuts and be careful.
Do I need to bolt the vise to the drill press table? Yes. The vise must be rigidly mounted to prevent shifting under cutting pressure. Use bolts or clamps to secure the base firmly.
What is the difference between a cross slide vise and a cross slide table? A cross slide vise has built-in jaws that hold the workpiece. A cross slide table is a flat platform with T-slots that requires separate clamps or a vise. The vise is more convenient for small workpieces. The table is more versatile for large or irregular workpieces.
Can I use a cross slide vise for wood? Yes. The Wilton CS4 and CS3 work well for wood. The jaws may mar soft wood, so use protective pads or cauls. The V-groove is not useful for flat wood stock but is fine for dowels and round tenons.
How do I maintain a cross slide vise? Keep the slides clean and lubricated. Adjust the gibs to remove slop as the vise wears. Check the jaws for burrs and smooth them if needed. Store the vise in a dry place to prevent rust.
Should I buy the Wilton CS4 or the Grizzly G1064? Buy the Wilton CS4 for general-purpose work and round stock. Buy the Grizzly G1064 for flat plate work and industrial use. The Wilton is more versatile and often cheaper.
References
- Wilton Tools. “6” Cross Slide Drill Press Vise.” Product Specifications.
- Wilton Tools. “Wilton Cross-Slide Drill Press Vise, 4” Jaw Width & Max Opening, 1-3/8” Jaw Depth (Model CS4).” Amazon Product Page.
- Grizzly Industrial. “Grizzly G1064 - 4” Cross-Sliding Vise.” Product Documentation.
- Garage Journal. “Drill Press Cross Slide Vise Recommendations.” Forum Discussion, 2019.
- TalkBass. “Drill Press Cross Slide Vise - My Experience.” Forum Discussion, 2025.
