Getting Better Results from a Palmgren Drill Press Vise

Palmgren is one of those names that shows up the moment you get serious about workholding. The castings are honest, the jaws are replaceable, and the base and bed are machined parallel to a tight tolerance, which is exactly what you want when a hole has to come out square. But owning a good vise is only half of it. Let me share how I actually get better results from a Palmgren, and which models are worth buying.

Why people reach for Palmgren

The line runs from small 1-3/4 inch vises up through 6 inch and 8 inch castings, plus cross-slide models. What they share is the stuff that matters: fine-grain cast iron rated for real tensile strength, replaceable steel jaws, and a base and bed held parallel to about 0.001 in. That parallel bed is the quiet hero. It is why a Palmgren tends to drill straighter than a bargain vise that rocks under pressure.

Pick the size that matches the work

Bigger is not automatically better. Match jaw width and opening to the stock you drill most, and respect your clearance under the chuck.

• For small parts, the Palmgren Drill Press Vise, 3-Inch (9612301) is compact, light to reposition, and easy to mount. It is my pick for detailed hobby work where a big casting just gets in the way.
• For an everyday all-rounder, the Palmgren Drill Press Vise, 4-Inch (9612401) is the one I would put on most benches. Replaceable steel jaws, an open base center that lets chips and the drill bit clear, and that machined parallel bed. This is the honest workhorse of the range.
• For tiny, precise pieces bolted straight to the table, the Palmgren Drill Press Vise with Lugs, 1-3/4-Inch (9612153) mounts through lugs for a rock-steady hold on small stock.

If you want to position holes precisely along two axes, Palmgren’s cross-slide vises are excellent. The Palmgren Cross Vise, 3-Inch (9630303) moves the workpiece along X and Y for accurate placement, the Palmgren Cross Vise, 6-Inch (9630601) steps up capacity, and the Palmgren Cross Vise, 8-Inch is a big, deliberate positioning tool. Be honest about the trade: cross slides sit taller and add some flex, so they are for precise positioning, not for the hardest clamping.

How to get better results (the part that matters)

• Mount it flat and square. Line the base to your table slots and seat it dead flat before you bolt it. A vise that rocks ruins accuracy no matter how good the casting is.
• Use the parallel bed. Set your workpiece on parallels so the surface you drill sits level.
• Support round stock in the V. Use the jaw grooves for rod and pipe so it cannot spin.
• Keep the jaws clean. Brush swarf out of the jaws before every clamp. Grit under a jaw means a workpiece that shifts mid-cut.
• Replace worn jaws. The steel jaws are replaceable for a reason. Swap them when they round over instead of fighting a slipping grip.
• Do not overtighten. A firm, secure clamp holds. Cranking harder distorts thin stock and buys you nothing.

Finding Palmgren parts

Because the jaws and hardware are replaceable, keep your model number handy. Palmgren drill press vise parts are sold through the manufacturer and industrial suppliers, so a worn vise is usually a rebuild, not a replacement.

How Palmgren compares

If a Palmgren is not in stock in the size you need, the closest honest alternatives on Amazon are the Yost Vises 6D Heavy-Duty Drill Press Vise, 6-Inch for a heavier fixed clamp with V-grooved jaws, and the HFS 3-Inch Cross Slide Vise if you specifically want two-axis positioning at a lighter build.

My verdict

For most readers, buy the Palmgren 4-inch. It is the balance point of the line: accurate bed, replaceable jaws, open base for chip clearance, and a size that fits real benchtop work. Drop to the 3-inch or the 1-3/4 inch with lugs for small precise parts, and choose a Palmgren cross slide only when you truly need X-Y positioning. Then get your results from good technique: flat mounting, parallels, clean jaws, and a firm rather than furious clamp.

Safety notes

Bolt the vise to the table through its mounting holes for secure clamping, and never hand-hold stock near the rotating chuck. Support long workpieces, keep the point of operation clear, and wear eye protection. Know where the start/stop button is before you begin. Clear swarf and hot chips with a brush, and let the drill bit stop fully before reaching into the cutting area.

FAQ

Which Palmgren size should I start with? The 4-inch for general work. Choose the 3-inch or the 1-3/4 inch with lugs only if your parts are small.

Are Palmgren jaws really replaceable? Yes. The steel jaws are meant to be swapped when worn, which is a big reason the vises last.

What is the point of a Palmgren cross slide vise? It moves the workpiece along X and Y so you can position holes precisely without unclamping. The trade is a taller stance and a little more flex.

Can I find Palmgren drill press vise parts? Yes. Note your model number and order jaws and hardware through the manufacturer or industrial suppliers.

How do I get straighter holes from any Palmgren? Mount it flat, set the work on parallels, keep the jaws clean, and clamp firmly without distorting the stock.

References

• Palmgren Drill Press Vise 4-Inch (9612401): Check on Amazon
• Palmgren Drill Press Vise 3-Inch (9612301): Check on Amazon
• Palmgren Drill Press Vise with Lugs 1-3/4-Inch (9612153): Check on Amazon
• Palmgren Cross Vise 3-Inch (9630303): Check on Amazon
• Palmgren Cross Vise 6-Inch (9630601): Check on Amazon
• Palmgren Cross Vise 8-Inch: Check on Amazon
• Yost Vises 6D Heavy-Duty Drill Press Vise 6-Inch: Check on Amazon
• HFS 3-Inch Cross Slide Vise: Check on Amazon