JET Drill Press Vise: Fit, Capacity, and Setup Explained
If you own a JET drill press - or you’re planning to buy one - getting the vise selection right is worth more time than most people give it. JET does make its own DPV-series drill press vises, but they’re not always easy to find on Amazon. The good news is that vises from WEN, Yost, and Palmgren are fully compatible with JET drill press tables - the mounting slots are industry-standard, and any vise with a proper slotted base will work.
This guide covers JET’s most popular floor presses, what table slot dimensions you’re working with, and which vises on Amazon fit and perform well on them.
The JET JDP-17: The Reference Machine
JET 17-Inch Floor Drill Press, 16 Speed, 3/4 HP, 115V (Model JDP-17)
The JET JDP-17 is the most popular JET floor-standing drill press on Amazon. Table size: 14 x 19 inches (cast iron). Twin T-slot grooves run the length of the table. Four mounting slots accommodate standard T-bolts. Table tilts plus or minus 45 degrees and raises/lowers via a crank mechanism.
The T-slot grooves are standard width - compatible with the typical 3/8-inch T-bolt used by most drill press vises on the market.
JET JDP-17MF: The Earlier Version
JET 17-Inch Floor Drill Press, 16 Speed, 3/4 HP, 115/230V (Model JDP-17MF)
Older JET floor presses with the JDP-17MF designation are mechanically similar to the current JDP-17. The table slot pattern is the same standard configuration.
Vises That Work Well on JET Drill Presses
WEN Drill Press Vise, 4-Inch (DPA424) - Compact, fits the JET table without overhanging. Best for JET JDP-17 owners who primarily drill wood.
PALMGREN 9612401 - Drill Press Vise, 4-Inch - Precision ground base, V-groove for round stock, replaceable steel jaws. For metal drilling and precision work on the JET.
Yost Vises 6D Drill Press Vise, 6-Inch - The JDP-17’s 14 x 19-inch table is large enough for a 6-inch vise. Ductile cast iron, replaceable hardened jaws. For serious woodworking or metalworking.
WEN Cross Vise, 4.25-Inch with Compound Slide (CV414) - Two-axis hand wheels, 0.1 mm scale markings. Pairs especially well with the JET JDP-17’s Xacta-X laser system.
Assembly and Setup on the JET JDP-17
Initial Machine Setup:
- Attach the column to the base using the base mounting holes and hardware provided. Torque the set screws evenly.
- Slide the table onto the column and secure it with the locking handles.
- Table raising and repositioning: The JDP-17 uses a crank-operated table height adjustment. The table can rotate 360 degrees around the column before locking.
- Square the table to the spindle. Lower the quill fully, place a small machinist’s square against the drill bit, and check front-to-back and side-to-side.
- Check electrical connections. The JDP-17 runs on 115V single-phase.
- Grounding: The machine must be grounded. Do not remove the ground prong from the power plug.
Mounting the Vise:
- Confirm the machine is off, the safety key is removed, and the rotating chuck is stopped.
- Put on eye protection.
- Slide T-bolts into the T-slot grooves on either side of the table center.
- Drop the vise base over the T-bolts, aligning the base mounting slots with the bolt positions.
- Thread the nuts and tighten alternately until the vise seats flat.
- Position the vise jaws so the center of the cutting area falls over the vise jaw opening.
- Test by trying to rotate the vise by hand. If it moves, tighten further.
Chuck-Key Storage: The JET JDP-17 has built-in storage locations for the chuck key. Use them. A chuck key left in the keyed chuck when the machine starts is a serious hazard.
Comparison: Best Vises for a JET Drill Press
| Vise | Jaw Width | Type | Best Use on JET |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEN DPA424 | 4 in. | Stationary | General woodworking |
| Palmgren 9612401 | 4 in. | Stationary | Metal and precision drilling |
| Yost 6D | 6 in. | Stationary | Heavy-duty, larger workpieces |
| WEN CV414 | 4.25 in. | Cross-slide | Multi-hole, jig, repetitive work |
FAQ
Does JET make their own drill press vise? JET does produce DPV-series drill press vises, but availability on Amazon is inconsistent. Any quality vise with a slotted base from WEN, Yost, or Palmgren is fully compatible with JET table slot dimensions.
What size vise fits the JET JDP-17 table? The 14 x 19-inch table handles a 4-inch or 6-inch stationary vise comfortably.
Can I add a mortising attachment to the JET JDP-17? Yes. The JET JDP-17 accepts standard mortising attachments. The 5-inch spindle travel is one reason this machine is popular for mortising.
How do I change speeds on the JET JDP-17? Open the hinged belt and pulley cover. The 16-speed chart is printed inside. Loosen the motor tension, move the belt to the desired pulley positions, re-tension, and close the cover.
What’s a JET drill press fence, and do I need one? A drill press fence is a straight edge that clamps to the table for drilling a row of holes at a consistent distance from one edge. You can buy aftermarket fence systems or clamp a straight piece of lumber to the table slots.
References
- JET JDP-17 official specifications: jettools.com
- WEN DPA424 product page: wenproducts.com
- Yost 6D product page: amazon.com
