Irwin Drill Press Vise: What to Measure Before You Buy
You’ve probably landed here because you searched for the Irwin drill press vise - specifically the 226340, the 4-inch model from the blue-and-black tool aisle at Lowe’s. Here’s the honest situation: Irwin-branded drill press vises are a Lowe’s and big-box store product, not a reliably stocked Amazon item. Hunting for the Irwin 226340 on Amazon leads to third-party resellers at inflated prices, inconsistent stock, and no manufacturer warranty support.
This guide explains what the Irwin 226340 actually is, the measurements that matter before you buy any drill press vise, and three alternatives on Amazon that match or beat it.
What the Irwin Drill Press Vise Actually Is
The Irwin 226340 is a 4-inch cast-iron drill press vise with smooth parallel jaws, four mounting slots on the base, and a standard lead screw mechanism. Medium-duty - fine for wood, soft metals, and plastics.
The Irwin Record drill press vice (British spelling - the Record Tools heritage brand, acquired by Irwin) is part of the same product family.
Five Measurements to Take Before You Buy Any Drill Press Vise
- Table slot width. Standard slot widths are 1/2 inch and 5/8 inch.
- Table slot spacing. Measure center-to-center between your table’s mounting slots.
- Available vertical clearance. Distance from table surface to chuck at lowest comfortable quill position.
- Jaw opening vs workpiece width. A 4-inch vise opens to 4 inches - measure your most common workpieces.
- Throat depth. Determines how deep a workpiece can sit in the vise.
Three Alternatives to the Irwin 226340 on Amazon
PONY Drill Press Vise, 4-Inch
Compact and light - useful if you reposition the vise frequently. Jaw faces are smooth and parallel. Clamping action is clean with no perceptible slop in the lead screw.
What works well: Genuinely compact and light. Clean action for wood and soft materials.
What doesn’t: Under heavy clamping force for metalwork, the body can flex slightly. Medium-duty only.
Best fit: Hobbyists and woodworkers drilling wood, plastics, and light aluminum. Direct comparable to the Irwin 226340.
WEN DPA424 Drill Press Vise, 4-Inch
WEN Drill Press Vise, 4-Inch (DPA424)
Cast-iron 4-inch vise with four onboard mounting slots. Jaws open to 4 inches with a 1-inch throat depth.
What works well: Four mounting slots span a wide range of table slot spacings. Solid cast-iron body. One of the most stocked drill press vises on Amazon.
What doesn’t: 1-inch throat depth is on the shallow end. No jaw inserts.
Best fit: General drilling across wood, metal, and plastic.
Palmgren 9612401 Drill Press Vise, 4-Inch
PALMGREN 9612401 - Drill Press Vise, 4
Fine-grain cast iron, replaceable steel jaws, base-to-bed parallelism spec of 0.001 inch, open base center for drilling through the vise body. Lifetime guarantee.
What works well: Open base center is a genuinely useful feature. Replaceable jaws extend service life substantially. Precision tool made to a standard.
What doesn’t: Heavier and taller than the PONY or WEN. More expensive. For light woodworking, the extra investment may not be necessary.
Best fit: Regular metalworking on a drill press, precision work, anyone who wants a vise that outlasts multiple machines.
Comparison Table
| Vise | Jaw Width | Max Opening | Throat | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PONY 29058 | 4” | 4” | ~1” | Light wood/plastic |
| WEN DPA424 | 4” | 4” | 1” | General drilling |
| Palmgren 9612401 | 4” | 4” | 1.75” | Precision/metalwork |
| Irwin 226340 | 4” | 4” | ~1” | Light work (Lowe’s only) |
Safety Notes
- Never hold a workpiece freehand while drilling.
- Clear swarf and hot chips from under the vise base before repositioning.
- Wear eye protection every time.
- Check the start/stop button location before clamping a workpiece.
- Never drill toward the lead screw.
- Support long workpieces that extend past the vise.
FAQ
Is the Irwin 226340 drill press vise available on Amazon? Not reliably. Buy it at Lowe’s if you specifically want the Irwin. Otherwise the PONY, WEN, or Palmgren alternatives are better options for online purchase.
What size drill press vise do I need? Match the jaw opening to your typical workpiece width. A 4-inch vise handles the majority of hobby and light industrial work.
Do I need to bolt the vise down to the drill press table? Yes. For accurate, repeatable work, bolt the vise using the mounting slots and appropriate T-bolts. A vise resting on the table will shift when the bit breaks through.
References
- PONY product listing: amazon.com
- WEN DPA424: wenproducts.com
- Palmgren 9612401: palmgren.com
