Just What the Doctor Ordered, 11.10.2009

Reviewer: Roy Wurth (Chula Vista, CA)

I have made several jigs to drill center holes in pen blanks and they worked so-so if I was cutting a bunch at one time. However, this device allows me to set up for one pen set, tear it down and set up later for another pen set and is dead on accurate.

Center Vise, 11.10.2009

Reviewer: jerry sodan (Graham, NC)

Excellent, I really like it and it is very functional. Makes drilling the center very easy and efficient.

The Best pen Vise, 11.5.2009

Reviewer: Alan Grupe (Rochester, WA)

I've had great results with this well made heavy vise. The pressure is applied in the center, rather than on the side as in some less expensive (cheap)vises. I learned a pen vise is not the place to try to save a buck.

Drilling vise, 10.28.2009

Reviewer: George Helfrich (Gold Hill, OR)

This is great for drilling my pen stock. It helps me keep the hole on center. All the ratings on it are true.

Pen Blank centering Vise, 10.21.2009

Reviewer: Andrew Townsend (Sparta, NJ)

Prior to buying this vise I have been using a metal vise and square to drill my blanks.. Although I got passable results, once I started to use the centering vise I was extremely happy with the results. Not only were the blanks drilled more accurately, I was able to drill considerably more blanks in the same time due to reduced set up time. I would suggest that anyone making pens should buy this vise.

Works, 9.29.2009

Reviewer: Foster Mayo (Bonners Ferry, ID)

Accurately holds pen blanks but is difficult to clamp down on drill press. I would rate this MUCH higher if it were longer or had space dedicated for clamping. Two inches on each end or on each side would be perfect. To be fair, I didn't find any other blank vise with clamping space either.

Pen Blank Drilling Center Vise, 9.29.2009

Reviewer: Kenneth Falasco (Manhattan Beach, CA)

Exceptional quality and ready to use right out of the box. I wish I had purchased this vise when I started making pens.

Huge timesaver, 9.24.2009

Reviewer: D. Berg (Temecula, CA)

This is one of the best tools in my shop. It's quick to set up and use, and it's accurate every time. I keep it clamped to my drill press so it's always ready to use. A small investment for a very durable tool.

Pen Blank Drilling Center Vise, 9.22.2009

Reviewer: David Jobes (Damascus, MD)

Ok

Helps alot, 9.15.2009

Reviewer: Allan Carter (Fullerton, CA)

The pen blank drilling center vise is a great tool to have. It works great. Puts everything right in the center.. Allan

DRILLCENT3, 9.14.2009

Reviewer: Chuck Kirk (Canyon Lake, TX)

The Drilling Center Vise is a great tool for the pen maker. However, like many great things, it can also be improved. When I first got mine, I noticed that it had a slick bottom which allowed it to slide somewhat. I improved mine by attaching two pieces of double-sided tape longitudionally on the bottom. Then I attached two pieces of non-slip rubbberized drawer insert material on the double sided tape. Now, the drill center doesn't slip around on my formica work top. I also made a second improvement to stop the handle from coming undone. I backed the attachment screw all the way out, cleaned it with mineral spirits, then put Loctite on the threads and screwed in back into the handle. Both my problems are now solved and I would encourage all users to try these improvements. All other aspects of the Drilling Center vise are great. Excellent value!

Drillcent3, 8.25.2009

Reviewer: Ken Hitzeman (Colton, SD)

It is an awesome device. I got it and have used it a few times now.. The DVD on making pens is awesome too.. getting ready for our next order real soon. Thanks

Would be lost without it, 8.18.2009

Reviewer: Alan Gallagher (San Juan Capistrano, CA)

This is a must both for safety and all around use. Very happy with this vise and use it every time for drilling out blanks and squaring them out after the brass tubes are installed.

Blank drilling vise., 8.18.2009

Reviewer: Virgil Dickson (Kankakee, IL)

I use this vise all the time, and it puts the hole dead center every time. I would recommend this item to anyone for proper pen and pencil making.

requires a non slip base, 8.16.2009

Reviewer: ed shutty (ellijay, GA)

the pen vice reuires either 1)a non slip rubber pad 2 and/or come pre drilled with two holes in the base to secure it to your drill press. It also went on sale for 10$ less immediately after i purchased it.

Pen Blank Vise, 8.16.2009

Reviewer: Guy Gagot (Sacramento, CA)

Wow, what a nifty product. It's just not for pen blanks. In the past I've had to make special jigs just to clamp down my project, but with this new vise, it only takes seconds.... and I'm ensured a sure fit. I love the versatility and the perfect addition to my drill press!

Centering Vise, 8.13.2009

Reviewer: Jim Boughman (Gastonia, NC)

Great tool for drilling accurately centered holes in blanks. I leave mine set up on one of my drill presses and it is always ready for drilling. I like the crank handle on this model better than the twist knob on other models. I have drilled centered holes in wood, acrylic, and metal with little effort using this vise.

Vise, 8.13.2009

Reviewer: Joesph Lucas (Russellville, AR)

The vise is one of the best ever designed. It would be very difficult to even try to make any pen's or pencils without it. Not only does it look great but actualy works as good as it looks. It is well worth the money. Best buy anywhere. J. Lucas

Centering Vise, 8.11.2009

Reviewer: Ryan Partridge (longview, WA)

This vise is great. It's well made. I like how you can set it up once on your table to drill in center of a blank (using a drill bit). Once set it does not matter the size of blank, it will center. I put the one side up against my fence and clamped stops on both ends. so I can still side it out towards me. This works great for me. Although it is a great vise I did have to tweak it a little right out of the box to make sure it was going to drill accurately. I noticed that the base of the vise was not flat and rocked slightly. this was taken care of with 100git paper and a flat surface. To add a little insurance that chips would not get under vise and make it rock. I added thin felt buttons to all four corners.

A Must-Have!, 8.7.2009

Reviewer: Shirley Lapp (North Augusta, SC)

The vice is a must for drilling pen blanks accurately. Easy to use with drill press.

pen center drilling vise, 8.7.2009

Reviewer: John Marshall (Mount Solon, VA)

Great tool to drill a number of blanks at one time. Leaving it set up in one of my drill presses saves a lot of time in drilling blanks.

Pen Blank Drill Centering Vise, 8.4.2009

Reviewer: John Rocchio (Bushkill, PA)

A little hard to set up even with the directions, but once set up it works fine.

Drilling Vise, 8.4.2009

Reviewer: Gary Glatfelter (Puyallup, WA)

Holds pen blank well but doesn't provide clamping space very well without mounting on something else. Overall, glad I bought it.

Solid vise, 7.29.2009

Reviewer: Dave Howell (Sedro Woolley, WA)

Only have used this vise once so far, found it to be solid and accurate once the drill table was set up level. Only thing I would like to see added would be mounting holes added to the base so it could be clamped to the table.

works well, 7.19.2009

Reviewer: Phillip Snyder (Rochester, NY)

Good value. Works well.

Pen Blank Center Drilling Vise, 7.1.2009

Reviewer: Jeffrey Holland (Mount Holly, NC)

The Pen blank center drilling vise was a great buy. Before purchasing it I was having trouble drilling perfectly center. But not now. Once you set this vise up, you drill a perfect center everytime. It's very well constructed and comes at a very good price. Can't go wrong with this vise.

Pen Vise, 6.9.2009

Reviewer: Corey Doner (Belleville, IL)

Perfect item for drilling your own blanks. Easy to work with and would recommend to anyone starting out. A++++++

Excellent, very simple, 6.3.2009

Reviewer: Carl Johnson (Sturgeon Lake, MN)

This is an excellent buy, if you make pens and don't have a self centering vice your really missing out. Well worth the price, I couldn't find a single thing bad to say about it. It is very time saving and I have used it to drill holes in stuff other then pen blanks, like knife scales and some pilot holes in a delicate project.

Pen blanj drilling center vise, 6.2.2009

Reviewer: Tim Dickerson (Camas, WA)

Works great. Holds blanks solid for accurate drilling.

auto center drill vise, 5.21.2009

Reviewer: Robert Freeman (Orlando, FL)

Very well constructed, sturdy, and very useful. Besides drilling pen blanks I've found it useful for lots of everyday drilling. The self centering function saves a lot of time and frustration.

The Best Drilling Center Vise, 5.18.2009

Reviewer: John Stewart (Taylor, TX)

The vise is very convenient to set up and use. And the best part with just a little practice you can drill all your holes in the center. I have used it on wood, acrylics and corian with easy success. It is well worth the price to save having to discard bad drilled pen blanks.

Drilling vise, 5.1.2009

Reviewer: Jeffrey Anderson (Fayetteville, GA)

Great tool, a must to drill your own blanks and for using the barrel trimmer.

Pen Blank Drilling Center Vise, 4.29.2009

Reviewer: Bob Howell (Robesonia, PA)

The center vice is a well conceived tool; it is easy to set up for use with a drill press. The clamping mechanism will center any square or round object that fits its jaws and it does not damage the blank. A must for any pen turner who uses un-drilled blanks.

This is great., 4.29.2009

Reviewer: Robert Carter (East Helena, MT)

I've looked in all the hardware stores in my area, and haven't been able to find a clamp that works like this. It is so easy to use, I have found this clamp on other web sites but Penn State has the best price and it will pay for itself in no time at all. I have messed up a bunch of blanks trying to drill them out, but now that's over. I use a drill press and I don’t even clamp it in place, I simply put a blank in the clamp and drill it out. Sometimes I use it to square up the blank after I glue it. I recommend this to anyone that wants to make their own blanks. It also works great to drill out the blanks that aren’t predrilled.

GREAT DEVICE, 4.21.2009

Reviewer: Robert Jones (Galax, VA)

Works as advertised. Saves a lot of time and gives me the confidence that I won't ruin a pen blank due to drilling errors.

Smooth operation--good positioning, 3.28.2009

Reviewer: Nathan Birx (Red Lion, PA)

I have found this vise to be an essential part of my penmaking. It works well on both square and round stock, enabling me to get well-aligned holes for mounting on the mandrel. The screw-gear works smoothly without being sloppy.

Great Pen Vice, 3.24.2009

Reviewer: Wayne (Cary, NC)

Tried to use an old machinists vice to drill pen blanks. Never square!! This vice held the blank perfectly and I got nice square drilling in the blanks. I particularly liked the solid construction!

Drilling Center Vise, 3.16.2009

Reviewer: Kenneth Risberg (Jacksonville, FL)

Very easy to use. Great quality.

Drilling vise, 3.12.2009

Reviewer: Robert Rosenfeld (Hoschton, GA)

Great item. As a beginner pen maker this helped me tremendously.

Great time saver, 3.11.2009

Reviewer: Charles Wagner (Adamsville, TN)

The drilling center vice is one of my favorite purchases. It works even better with a laser guided drill press.

Quick Trick, 3.11.2009

Reviewer: Tommy Henson (Perry, GA)

If you are not drilling your blanks with this jig, you are wasting time and wood. An awesome addition to my pen making set up! Paid for itself many time over!!

pen center drilling vise, 3.11.2009

Reviewer: Warren Donnelly (Tucson, AZ)

I like it very much, it eliminates constantly relocating the item you want to drill on center

Pen Blank Drilling Center Vice, 3.11.2009

Reviewer: Walter Ostapchuk (East Orleans, MA)

The device works ok, but I still have some problems with "Wandering" of the bit. The results are still usable however.

pretty good but not 5 stars, 3.11.2009

Reviewer: Douglas Neeley (Woodbine, MD)

I've used it about 5 times so far. Vise is sturdy, easy to use, and has wide opening to insert larger pieces of wood. The only thing I do not like about this product is the lack of real estate the vise has to clamp to. You need to make a base for it, which I have not done yet.

Pen Blank Drilling Center Vise, 3.11.2009

Reviewer: Don Temple (Crestwood, KY)

I am new to pen turning and I had a very difficult time getting larger diameter pen blanks drilled. Since I bought the vise, I have had no trouble at all. I have not split a blank or reamed one out as I went through the bottom. To me the vise is well worth the price. It is a quality product and easy to clamp to the drill press table. Good buy for pen turners

great product, 3.11.2009

Reviewer: MATTHEW BURGESS (Santa Cruz, CA)

If you do any amount of work, this tool is a must have. I have tried to use a Jorgensen clamp to hold the piece, but if your blanks are different dimensions you have to constantly reset and getting the piece square to the bit does not always happen. As a carpenter I have often "winged it" when I did not have the right tool, but this tool is just to good to do without.

A vise you can't do with out., 3.10.2009

Reviewer: Mike Maxfield (pahrump, NV)

This vise is outstanding, it holds the blanks tight and secure with out any slippage. Center your first blank and your second blank is centered automatically.

Excellent Product, 3.10.2009

Reviewer: Brian D. Atkinson (Linwood, MD)

Very easy to use. Made my life so much easier!

great tool, 3.10.2009

Reviewer: George Hyatt (Cold Spring, NY)

Really helps for centering. Easy to use & reasonable. Thank you

Not as accurate as expected or should be., 8.17.2008

Reviewer: Dan Arnold (Canon City, CO)

Maybe its because I was a machinist for twenty years and a tool and die maker for over five of that. If I had made this vise, (the one that I got any way), as a drill jig for a production part I would have got my ass chewed off. Its parts fit together so sloppy it cant repeat a hole location. The jaws rock back and forth so it cant drill a hole strait or on center line. On a block 2.125" long it walked off center 0.050" one way and 0.050" the other way on the next block, in only a 2.125" stroke! And as somebody else wrote, its hard to find a way to get it clamped to the table of the drill press. It definitely needs some work on the design. Its a great idea, just doesn't work very accurately. But, as long as your blocks are big enough and oversize enough to work with the hole running off center then its ok. But don't expect it to work if your blocks are undersized and your drilling a 8mm or 10mm hole.

Great Tool, 2.27.2008

Reviewer: LEROY SMITH (Milford, DE US, )

It works great. I just have one criticism of this tool, they could have made it easier to find a place to clamp it to the drill press table.

Sweeeet., 8.6.2007

Reviewer: Ronald Bryan (Phoenix, AZ US, )

This item is a must. I use my bench top drill press with this vice and it really makes drilling your own blanks worthwhile. You need to make sure all parts are tight every so often or the vice will wobble a bit, but don't let this sway you, for it is a must have.

Accurate, 2.9.2007

Reviewer: Curtis Buckner (Hemphill, TX US, )

I have used the drill centering vise for a couple of weeks now and find that it does exactly as advertised. It certainly is better than trying to hold them by hand.