Choosing a workholding vise for a drill press or light milling setup is not just a matter of jaw width. You also have to weigh base style, throat depth, and how much the vise is expected to flex under clamping force. The Dayton 4TK04 6-Inch Machine Vise With Fixed Base is available at USD 119.99, and its key specifications can help you decide whether this is the right workholding addition to your bench.
Quick Verdict
If you are in the market for a 6-inch jaw width with a simple fixed base and do not need swivel movement, the Dayton 4TK04 is a straightforward candidate. It offers a 2-inch throat depth, a 13-3/4-inch overall length, and a 4-inch overall height. The jaw deflection is stated at 0.002 inch at 2,000 lbs, and the bed/base parallel spec is 0.001 inch. These numbers point toward a fixed vise intended for repeatable clamping rather than quick angle changes.
Who It Suits
This vise fits machinists, fabricators, or DIYers who want a fixed-base option for drilling, light milling, or general fixturing. With a 6-inch jaw opening and a 2-inch throat depth, it can handle medium-size parts. It is also identified as a drill press vise, so it can earn a place in a drilling workstation. The unit can be turned on either side or set, which gives some mounting flexibility even though the base itself does not rotate.
What Stands Out
Dayton 4TK04 6-Inch Machine Vise With Fixed Base
The main selling point is the combination of jaw size and price. At USD 119.99, you get a 6-inch jaw width and a 2-inch throat depth in a fixed-base package. The jaw deflection spec of 0.002 inch at 2,000 lbs is a useful number to compare with other vises, and the 0.002-inch jaw plate square tolerance gives you a sense of the alignment standard the manufacturer is claiming. The 0.001-inch bed/base parallel spec is the tightest of the three, and it relates to how the base is machined in relation to the bed. These are reference points, not test results, so factor them in alongside your own clamping setup. The unit is new, with MPN 4TK04.
Meaningful Trade-Offs
The most obvious trade-off is the fixed-base design. Because the base does not swivel, you cannot rotate the vise to an angle without repositioning the workpiece or the vise itself. That simplicity is fine if all your work is square or if you use dedicated angle plates, but it means angled work will require extra setup. The 2-inch throat depth is another factor to weigh. For deeper parts, a deeper-throated vise might be more comfortable, so measure the parts you plan to clamp before committing.
Bottom Line
At USD 119.99, the Dayton 4TK04 6-Inch Machine Vise With Fixed Base is a pragmatic option for shoppers who know they want a fixed-base 6-inch vise. If your work fits within a 6-inch jaw opening and a 2-inch throat depth, and you do not need swivel capability, this model offers core specifications worth evaluating alongside your other choices.
