Best Overall
Wilton 11106 General Purpose 6-Inch Jaw Bench Vise
Best Bang for the Buck
Pony Jorgensen 27091 Woodworker’s Vise
Upgrade Pick
Wilton WS8 63304 Shop Vise
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You only have two hands — which can be a challenge with sealed project , such as when you still need to hold an point and yet require both hands to forge on it . Indeed , there may also be time when using your hands to sustain a workpiece simply is n’t feasible . The solution to these scenario might just be a bench bench vise , a metallic element clamp equipment that bolts toa workbench .
Being enthusiastic DIYers , we were excited to test the top bench vises for ourselves — and determine which ones really offered the grip powerfulness we needed . We decided to try them in our own shop . We selected top - betray judiciary vise and mounted them to workbenches . We used them to hold board , pipes , and other items . We also tried out each of their features to determine how useful they would be for variousbuilding and installationprojects , ranging from woodworking to mechanically skillful usage to gunsmithing .
forward in this guide , DIYers count to increase shop functionality will get word about the different styles and feature of the secure terrace vises . Plus , you ’ll find out how the following model garner a spot in this lineup during our hand - on testing .
Our Top Picks
The following work bench vise range of mountains fromwoodworking optionswith quick - spill function to heavy - duty cast - iron mechanic models — and all excel in our hands - on testing . The models variegate in type , size of it , and primary purpose , but each stands out in its class . We detail the pro and confidence game of each so our readers can help mold which best suits their labor needs before buy a workbench vise . Unfortunately , not all the vises we tested earned a smirch in this lineup . The one that did n’t receive our gamey standards can be found below under “ Also Tested . ”
BEST OVERALL
ThisBob Vila Approvedproduct carry our stain ’s eminent degree of testimonial .
Bob Vila Approvedrecognizes the household and DIY product that impressed us most in our real - worldly concern examination and that exemplify core value of the Bob Vila brand , including craft , innovation , and value for the dollar . success of this designation come commend by our professional review team and are in person approved by Bob Vila .
Our valuation : Mounting5/5;Ease of Use5/5;Durability5/5 ; Versatility5/5
Coming in as our top pick is the Wilton 6 - inch bench vise — a formidable workshop tool . Like most work bench vises , it comes fully put together with a cast iron construction ; all we had to do was mount it to the top of our bench . This entailed marking the location of its four hole , drilling the hollow , and then bolt it in place . Bolts were not let in , which is standard , because the manufacturing business does n’t jazz how thick a user ’s work bench will be .
We tested the handle - and - screw action of the vise by loosening and opening the jaw and then closing them again . The heavy - duty judiciary vise jaws moved swimmingly and evenly — no sticking or hanging . We then loosen the lever tumbler for the pivot mechanism , let us to swivel the bench vise ’s upper portion and retighten the lever tumbler to lock it into position . It rotate smoothly to any angle we chose .
The Wilton work bench bench vise has a 6 - column inch jaw width and strong gripping power — we tightened several items in its jaws , including pipes , iron bars , and wood . We could loosen stuck - on pipe fittings using a wrench without the tube luxate in the jaws ’ grip . We drill holes in circuit card , and the Wilton vise held them securely — no slipping . We also used the incus on the back to flatten a copper pipage with a hammer . The anvil is comparatively small — about 4 inches by 4 inches — but it ’s suitable for hammer small detail .
The downside — and we wait this — was visible impression in the wood from the corrugated jaw . We could get around this problem by positioning flimsy pieces of plywood between the board we were working on and the iron jaw on both side , but woodwork is not the basal purpose for this heavy - responsibility terrace vise . rather , this is a universal - employment bench vise that can be used for multiple shop purposes , such as holding blades for sharpening and pipe to remove fittings . It can even do to crack the episodic bootleg walnut if trust — we did that , too !
Get the Wilton 11106 bench vise atAmazon , Lowe ’s , orToolup.com .
BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK
Our Ratings : Mounting4/5;Ease of Use3/5;Durability4/5 ; Versatility3/5
Workshop warriors need not expend a hazard to get a honest vise for woodworking project . We mounted and tested the Pony Jorgenson woodworker ’s bench vise and found it strong , long-lasting , and versatile . This weighty - duty bench vise is designed to oblige woodwind instrument , as its smooth internal jaws are less likely to impair boards when grip them tightly . Screw hole on the inner position of the jaw are desirable for attaching wood jaw liners , which is something many woodworkers do for excess insurance policy against marring when working with delicate woodwind instrument species , such as cedar or poplar . The Pony vise mountain to both the front and the undersurface of a work bench — which is distinctive for human face - eccentric vises used in woodworking .
The vise comes with a dog : a bar that can be extended upward on the front of the vise to stabilise larger boards . Dogs are comparatively common on wood vises , and we really liked how smoothly this one pushed up and down and how well it held our boards . A hotdog is used in compounding with a bench stop consonant on the top of a bench .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
To make a check , we tie a wood city block to the top of the workbench about 12 inch from the bench vise . We opened the vise , raise the dog , and pose a 14 - in - wide board between the pawl and the bench break off . We stiffen the bench vise ’s handle screw until the board was snugly wedged between the bench stop consonant and the heel . We could then sandpaper and spread-eagle the gameboard ’s edge while the Canis familiaris held the board firmly in place .
A slight downside to the Pony Jorgenson vise is the lack of a immediate - release or straightaway - modification lever tumbler : We had to unfold and shut the vise jaw using only the handle screw . Still , at this price , that ’s not a hatful breaker . This is a intermediate - obligation bench vise , meaning it will address most wood - gripping motivation , but it ’s made from steel rather than casting iron , so it is n’t project to withstand heavy consumption , such as hold heavy timbers for notching .
Get the Pony Jorgensen bench bench vise atAmazon , KMS Tools , orShop Abunda .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
UPGRADE PICK
Our Ratings : Mounting3/5;Ease of Use5/5;Durability4/5 ; Versatility4/5
Here come the big son ! The first thing we observe was how heavy the Wilton heavy - duty bench vise is : an telling 65.3 pound , making it the husky vise we tested . Be certain to wax it on a sturdy workbench — over a bench leg , if possible , which will help bear its weighting .
This shop class - case vise is well suited for those who do plumbing or alloy prevarication and need a strong vise for holding blade or smoothing iron point with it ’s 8 - inch jaw width and vagabond smoothing iron construction . We jump on the vise to the top of our workbench and quiz its gripping power . We used it to assure pipe while we removed stick - on fitting with a wrench , and the pipes did n’t steal even though we go for a lot of twisting pressure . This large cast - iron bench vise also firmly held iron rebar as we filed it . We loosened the swivel lever tumbler and turned the upper part of the vise in various steering , a handy feature that allowed us to work well — no need to lean or strain .
Photo: Amazon
We also hammered the oddment of a bull pipage straight on the incus on the back of the vise . The serrated jaw are replaceable , but throughout our testing , which include cranking down tightly on multiple iron and blade item , they hold up with only a couple of aerofoil scratches , so we reckon they will last a recollective time before needing to be substitute .
This is n’t a bench vise for carpentry , however . Its serrated jaws are too rough to hold wood without leave imprints , as we discovered when we used the bench vise to grip a display panel as we routed the edge . This vise is well suited to holding steel and iron items , which it does very well .
Get the Wilton WS8 bench bench vise atAmazon , The Home Depot , orFastenal .
Photo: Amazon
BEST FOR WOODWORKING
Yost M9WW 9-Inch Rapid-Action Woodworking Vise
Our evaluation : Mounting3/5;Ease of Use3/5;Durability3/5 ; Versatility2/5
With suave inner jaws and a 10.25 - inch jaw width , the Yost woodworking bench vise securely holds large woods projects without marring the workpiece . We mount this face - riding horse bench vise to the front of our work bench , where most woodworking vises are made to install .
The vise has hole on the inner jaws design to tie custom wood jaw liners , so we invent two wood liner to fit out the jaws . That involve routing out section on two boards to match the sizing of the jaw plates and then tie the boards to the privileged jaws via piece of ass . This gave us a larger fascinating area for holding boards without the risk of impair the Sir Henry Joseph Wood . Most professional woodworkers will invent their own liners for this reason , but the jaws themselves are smooth enough to support many wood projects without impairment .
Photo: Amazon
The Yost also comes with an adjustable dog on the front jaw plate that we used in continuative with a bench stopover for retain encompassing boards firmly as we sanded , be after , and rout . We did n’t feel any slipping .
One of the decent things about the Yost bench vise is its speedy - adjust lever tumbler that allowed us to move the kayoed jaw in or out quickly . This was a big time saver , as we could move the jaw to correspond the board sizing and then use the handle to increase the grapple pressure .
take our full critical review : Yost M9WW 9 - Inch Rapid - Action Woodworking Vise
Photo: Amazon
Get the Yost terrace bench vise atAmazon , The Home Depot , orEastwood .
BEST DIY SHOP VISE
Wen BV456 6-Inch Heavy-Duty Cast Iron Bench Vise
Our Ratings : Mounting4/5;Ease of Use4/5;Durability4/5 ; Versatility3/5
We found the Wen 6 - column inch top - mount bench vise to be just the right size for a auto-mechanic ’s garage workshop or other DIY exploiter . It ’s not as big as the outsize Wilton model we tested , but it ’s turgid enough to undertake most pipe- and sword - transfix needs . We mounted the Wen vise to the top of our workbench and test its gripping strength . It held bars firmly while we twisted off bewilder - on fitting and transfix blade railings as we filed and cut through them . We even used it to hold a chainsaw while sharpening its sword . The swivel fundament made it loose to turn the vise to the most convenient angle while we worked .
The Wen bench vise has serrated jaw that firmly spellbind steel and atomic number 26 without slipping , but it is n’t suitable for concord wood . The boards we tightened in the jaws of the Wen came aside with clear-cut imprints in the wood .
Photo: Amazon
The jaws are 6 inches wide and it has a 6⅜-inch jaw opening move , which is desirable for take hold most pipes , ginmill , and other items for welding , sharpening or fabricating . The incus on the back is ready to hand — we used it to flatten the remainder of a atomic number 29 tobacco pipe with a pounding . While it ’s not a woodworking bench vise , it will handle virtually any other average - duty shop undertaking .
Get the Wen work bench vise atAmazon , Lowe’s , orThe Home Depot .
BEST FOR HOBBYISTS
Real Avid Master Gun Vise With Torq-Lok
Our Ratings : Mounting5/5;Ease of Use4/5;Durability4/5 ; Versatility3/5
The other bench vises we quiz can be categorized as either woodwork or store - type vises , but the Real Avid bench vise is n’t design to hold wood or pipes . Rather , it ’s a tool better suited to light - tariff precision economic consumption , such as concord a firearm while bond a scope or securing a tongue for sharpening .
We did not test the Real Avid vise for holding smoothing iron pipes or Mrs. Henry Wood because it ’s not made for those purpose . We mounted it to the top of our work bench at the front edge — it service as both a face - mount and a top - mount bench vise .
Photo: Amazon
The Real Avid bench vise comes with several features standard vise do n’t have , include a ball - and - socket joint that allow us to pivot the vise and move it forward , backward , and sidewise . We found this super ready to hand for OK - tuning the angle and position of the token we were cultivate on . It comes with obliterable padded jaw protectors for safely grip frail item without leaving so much as a smudge .
While the Real Avid is made with gunsmithing in mind , we find it could easy cross over for other hobbies that require gentle but secure gripping power , such as working on sportfishing reel or focus knife .
Get the literal Avid workbench bench vise atAmazonorReal Avid .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
ALSO TESTED
After successfully screen two shop - type Wilton vises , we were excited to try out the newWilton Woodworking Vise , especially because it came with pivoting jaw lining designed to grip off - size of it plank snugly . The first letdown was finding the sword handle broken in one-half . We examined the box it came in for harm , but we did n’t find any . We did n’t give up on try the bench vise yet , however .
We resolve to use a 10 - column inch plane section of brand rebar in place of the hold so that we could still tighten and loose the jaw dental plate . We felt we could probably put a replacement hold or simply stay to apply our homemade handle .
regrettably , the vise had more problems than just a broken handle . When we tightened the plates , we establish they were out of conjunction by more than ¼ column inch . We could have also overlooked that had it been the only problem , but to make matters bad , we could n’t raise the dog — it was stuck firmly in the vise jaw . We even used pliers to examine and raise the dog , but it would n’t budge .
At that point , we had to extinguish the bench vise from testing , but given Wilton ’s top carrying into action with other vises , we could n’t aid but feel our vise was somehow damaged before shipping — or we just got a lemon . It happens . We ’re open to testing an raise version of this vise in the futurity because Wilton make some very courteous workshop - eccentric vises , and we feel a pivot - jaw model has a lot of potential for woodworking .
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the Best Bench Vises
Bench vises areessential shop supporter , and putting together a list of the best good example to test was no minor task . First , we drew upon personal experience with woodworking , automotive repair , welding , and plumbing system to limit the most important features of a bench bench vise . Then we selected models for test from the brands we bank the most in the class . We gave some preference to reputable manufacturers , such as Wen and Wilton , but we also look at lesser - known mark if they had gamey client ratings .
For the actual testing , we mount each vise to a bench using our own bolts and nut case , which are typically not included with leverage because bench thickness vary . We used lag bolts and stroller bolts , ranging from 5/16 to ⅜ in in diam , but other bolt would also be suitable , reckon on where and how the vise is climb on .
Once mount , we used the vises for gripping several unwashed items , including table , pipe , and other piece to see how well they stabilise the items as we worked on them . We loose stuck - on fittings with the help of wrenches , sharpen chainsaw blades , planed and routed woodwind , and used a office exercise to drill holes in the token .
During the exam , each vise was award points ground on a rubric . The good the product perform , the higher the points it get . After testing , we tot up and average each vise ’s detail and used those to help check the most appropriate use and category .
What to Consider When Choosing a Bench Vise
Each type of terrace vise has specific features , such as jaw width , quick - release ability , and swivel , that can significantly touch how well the bench vise will function in a shop . Becoming familiar with the follow aspects will help when choosing the in effect bench vise .
Types of Bench Vises
A raw material in metalworking , automotive work , woodwork , and hobbyist shops , a bench bench vise is a metallic element clamping machine that bolts to a workbench ’s top , side , or underside . It has a handgrip - screw mechanics that turns to open up and fold its jaws to have a add-in , pipework , or other token firmly in space , allow DIYers to perform tasks like loosening a stuck testicle or a bolt or cutting accurate woodworking joints . A bench vise may also come with anvil surface ( a Earth’s surface to hammer against ) , making it useful for modest alloy - shaping tasks , such as straightening out a bended nail .
There are three main types of workbench vises : benchtop , front ( or face ) vises , and end vises , which tie in to how thevises bond to a workbench . Bench vises of all types are designed to be permanently mounted to keep them from slip when the substance abuser tightens an detail in the vise ’s jaws , which may require quite a bit of straining imperativeness . Each type has its merits , though the project at hand will learn which case will work best for a particular undertaking .
As the term suggests , benchtop vises ( also known as machinist ’ vises ) mount to the top of mosttypes of workbenches . Most bolt straight through the work bench with dash that are secured to the undersurface of the bench with junky for the strong possible attachment .
The benchtop vise is more of a “ do - all ” gadget . It has strong jaw , and user can exert a mickle of clamp pressure . It also holds the workpiece above the table ’s surface — which is very helpful for welding or wrenching . Though great for mechanics and smith , its utilisation for woodworking is somewhat limited because its broken iron jaw can leave scar when used to clamp control board .
Front vises mount to the face of a workbench and bolt to the underside for total stability . They ’re popular among woodworker because their side tolerate for ready to hand planing , routing , or dovetailing without straining to reach out the workpiece . Some of the serious front vises feature speedy action , also known as a quick release , which allows for quickly adjusting the vise to size on a workpiece before snugging it in place with a quick twist of the handle .
Many styles of front vises permit the user to bind wood jaws inside the bench vise ’s sword jaws . This offers added shelter when working with wood to see to it the vise does n’t pull up stakes dent or impressions . In addition , a few front vise get with removable padded plates that service the same aim as installing protective woodwind jaws .
End bench vise , which mount to the end of a workbench , look and work very similarly to front vise , but they are usually larger — spanning the entire end of a bench . They ’re design to adjudge long boards that might otherwise tumble or tilt in the jaw of a small vise . Some arrive built - in on bench or can be purchased separately as an add - on item .
ending bench vise are almost always used for carpentry , and they may come with wood jaw or jaw line drive that let the drug user avoid mar boards while clamping . count on the sizing and style , they may have one reduce prison guard or multiple tightening screw for secure the workpiece .
Material
The most common material find oneself in workbench vises is cast atomic number 26 . It ’s fantastically tough and dense , allowing users to exert a great plenty of clamp pressure — necessary for mechanically skillful tasks like removing obstinate fittings or pressing bushings into automotive parts .
sword vise are also popular since they ’re strong . However , they can deform under utmost pressure , so they tend to be less expensive . Woodworking vises do n’t need much force per unit area to secure boards and workpieces in piazza , so steel is more than adequate for a front bench vise or an end vise than for a shop - type automobile mechanic vise .
Manufacturers of may lean psi ( pounds per square in ) as an index number of the strength of their bench bench vise . Cast - smoothing iron bench vises can have a tensile gripping durability of over 60,000 psi , making them implausibly strong . Not all vise maker list a vise ’s gripping effect , however .
It ’s also of import to observe that some of the best bench vises have replaceable jaw plates . This is a good feature article because the jaws ’ grippy aerofoil can wear down over time , affecting their ability to take hold of postponement of a workpiece . Replacing the jaw plate can poke out the biography of a bench vise .
Jaw Width
Jaw width refers to the length of the vise ’s clamp surface . Small vises can have jaw widths as small as 3 in , a distance worthy for light-colored - tariff projection and repairs . Large vise can have jaw widths as wide as 10 inches , which provide a lot of surface area for clamping large heavy - responsibility project in place . In general , the available jaw width is between 4 and 8 inches .
Woodworking bench vise lean to have wide jaws to allow as much clamping surface as possible . These unsubtle surface help oneself avoid placing too much insistence on a small arena , which could vanquish or impair the wood ’s Earth’s surface .
Jaw Opening
Jaw orifice — the distance between the jaw when the vise is fully open up — is an significant consideration since it determines how broad an detail a user can clamp in a vise . On cast - Fe shop - character bench vise , most jaw openings oppose jaw widths , so a 6 - inch bench vise will often have a 6 - inch jaw opening and jaw width , though this is n’t always the case .
Woodworking vises like front- and final stage - mounted bench vise usually have large jaw openings for clamping wide board . But , it ’s unusual to find a woodworking bench vise with a jaw opening of more than 10 inches .
Throat Depth
Throat profoundness in both bench vises and carpentry vises refers to the space from the top of the jaw to the top of the jailor mechanism that tightens the vise . basically , it quantifies how profoundly a substance abuser can clamp a workpiece down deep down of a bench vise .
pharynx depth is important , particularly when edge - planing wide-cut boards or welding wide pieces of brand . The larger the throat depth , the easier it is to clamp these broad material toward their centers , providing more stability and holding strong suit while allowing users to use more purchase or weight unit . Generally mouth , the orotund the vise , the deeper the throat deepness .
Swivel Rotation
The power to swivel is perhaps the most authoritative feature of a good benchtop vise . For illustration , swivel the jaw out of the path might allow a DIYer to get a honorable slant on the anvil Earth’s surface , which can make a big difference when trying to scratch or flex something to shape .
swivel also allow users to clamp a piece in place and then whirl it to adjust the bench vise ’s slant instead of get to hunch forward over to work on the hind end of the workpiece . It ’s much more commodious and allows for better biotechnology , take into account the user to nullify distort to see what they ’re doing .
Mount Type
Benchtop bench vise put on immediately to a benchtop surface . They usually mount with four bolts that sandwich the vise ’s base against the benchtop . It ’s a vulgar practice to mount a benchtop vise directly over a table leg . The branch will create a solid Earth’s surface to forge over , while the unsupported center of a bench may be overly bouncy and engross a lot of prominent power .
Woodworking vises like front and end models mount in a few different manner . normally , they shaft into the edge of a work bench with long wood screws or meantime bolt . They can also ride from underneath with shorter screws — just be sure not to penetrate the study surface , or there is the endangerment of chip a airplane ’s edge while flattening a board .
Anvil
Most benchtop vise have a 2-dimensional surface on top , direct in the mall , to officiate as an anvil . DIYers can use this surface to pounding pins and rivet as well as flatten or forge metal stock .
While not technically a blacksmith ’s incus , this airfoil does create a whole place to strike against . It can be helpful when trying to pink a movement pin loose or drop a bent lawn - mower blade .
Woodworking vises do n’t number with anvil airfoil , so woodworkers might desire to put in a benchtop bench vise on a shop open for straightening antique nail and rescued hardware .
Quick Release
jockey a bench vise in and out for workpieces that vary in width can become a time sea wolf . It might take 30 turns to open a vise ’s jaw enough for a all-inclusive piece . Rather than waste time twisting the vise jaws in and out of place , consider a modeling with a quick release or speedy - action at law capability . These features allow exploiter to slither the vise apace opened or close and then want only a twist of the handgrip to snug the workpiece — a real time saver .
Quick - release levers are often find in woodworking vises but they ’re rare in mechanics ’ bench vise . The ability to pull and push the jaw winnow out the motivation for repetitive turning of the handgrip screw .
FAQs
Keep learn for answers to commonly asked questions about these useful shop apparatus .
Bench vises mount tomost workbenches , either on top , on the front , or below . They utilize a handle and screw routine to open and close a set of jaws that clamp a workpiece in seat .
instal a benchtop vise over the top of a workbench ’s legs to distribute military force directly into the ground rather of absorbing it . Right - handed woodworkers typically like their front - mount vises on the left side of their workbench and their end vises on the right end , while lefties prefer the reverse .
Cast iron is very durable , but scratch it down with a piss - displacing product like WD-40 will help keep a vise in great shape ; spray the threads on the jaw screw as well . When a vise ’s jaws become worn — they’ll be noticeably smoother than when new — reach out to the producer for a solidification of replacements .
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a merchandise tester and author specializing in the construction , remodeling , and substantial estate industries . She and her husband own a cosmopolitan catching companionship , and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial building practical app . She tests a wide kitchen range of power tools as well as other home improvement , household , and lawn - and - garden products .
extra enquiry provided by Tom Scalisi .
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