Buying guide for best bench vises. At first glance a bench vise seems a straightforward item. Basic, robust engineering, with a simple function, and intuitive use. But go shopping for one, and you'll find you have a harder choice than you expected.  Whenever possible, position your item such that the working area is close to the jaws of the vise. This reduces flexing or vibration, and gives you greater control. What does a good bench vise cost? There are some very cheap bench vises around, but bear in mind that these tools exert a tremendous amount of pressure. Metal fatigue and stress fractures are common with poorly cast models. The bench vise is the centerpiece of any wood or metal workshop. It not only makes your work easier but also safer. To the untrained eye, all bench vises might look the same, but they aren’t built equal. This means that the quality of your work might improve or degrade depending on the specific vise you go for. So, which one is the best bench vise of them all? The answer to this question might not be straightforward, as different vises suit different needs.  Bench vises with larger jaw widths are typically considered to be better since their larger size allows them to have a firmer grip on the material. As such, they are ideal for heavy-duty projects utilizing large workpieces. For most DIY purposes, however, a vise with a jaw width of 4 to 6 inches should be sufficient. Bench Vise ° Work Clamp-On Vise Table Vise, 3" Heavy Woodworking Clamp, Household Vise, Fixed Vise, Movable Work Bench Vise For Woodworking, Black (Black). $$ ($/count). Get it as soon as Mon, Feb 8.  When looking for the best workbench, it’s essential to take size, durability, customizability, function, and material into account. However, the most crucial characteristic is whether the workbench suits your personal needs. Read full article. Best Overall. Best For Easy Movement. Mobile Garage Workbench w/Casters | 61" Acacia Hardwood Top | Adjustable Height Legs | Great for use as Office Workshop Tool Bench. out of 5 stars Categorized as: Buying Guides. However, if you cannot, then you may want woodworkingg consider getting a vise to clamp it on as best bench vise woodworking 60 work on it. The handle must be a fairly large diameter to fit into the socket. If you are limited by the budget or do not want to spend too wooworking on vise, take a best bench vise woodworking 60 look at the Yost M7WW Rapid. The first place is always given to the best of the best model and that is the case with the Wilton Their jaws also vary in sizes and the bigger the jaw of the vise, the better the friction and grip you stand to get.

This is a durable vise that features a degree swivel base that is interlocking geared that has two lock-down adjustments to keep it secure on your workbench. It can be locked down in any angle and is easily adjusted to provide the proper placement for your woodwork. This bench vise comes with three different sets of jaw width to be used as gripping parts making it versatile and durable.

Why We Liked It — This bench vise has a degree swivel base as well as three-jaw attachments and a durable clamp force making it versatile.

This bench vise has 6-inch jaw width so it can deal with a range of materials, and it has a 4. It has a swivel base that rotates degrees which makes it easy to place and maneuver the vise wherever you need it most. This best bench vise is designed to make every job easier as it is so durable and heavy-duty. The head can also be rotated degrees and it can be locked in place for safety using the 12 pull pin spaces.

Each of these spaces is within degrees of each other so it is easy to set the base wherever you need it for the job at hand. This is a versatile bench vise that can be used in professional or hobbyist workshops.

Why We Liked It — This bench vise is high quality as it is made from heavy-duty ductile iron and has a swiveling head and base for maximum maneuverability. This is Best Woodworking Bench Vises Usa one of the best bench vises for hobbyists as it is compact, lightweight yet still durable.

It comes with square body seating which makes it easy for under-bench mounting and will not take up a lot of room in your workshop. This Irwin Tools bench vise has a toe-in toward top jaw that helps ensure a firm grip onto your workbench, making it safe and reliable to use. This bench vise is crafted from forged iron for longevity with a wide jaw opening for versatility.

This Irwin Tools bench vise comes with a provision that is designed for installing wooden cheeks into the device to protect workpieces. It is designed to be easy to use and provides a much needed helping hand in your home workshop. This bench vise has a jaw capacity of 0. Even though this is a lightweight bench vise, it is still heavy duty and durable.

Why We Liked It — This is the greatest value bench vise for hobbyists as it is compact, fairly lightweight yet heavy-duty enough to withstand all woodwork.

It can be used by both hobbyists and professional workshops that are smaller in size. These bench vises have a solid steel dog in the front jaw opening to make it durable and more stable.

This bench vise is designed to be compact and is lightweight compared to other models, making it suitable for use in the home. This bench vise tool has a 7-inch jaw width that can provide the best application and is highly sturdy.

When in use, the outside jaw of these bench vise will drop down as you tighten it which will help seat the workpiece against the back jaw. This is important for stability making this a great option for even the smallest work surface.

A piece of wood can also be attached to the inside of the jaw opening to protect your workpiece. Why We Liked It — This is a great bench vise for medium-duty work as it is durable yet lightweight and has a wide steel jaw for stability.

The base has a degree swivel making it highly maneuverable and very precise for your woodwork. It has a crosscut non-slip 4-inch steel jaw width that open up to an incredible 0. These bench vises are designed to keep your workpieces perfectly still and stable so you can work safely.

It is made from heavy-duty and powder-coated cast iron of 36, PSI so it will last a long time. The base is designed to grasp tightly onto your workbench and can provide over pounds of clamping force, making it highly durable and a very protective tool to use within the workshop.

This benchtop tool comes with three 12 mm mounting holes that can attach to almost every work table making it versatile. Why We Liked It — This bench clamp is made from powder-coated cast iron making it highly durable and stable for all kinds of woodwork. It can be mounted onto a bench or trailer due to the fact it comes with a mounting bracket, giving you greater versatility and flexibility based on the work surface you are working with.

This Wilton bench vise can be easily attached using a standard 2-inch hitch and it comes with an additional hitch pin for security on the jaw width. This Wilton bench vise is lightweight and has an integrated carry handle making it easy to transport around the workshop and adjust on your work surface.

The patented degree locking handle is designed to secure the handle and lock the bench vise when it is being used. This is a water-resistant, heavy-duty bench vise that is made from hardened steel so it can be used in all weather conditions. It comes with an included screw set that is designed to give a tight and secure fit, making this one of the safest benchtop tools available.

Why We Liked It — This bench vise is one of the best as it is made from hardened steel so it is durable and is versatile as it can be used on a bench or trailer. This is one of the best bench vises for professional or hobbyist workshops as it really does make your work easier to complete. It is fitted with an adjustable front stop or dog that offers an additional clamping facility, which gives it a two in one operation.

This tool can be used as both a normal vise as well as a tail vise making it versatile and highly convenient for both professionals and hobbyists. It is made of cast iron making it heavy duty and durable, as well as being well-constructed making it a great vise for the money.

This heavy-duty vise has 9-inch pipe jaws, and 4-inch throat depth so it can support a range of materials. It comes with two pre-drilled holes for quick and easy installation to your benchtop.

Why We Liked It — These bench vises come with a wide throat depth and jaw opening to provide a two in one operation for professional workshops. Yost vises are known for their quality and durability, with this model being no exception. Like other Yost vises, it has a generous throat depth of 2. This makes it suitable for various different materials, including pipes and tubes.

This Yost Vises Di is made from 30, PSI cast iron and has a blue powder-coated finish making it heavyweight and built for longevity. It has a degree swivel base to provide versatility in the workroom. This base design has been improved by Yost vises to keep the bench vise stable, as it will not move from side to side when you are working. The cast pipe jaws and machined serrated jaws offer a secure grip of your materials. Why We Liked It — This bench vise is designed for home workshops as it is versatile, with a swivel base and stable pipe jaws to clamp down on materials.

This bench vise has a degree swivel base that has dual lock-down nuts so it is easy to position the benchtop tool wherever you need it most. There are three mounting holes already installed onto the bench vise making it easy to install onto your work surface.

This bench vise features a polished hardened steel anvil to offer a smooth and consistent work surface that can be used for shaping metal pieces. This bench vise uses acme-threaded screws that glide in smoothly without binding, making this bench vise easy to use and sturdy.

With a swivel base and preinstalled screw holes, this bench vise has easy adjustments making it versatile. On the other hand, I could just keep on without a vise. However, if your going to be legless for much of the year, this I would gently suggest this is bordering on a vice. I have always found freash air is the answer and an outside winter bench with a tarp may be a possible answer.

I can see a face vice making the swing down top too heavy, so the support of the leg could be needed. I need get on Best Bench Vise For Woodworking 2019 with the vise. I am still thinking face versus leg. Face with stow-able leg might be easier to store than leg with leg vise. Now that warm weather is here and the wife wants me to haul a dump truck load of dirt around to the garden beds, I can think on it some more in the meantime!

Just in time for Lie Nielson open house at the factory, 40 miles down the road. Good article and insights. Though it has done nothing to dissuade me from considering a Benchcrafted leg vise.

Those seem to appeal to both my head and my heart. Let us know what you opt for. RIchard, How would you install the metal face vise to your bench? Would you inset the face or just bolt it to the front with minimal cutout for the runners and bolted to the bench top? Or some other way? Do that video. In all the spare time you have.

Looking forward to your article on the same Richard. When you say teh tolerances on a leg vice have to be tighter to make it work properly, which elements are you specifically talking about? The Parallel Guide? I built a bench last year and, after seeing a video that the Unplugged Woodworker posted on making his Nicholson type face vice I knew what I wanted, Unfortunately, the Lake Erie wooden vice kit had become so popular that getting one was going to be a problem….

Len is an engineer who developed a quick release vice mechanism that uses an internal cam to lock the vice solidly in a quarter turn, but allows the vice shaft which is smooth to freely move in and out of its collar with just a quarter turn back. When I asked him if his VX20 vice kit would work in a single screw Nicholson vice type design, he worked with me and custom modified one of his vice kits to work horizontally, rather than the usual vertical orientation.

Can you apply gradual pressure with them or are they on or off? The Hovater vices look excellent — one of the intriguing parts is how they couple the two mechanisms together on their twin screw vices so you can tighten the it with either handle. I suppose this means you never need to change the your position of your hands when you are tightening it up?.

Great text! I share the same interest of Rico who commented previously by the Scandinavian vices. Of Best Bench Vise For Woodworking 00 course, there is the cross-grain question on the shoulder that needs attention.

I actually think we sold them at a loss. Anyway, I really liked that vice you put on the English workbench. This one in your vice of the photo above looks strong and, why not say, beautiful. Hi, lovely article about vices that is. Since a couple of month I am experimenting with the 62mm wooden screw,turned and threaded in my own shop. Yesterday I got me some more beech, which seems quite adequat for the screw itself, and I also use it for the yaw.

This time the experiment will be a leg vice. Strength of the wooden thread seems to be less of a problem than anticipated beforhand. Even locally harvested mapel did make a strong screw. Hi Norbert, It really is incredible just how strong a wooden thread can be, particularly when you think of its grain orientation.

In my testing I failed to break one, with the normal handle anyway. I also deliberately chipped half the thread off one to see the effect, and it still worked great. You wrote, that you would mortice the back metal jaw in the apron.

Should I go deeper with the metall jaw to put a wood jaw in front of the back jaw to come flush with the apron? So I would have a wooden hardwood back jaw morticed in my pine apron?

Is it overkill to to that? If not, which thickness for the hardwood jaws should I take? I would use the softwood apron as the jaw, which would last you a very long time, and should it ever chip up you could always recess a new rear jaw in.

Thank you very much. I did build your English bench, and as I was just starting out used a Veritas tail vice screw er, because it was more than a foot long, and cost twenty quid. It is bloody brilliant. The posts about how to use it were also worth their weight …. And you know what the best thing about it is? I actually made it! Thanks to you both for showing me how.

Thanks Russ, that really is lovely to hear. Thanks but I think it is mainly down to the design — straight forward but brutally effective.

Although where the bloody shelf for it has gone in the meantime is beyond me — I think it may have accidentally ended up as kindling. I came to the conclusion that I will have to build a new bench one of these days. The one I have was built by a machinist turned wood worker and there are too many points where he carried machinist habits along.

The original bench has some brilliant design features. There was a wood screwed face vice and twin wood screwed wagnon vices tail vices with very thoughtfully laidout throw for the wagons. The dogs on the wagons are round stemmed and will rotate to catch a panel of any shape.

The screws are the same diameter as a metal vice ca. One day I cranked it down and the shaft just snapped. I know exactly what you mean, an over engineered bench can be a bit much.

Are these parallel to the vise runners or perpendicular? A pic might help if possible. Hi Patrick, either way should work. The more the vice opens the more the weight at the front will pull it down, and that has an effect on how well it runs. Also when you clamp with it wide open, say you had a drawer in it, it compounds all of the racking problems.

This is certainly not an essential, but is something that I always did on benches that I sold. And I hate it. I looked at wooden screw option but price and the fact that I have a perfectly good vice in operation.

I do regret it I kind of new lager diameter wood screw would be the job. Richard, Some time ago I was thinking about the dificulty of finding a good wood screw for good money and started to think in alternatives. I thought using the wood screw from a stool.

I have one for decades, since I was in school. You know, those three leg stools that we can raise the seat. I ended up buying a metal Irwin with quick release, but the idea is still in my mind. Do you see any problem with those kinds of screws? Is the thread good enough for a vise? Hi Nuno, That sounds like a very clever idea and would definitely warrant some experimentation. I have enjoyed reading your blogs on various aspects of wood working and especially those on building a workbench.

I am currently building a workbench and have moved from considering a leg vise to thinking that the Nicholson style vise would best suit my needs.. Love your down-to-earth approach to workbenches, Richard, as an antidote to the dominant American gadget and fad-driven approaches.

Can you explain a bit more what you mean? Hi Richard, thank you very much for the information. Are there any worthy without the nut or is the nut feasible to make?

Thank you very much in advance and looking forward to watching the workbench series soon. How do you edge plane a really wide board using one of these traditional, one screw face vices? I am a complete beginner. Hi James, thanks for your interest! The video focuses on building the wooden face vice from scratch so you may have a little bit of thought needed to alter this to suit your Record.

Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. It needs to grip without having to cinch right down. A couple of simple leg vices. Hi, Rico. Hi Richard, Great post. They really look the part, is there any way of picking one up for cheap?

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