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A bench vice is a device that holds an object that a woodworker works with. It comprises two flat jaws, of which one is fixed while the other is portable. Both can be united with a screw mechanism. Choosing the best bench vise for the money basically depends on the kind of work you have at hand. Homeowners can buy a small bench vise that will do for their weekend jobs, but workshop owners will have to choose it wisely. Here’s a quick comparison of the best bench vise for those who are in a hurry.
Product Name | Jaw Width | Throat Depth | Swivel Base | Weight | Clamping Force | Check Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yost Vises 445 4.5" Utility Combination Pipe and Bench Vise | 4.5" | 2.625" | 360 Degrees | 18 lbs | 3080 lbs | Check Price |
Wilton 11104 Bench Vise | 4" | 2-1/4 Inches | 180 Degrees Swivel | 16 lbs | - | Check Price |
IRWIN Heavy-Duty Workshop Vise, 6", 226306ZR | 6" | 3.38" | 360 Degrees | 30.6 lbs | 3000 lbs | Check Price |
Yost 750-E Rotating Bench Vise | 5" | 2.5" | 360 Degrees | 37 lbs | 4000 lbs | Check Price |
Yost Vises FSV-4 4" Heavy-Duty Forged Steel Bench Vise | 4" | 2.9" | 360 Degrees | 22 lbs | 5000 lbs | Check Price |
Bench vise reviews
The best bench vise will vary from person to person, still if you’re looking for the best bench vise for the money, take a look at these vises under review:
#1. Yost Vises 445 4.5″ Utility Combination Pipe and Bench Vise
Here’s a Yost vise review of a wonderfully useful product. This device is accompanied by a 180-degree swivel base and can be mounted on to a workbench for perfect clamping for small projects. This swivel base also adjusts the direction of the jaws to ensure perfect placement. By tightening the lock knob manually, the vise position is secured.
The vise’s cast iron body along with a steel U-channel bar spell high durability. One part of it is flat and behaves as an anvil and an extra worktop. When the tough steel top jaws are worn out, they can easily be replaced, while the in-built cast iron pipe jaws are set in firmly for better grip. The jaws can be brought closer together or pulled farther apart when the handle of the vise is turned clockwise or anticlockwise.
Pros:
- This is a really good vise for a basement or garage workbench.
- It is best for light to moderate jobs and has a slew of features that add to its versatility.
- Its 360-degree swivel is a great asset.
- The grooves below the jaws hold the pipes to be cut very firmly.
Cons:
- The casting is very poor with the pivot hole being larger than the retaining bolt, so the rotational position cannot be tightened enough so that the vise doesn’t shift when tightened.
This vise is extremely versatile as it can be used equally for woodworking projects and for plumbing, vehicle repair and other activities both at workshops and around the house. It is built to be mounted on to a workstation and to perform all kinds of projects ranging from light to heavy duty.
It is built to be easily fitted onto any workbench to be used by all kinds of professionals–woodworkers, mechanics and tradesmen. It is extremely stable and of a comfortable weight. It is of compact size, so it fits in small workstations too. Its anvil allows woodworkers to work flawlessly, providing a perfect view of the worktop. It is built impressively with the vise being made of excellent quality fortified steel.
Pros:
- This device is very sturdy.
- It is an excellent piece of machinery for the price.
- It is easy to install.
Cons:
- Though it wasn’t used too much, it broke from its mount.
#3. IRWIN Heavy-Duty Workshop Vise, 6″, 226306ZR
The IRWIN 226306 6-inch heavy duty workshop vise has a cast iron body. This vise can carry more than 1,361 kg of clamping force for heavy duty jobs.
Its 6″ jaw width allows for a safety jaw that keeps the slide in place when in use. With a weight of about 14 kg, this vise has an integrated pipe jaw and anvil that help to quickly set in position the table vise with the help of a swivel base. With the steely grip of its steel jaws, this vise helps to hold any material while work is being done. It is highly durable and its screw design does not need much maintenance or even lubrication.
Pros:
- It is an excellent vise and comfortably priced.
- Its jaws move smoothly without any wobbling.
- It is a table vise that’s ideal for small projects.
- It has strong clamping power and is made of high quality steel.
Cons:
- None
#4. Yost 750-E Rotating Bench Vise
For a change, here’s a multi-jaw rotating vise–one that’s meant solely for home workshops. It is made of cast iron. It is so versatile that its head rotates a complete 360 degrees. It can be locked on the side too, allowing the vise to be clamped at any desirable angle. It has three different types of jaws to grip parts–Machinist Jaws, Pipe Jaws and V-Jaws. It also has four mounting holes so attach the vise to a workbench securely. At the rear of the vise is located a large anvil worktop. It also has a 5” jaw width and a jaw opening of 5”.
Pros:
- It is an excellent vise and comfortably priced.
- Its jaws move smoothly without any wobbling.
- It is a table vise that’s ideal for small projects.
- It has strong clamping power and is made of high quality steel.
Cons:
- The box it arrived in was badly damaged and its manual was torn.
#5. Yost Vises FSV-4 4″ Heavy-Duty Forged Steel Bench Vise with 360-Degree Swivel Base
This device is built with 90,000 PSI forged steel. It is built for durability and toughness. It is made of cast iron. The vise is lightweight and has a very good clamping force. Its large anvil worktop is its signature feature. It is smooth and built for metal bending and shaping. This vise is the only one to have replaceable machinist and pipe jaws. They offer a better grip than cast iron jaws. When they wear out, you only need to replace the parts, not the entire device. It gives precise machining and works smoothly.
Pros:
- This is a sturdily constructed vise.
- It is an impressive piece of machinery.
- Its finish is superb and it is well-oiled.
- It has a big anvil.
Cons:
- Its screw is gritty and does not work smoothly.
- The swivel base has integrated gear teeth into its base-locking mechanism.
- At the rear, the slide isn’t uniform in design.
- The retaining pin isn’t secured tightly enough.
Best Bench Vise Buying Guide
Uses:
A bench vise is versatile, but little do people know just how many different kinds of applications it has. If you want to work with precision, there’s no better tool to assist you than a bench vise. Here are some of its salient uses:
When used as glue: Usually, carpentry projects are held together by glue at the finishing stage. At such times, these projects need extra pressure to make wood pieces stick better. For this, it’s better to hold wood pieces together using a wood vice. It also expedites the sticking or drying of glue with wood.
Cutting or modifying metal: A bench vise is also useful in cutting or modifying metal.
Sawing: When sawing wood, it’s common for a stockpile of wood to be cut in harmonious pieces. To get a clean shave of the wood, it helps to hold the wood at the correct position. This can be done by holding and arranging the trudging pieces of wood with the help of a bench vice. What results will fit the furniture being made.
Drilling: Drilling is commonly done in areas like electrical fittings, plumbing and carpentry. This activity requires precision and stability, something a bench vise can offer as the driller holds this device at the right spot and drills holes where required. A bench vise gives the required stability for the tool used for drilling, thus making it a necessary tool when drilling.
Sanding: Using sand paper to give a smooth finish may be very time-consuming, but using a bench vise can help by way of expediting the process and keeping your hands and material safe from injury.
Cutting electrical conduits: You can make a smart cut in an electrical conduit when you’re absolutely secure. When doing electrical works, cutting occupies a central role. When woodworkers cut an electrical conduit, they have to ensure that it is really secure so that they make a smart cut. This is achieved by holding the conduit with a certain grip that only a bench vise can give.
Workbench: A bench vise provides all the benefits that a work bench does, i.e., provides a strong grip. Therefore, bench vises can easily replace workbenches, depending on the tools, material and size used.
What is the best size of bench vise for you?
It’s a good idea to go with good quality cast iron vises. Not only are they highly durable, they also have good capacity for clamping, and they also have a quick release feature that automatically engages when you turn the handle just a quarter.
No matter which vise you ultimately choose, do choose well and wisely. Some good ones in the market include the Wilton workshop vise (5-1/2 inch), Yost benchwise amongst others. For small projects, you can invest in the three-inch Bessey vise. You can clamp it on to any work surface and remove and store it easily.
Using the bench vise safely
Here are some safety points to remember when using a vise:
- The jaws of a vise should never be used as an anvil.
- When hammering on an object clamped down by a vise, wear safety goggles.
- If there’s a chance of your work being marred, prevent it by using jaw liners along with a vise.
- Don’t hammer on the handle of a vise.
- Don’t do any heavy duty work using a light vise or the latter could be ripped from its foundations.
Conclusion
With the wide array of the best vises featured here, you can now choose the best bench vise for the money.