Do you often work alone at your workbench? Got nothing that can securely hold the thing you are working on safely? Want something that can grab the workpiece that you are working on steadily and will not allow it to budge? You are most definitely looking for a bench vise then.
A bench vise is an extremely versatile tool that will allow you to get your workpiece, while mounted to a table or a workbench, it will grasp your workpiece firmly whether it be wood or metal. But, looking for the best bench vises is not an easy task at all.
There are hundreds and hundreds of vises available as of right now, and it is entirely reasonable to get bewildered if you are out in the market to buy one. That is why we are here. We have gone through the most popular ones and have sorted over the best seven vises that your money can buy.
We can assure you that you will not go wrong picking up any of the seven that you think is suitable for your workload. Through some detailed research, we have huddled over the seven best bench vises. Each of these seven vises will have a unique feature each that sets it different from the other ones.,
Top 7 Best Bench Vises
All of these seven are fully capable of doing what they are meant to do. You will be able to do your work efficiently by any of the following vises.
1. Yost LV-4 Home Vise 4-1/2″
Yost is one of the leading brands when it comes to bench vises. They offer excellent quality vises at a competitive price point. This specific vise redeemed a special place among many specialists because of how feature-packed it is.
The vise is optimal for light-duty workloads. The jaw width is four and a half inches in length. It opens as far as four inches. The throat depth is at nearly three inches, 2.62, to be precise. Placing any workpiece
The clamp of the vise has a generous force rating of three thousand one hundred and fifty pounds. The torque has a decent capability of seventy-three feet per pound as well.
You can comfortably work with iron and hardwood workpieces as you can rotate the swivel at full 360 degrees. The base also locks in place, which will ensure proper placement of the object. So, you do not even have to worry about your workpiece setting loose when you are working on it.
The durability of the whole unit is on another level because of the construction in cast iron and steel. Also, the diamond-serrated jaws are fully capable of exerting the pressure required to hold your object and are easy to replace as well.
It has the pipe capacity of one eight inches by two diameters, and the pipe jaws have been cast in place too. It will allow clamping down with higher pressure, which regular vises are not capable of usually.
Highlighted Features
- Comparatively large anvil area
- Precisely machined screws
- Diamond serrated machined jaws
- Cast in place pipe jaws
- ‘U’ channel steel bar for additional durability
- Dual lockdown feature
- 360 degrees swivel base
2. Yost 750-DI, 5″ EXTREME-DUTY, 2X Stronger
The leading company Yost has many bench vises to offer, and the suitability ranges from medium workload to professional workloads. They virtually have everything for everyone.
Likewise, if you are searching for a bench vise that is high end and offers top-notch overall performance and is highly versatile, then you can pick the Yost 750-dl, without any hesitation.
This particular vise is for professional workloads and is more reliable than most of the options that are available in the market. It has a construction of 60,000 psi heavy-duty ductile iron. It makes it extremely durable and long-lasting.
The whole unit weighs 63 pounds, which is much more substantial than most of the competition. The clamp has a rating of 9,000 psi as well. The vise has three sets of replaceable hardened steel jaws.
The jaws will offer you multiple contact points. With the parallel serrated jaws, pipe jaws and the V-jaw, you can safely secure both round and flat objects. They are incredibly durable and versatile. The large size of the screw and the nut adds in the feature of increased pressure exertion.
You will find multiple positions to lock the vise head. In a total of twelve different locations, to be exact. The vise head rotates at full 360 degrees, with a locking mechanism at every 30 degrees. It sports the interlocking V-grooved swivel base that offers two lockdowns at each of the positions.
Highlighted Features
- Heavy-duty ductile iron structure
- Equipped with three different sets of replaceable jaws
- Large anvil area to work with
- No-pinch screw handle
- Vise body rotates at full 360 degrees
- Lockdown mechanism at every 30 degrees
3. TEKTON 4-Inch Swivel Bench Vise | 54004
If you are strictly in budget and looking for bench vise that is suitable for low to medium workload. You can comfortably put the TEKTON 54004 4-inch swivel bench vise into your consideration.
It is quite reasonable to worry about the quality of the bench vise at the budget price point. But you can be well assured, even though this particular vise is comparatively affordable, it does not cut corners in build quality. It is a bang for every buck you are going to spend on it.
The durability of the whole unit is unquestionable as it has cast iron construction. It comes along with replaceable serrated jaws. The jaws have a rating of 30,000 psi tensile strength. So, you do not even have to worry about your workpiece setting itself loose after you secure it in place.
It will stay right in place without any chance of budging out. It comes featured with 120 degrees swivel base that comes packed with two lockdown nuts. You will be able to set your workpiece at any position that your heart desires.
Three mounting holes that will allow you to secure the vise on your workbench firmly and securely. You will be able to work on your small DIY projects without any hassle at all.
The polished steel anvil will offer you a smooth and consistent working area for contouring any metal workpiece. The screws are also acme-threaded, which glides smoothly without any signs of binding.
Highlighted Features
- Lightweight but fairly strong
- Durable
- Replaceable steel jaws
- 120 degrees of swivel base rotation
- Dual lockdown feature
- Secure and anti-slip grip
- Acme-threaded screws
- Polished steel anvil
4. IRWIN Tools Multi-Purpose Bench Vise
If you often find yourself requiring a jaw that can hold different workpieces that you usually work on, you are looking for a multi-purpose bench vise. Luckily, IRWIN has the right bench vise to meet all your demands.
The IRWIN multi-purpose 5-inch bench vise will offer you the versatility of attaching the object that you are working on that can fit itself to the extremely versatile jaw. It opens as full as five inches, and the depth of the throat is three inches.
The bench vise comes along with rotating pipe jaws, and the base is entirely 360 degrees rotatable. Along with that, the fused steel handle makes adjustments look like a child play.
You can expect full stability while working on as the incorporated anvil keeps the whole unit steady and secure. The vise is quite heavy as well, and it will be able to maintain its weight even when you are working aggressively.
The swivel base is 360 degrees rotatable, so you will be able to place the object that you are working on accurately. The machined screw is wear and tear-resistant, also screwing on feels butter smooth because of the clean threading.
The pipe attached along the jaws rotates, and the fused steel handle makes adjustments smooth as a baby’s bottom. The whole unit offers an excellent price to the value proposition and will not let you down. You will be able to do medium to moderately large-scale projects with a breeze.
Highlighted Features
- Incorporated anvil helps it to be substantially stable
- Rotating pipe jaws
- Fused steel handle for butter-smooth adjustment
- Jaw opens up to five inches
- Solid design
- Exceptionally durable
- Smooth screw threading
5. Olympia Tool 4In. Bench Vise 38-604
Like an oven in the baker’s home, bench vises are an essential tool in the garage. You might think you will never have the use of it, but eventually, you will find yourself looking for something that offers the functionality of a bench vise.
Also, like every other competitive vise that is available in the market, Olympia is offering a banging option at a competitive price point.
The hardened steel jaws of this particular bench vise can open up to four inches wide. You might never have to replace them because of how durable they are, but you can easily replace them if they lose their functionality. The throat depth of the jaws is two inches.
You can easily maneuver the handle for tightening or setting loose the object that you want to work with, and they offer generous leverage. The base swivel rotates at 270 degrees, giving you ample headroom for medium workloads.
The size of the anvil is also quite large, and the whole unit will remain steady while you are hammering down the workpiece. To add extra stability, it comes with four lugs to let you attach it to your workstations securely.
The whole unit has a construction of a tank. It weighs at about 12 pounds and built with 20,000 psi malleable steel casting. So, you do not have to worry about its durability. It is going to absorb most of the abuse at ease.
Highlighted Features
- Replaceable hardened steel jaws
- Remarkably durable
- The jaws offer a firm and secure grip
- 270 degrees base rotation
- Comparatively large anvil area
- Powdered coated body finish
6. Wilton 11106 Wilton Bench Vise, Jaw Width 6-Inch, Jaw Opening 6-Inch
Do you work with metals quite often? Massive swings with your hammer are just a thing that you find yourself doing every time you work on a workpiece? Are you looking for something that can take all your abuse and then still stay in one piece?
Then you are probably looking for a vise that will stand your beating every here and there, and Wilton has the perfect one for you. Unlike every other vise that is available in the market, this particular model has sturdy steel construction instead of cast iron.
Just like being made of high-quality steel, it weighs substantially more than other vises as well. The whole unit weighs at 38.8 pounds. With being assured of the durability that this vise has, you must be wondering about its functionality.
You will be glad to know; it offers every functionality that a bench vise should feature and stays up to par with others. It comes packed with a dual lockdown swivel base and also offers an ample anvil space. The swivel rotates at 90 degrees. It is also quite easy to turn the swivel, and you will find yourself making a minimal effort while adjusting it.
The jaws are replaceable, and the included ones offer a generous amount of grip as well. The clamping capacity is 6 inches, so you will have plenty of space to securely place any object that you are planning to work on the vise.
Highlighted Features
- Built like a tank
- Dual lockdown swivel mechanism
- Replaceable jaws
- Generously wide for placing any object in between
- Large anvil surface
- Easy to work with
7. Capri Tools 10519 Rotating Base and Head Bench Vise
If you are looking for a bench vise that will offer you the freedom of rotating and working through any of the positions you find yourself comfortable? Capri tools might have the perfect bench vise for you.
This particular bench vise allows you to rotate not only the whole base 360 degrees but also the swivel as well. You can work on your workpiece at any position that your heart desires.
The jaws are 6 inches wide and open up to 5.7 inches. You can easily fit any object, whether the workpiece is metal or wood comfortably. The throat depth is 4.7 inches.
It is incredibly durable as it is constructed with 60,000 psi heavy-duty ductile iron. It can take your everyday abuse easily and will still stand firm at the end of the day. The clamping force of the jaws is up to 6,600 pounds.
As stated above, both the base and the swing rotate at full 360 degrees. The head comes with a locking mechanism. With that, you can lock the head at twelve different positions. Each 30-degree turn can be locked in place.
The body has a smooth paint finish that boasts high-end in every corner you can lay your eyes on. Setting it up on your workbench will not be a hassle as well, you will easily be able to secure it on your workstation and get any medium-scale projects done on the fly.
Highlighted Features
- Full 360-degree rotation on the swing
- A convenient locking mechanism in each 30-degree rotation
- The base features a 360-degree rotation unlike many other vises
- Notably durable
- Substantial clamping force of the jaws
- Wide jaws
Things to Know Before Choosing A Bench Vise
While you are going through the virtually infinite list of bench vises, you will find yourself bewildered in options that will have similar features, if not better. However, things might look the same, but a lot is going on under the hood.
Every vise will serve the same functionality, but there are some things that you should keep in mind before you set out to buy one for yourself. These are as stated:
Jaws
Jaws are the most crucial aspect of a bench vise as they are the only thing that will securely hold the workpiece that you are working on together. Keep in mind how much space you are going to require in between the jaws when you are out in the market.
As most of the jaws of a vise can open up to a specific length and have different width and depth. Also, certain types of jaws can only handle specific workloads. So, if you are going to do hefty works, choose the one that will be able to hold that pressure.
Swivel
Swivel, in case of bench vises, plays a significant role in case of getting your object placed securely in the position you are comfortable enough to work with your workpiece. A full rotation feature makes working with a vise just a walk in the park.
Most of the vises offer a base rotation mechanism along with the swing. The base swivel makes handling the object you are working on much more efficiently. You will find yourself making less frequent position changing because of this feature alone.
Anvil
An extensive and flat anvil comes in handy. Also, if the anvil is durable enough, then you do not even have to think about settling your workpiece on the workbench to hammer it down.
If you work with metal pieces quite often, you will appreciate a vise that features a large and durable anvil. You can gracefully hammer down your workpieces without having to worry about the lifespan of your workbench.
Mount
Usually, most of the bench vises come with two types of mounting options. The first one is the bolt-on type. This type of mounting mechanism allows you to place the bench vise securely on your workstation using four bolts, one in each corner.
The screws will ensure you work on relatively heavy projects without you having to worry about the vise getting lose at any instance. The other type of mounting mechanism is the clamp type. This type will allow you to attach the vise easily on the go.
However, this clamping mechanism will not assure as much secure place as offered by the bolts.
Build Quality
A durable bench vise will last ages and will be able to take anything you can throw at it and still stand straight. As many types of materials are used in case making bench vises.
Even though most of them look like they are constructed of the same material, not all of them live up to expectations. So, in case of choosing a bench vise, you should take the build quality into considerations as well.
Most of them are made of ductile steel or cast iron. Cast iron is sturdy, but they come with the risk of cracking down if huge they go through colossal impact frequently.
Ductile steel, however, they do not come with the same risk as cast iron. So, you can expect a much longer lifespan if you buy a bench vise of this material.
Quick Release
Many of the bench vises in the market are featuring this convenient mechanism. A quick-release lever will let you unlatch the object in between the jaws faster, which means you do not have to rotate the spindle to release the workpiece manually.
However, this feature is not a must-have feature. It is just there to make your work quicker and efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What can I do by using a bench vise?
Ans: A bench vise will allow you to do multiple works with the most efficiency and accuracy. You can work like cutting, drilling, sanding, and even gluing with the help of a bench vise. You can do them without a bench vise. It is a utility, not a necessity.
Q: Do I need to buy replaceable jaws along when I buy a vise?
Ans: No, you do not have to buy any replaceable jaws when you first buy a vise. The jaws that come included with the bench vise are durable enough to last for a while.
You only will need to replace them when they show the signs of wear and tear, and when they do not firmly grip the object that you are placing.
Q: What is a swiveled base? Do I need it?
Ans: A base that can be rotated will offer you extra convenience when you are working. You can also choose the ones that do not feature this mechanism. However, a swiveled base will let you change the position of the object without having to set it loose frequently.
Q: Should I go for medium or high duty?
Ans: It all boils down what type of work you want to do with the bench vise. If your workload is much extensive, then go for the high duty ones other than that you will be all good with a medium-duty bench vise.
Q: What about warranties?
Ans: Different manufacturers will offer different warranty policies. It all depends on which one you want to rely on. So, do your research accordingly and choose the one that is suitable for you.
Final Thoughts
After going through this whole article, you now should have enough knowledge to choose the best bench vise for your projects confidently. We have briefly described the features of each of the recommended seven best bench vises.
Each of the vises will offer you a feature that the specific one is good at doing. They all will be able to hold the item in place and will let you finish your project conveniently. So, you will not go wrong if you pick any of them that seems suitable for your workload, the one whose feature you can utilize the most.
We wish you good luck and hope all your project turns out the way you want them to.
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