Best Bench Vise - Top Picks, Reviews & Complete Buying Guide

Bench Vise: The Ultimate Buying Guide

Now, that you have gone through all the above mentioned models, you might have the idea what kind of bench vise you need.

In case you are not sure, we offer you some additional information in the following buyers’ guide section. 

What is a bench wise used for?

Once you take a look at a bench vise, you will get the idea what this piece of equipment can be used for.

The aim of this tool is to hold something in place while you can work on it.

The tasks that can be done while the piece of material is held by the bench vise are:

• Cutting: Cutting on a bench vise can be done both on wooden or metal pieces. The fact is that a bench vise allows you to cut through the material quickly and easily, as you do not have to worry about it moving.
• Drilling: The process of drilling involves great stability and precision of the piece which you are working on. If that material is fixed in place on a bench vise, you can do the drilling without worrying about it moving. Furthermore, drilling requires very specific measurements and markings and a bench vise enables you to do it more accurately and efficiently.
• Sanding: A sanding project can be done quicker using a bench vise. It allows you to apply greater pressure as the material would be stable. Accidental damage is not an issue.
• Gluing: A bench vise can be very useful when gluing materials is in question. Being that a piece would be fixed in place, you can easily apply glue and do not need to move it until it has fully dried.

What types of bench wise are available?

There are two types of bench vise: the woodworking vise and the engineering vise. The first one is designed for holding wood so that you can cut or sand it.

What it has are wooden jaws so that the wood is not damages while held by the bench vise.

The engineering vise has metal jaws, as it is designed for holding metal objects, and this kind of bench vises is heavier.

What are its main features?

The majority of bench vises are quite similar and they are all designed for the same purpose – to hold the materials while the job is done on them.

You know by now that the most important part of any bench vise are the jaws, but there are additional features that can be also very useful.

• Jaws – One of the jaws opens, and the other is stationary, so you can place objects between them. What you have to know is that there are different size and types of jaws. The size of the jaws represents how far they open, while the style of the jaws can be flat and V-jaws. Flat jaws are designed to hold flat objects, while V-jaws are able to hold other round items such as metal tubing. In addition, some vise jaws are replaceable which is very important if you are using the vise frequently.
• Swivel – this feature adds a great deal of flexibility to projects and they are usually around the base. By swiveling an object, you can have a better access to which makes doing the project so much easier.
• Mount type – The most common bench vises have one of two types of mounting interface. You can choose between the bolt-on type and the clamp type. The bolt-on type includes 4 bolts used for attaching the tool on the bench. This way the fixing of your bench vise is great, even though much difficult to install, but you can apply higher pressure on your project. Clamp type bench vises are easier to install, but the security is not that high and it can be used for lighter applications.
• Anvil – If you need an anvil as well, you can get a bench vise which includes one so that you can apply heavy pressure over the anvil instead of the workbench itself. That way no damage would occur to the surface, tools and materials.
• Quick release – Twisting the spindle manually each time you want to release an object from its jaws can be irritating and can slow you down. That is when the quick release comes into play. The process would be quicker and easier if your bench vise includes this feature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What parts should a bench vise have?

The dynamic jaw, the static jaw, the slide and the handle are the basic parts of a bench vise. All the other parts would be considered additional features such as an anvil or a quick release.

Which one is better: a medium-duty or heavy-duty model?

This decision is individual, based on your plans related to the usage of your bench vise. A medium duty bench vise would do the majority of home tasks, while a heavy-duty vise is designed for an extensive use and professionals.

Why is a swivel base important?

A swivel base is there to provide versatility. Its role is to enable the user to set a long piece of wood or metal at an odd angle if he/she has to do a specific cutting or sanding. Some users claim that having a fixed base is much more secure.

What are the types of replaceable jaw?

The replaceable jaw inserts include: screw-on inserts, T-style inserts, and U-style inserts. The installation is easier with some of them than others.

What should I look for?

You can check where the bench vise was manufactured which can show you the quality of its construction. Furthermore, you should think about the shape of the jaws.

A few safety tips

Safety is particularly important when it comes to the usage of bench vises and we offer you some useful tips related to that.

You should not use the jaws of the vise as an anvil as you can damage them. It is suggested to look for a bench vise that has an anvil.

You should wearing protective equipment over the eyes.

You should choose the right vise as heavy-duty work cannot be done on a light vise.

You should securely attach the bench vise to your workbench. If it is unstable, it can cause damage and can even hurt you. Consider getting a bolt-on bench vise.

You should do regular checks and maintain your bench vise better than some other tools.

Conclusion

Yes, you might think that buying a bench vise is an easy job and that you do not need to deliberate on the specifications as it is not such a complicated tool.

But, you are wrong.

As you have seen from all the above mentioned reviews, there is pretty much to think about prior to determining which vise that is going to perfectly suit your needs.

That is why we have offered you this research with a range of models available to suit all budgets and all preferences.

If you need a basic bench vise for light duty DIY, there are many low-cots but still quality models available.

However, those in need of a more quality bench vise for heavy-duty tasks should look for those with excellent features including a swivel base and an anvil.

Now that you are equipped with the best knowledge and guidance, you certainly have a good idea of which one is ideal for you.

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