The 10 Best Bench Vises

Depth of the Throat:

This demonstrates to you how much space is available within the jaws. The bench vise’s jaws and the inner base are separated by this distance. For large pieces, use a vise with a deep throat and vice versa, based on your project demands. Usually, the bench vises come in the range of 3 to 5 inches of throat depth.

The Jaw Width:

It is the measurement of the jaw length, in inches. For larger objects, you must prefer to use bench vises that have a larger jaw width, most probably around 6 inches, since they not only provide a better grip but also handle larger objects without any difficulty.

Opening of the jaws:

This describes how far the jaws of the bench vise open, the horizontal space between them, that varies from one bench vise to another. You need to check the maximum width of the jaw opening, which must be around 2 to 8 inches, to make sure you can use the bench vise to hold a wide object comfortably.

The angle of Rotation:

The jaws of some bench vise constructions can be adjusted relative to the base. It, therefore, becomes more convenient and flexible, since you can readily work from different angles. All bench vises have a fixed angle that they cannot rotate beyond.

Vises may allow 240-degree or 300-degree rotation at the most, while others won’t even provide rotation capability. Therefore, you need to buy a bench vise that is suitable for your working conditions.

The Serrated Jaws:

As far as jaws go, serrated jaws (with grooves) are a necessity, as they greatly enhance your tool’s ability to grab and lock onto objects.

The Swivel/Locking Base​:

It’s also important to ensure that the bench vise you are purchasing has a lockable swivel base. In some situations, working at odd angles will require you to have a swiveling/locking base.

Materials for Bench Vise:

You must avoid buying aluminum alloy vises at all costs as ease of working and the tool’s durability matter a lot in fine working. Vices should indeed be much lighter, but they are made to be strong enough – if the vice isn’t made of steel or iron, you should not buy the one.

Here are some materials with their benefits for bench vises.

1. Forged Iron:

1. Since it is heavier, it is suitable for heavy-duty tasks.
2. When anvil space is limited and hard materials are being worked on, this is especially beneficial.
3. There are no welding spots on this top-quality bench vise.

2. Rubber and Plastic:

1. The workpiece can be kept in place firmly with such bench vises.
2. This tool works well with weak materials, such as wire and solder. Various other small tasks can also be performed ideally with this tool.
3. Despite being low-cost and lightweight, they aren’t made to last.

3. Cast Iron:

1. The material most frequently used to construct this tool is cast iron.
2. A bench vise made of cast iron has welding spots, a weak spot in the vise. Thus, you should not use a bench vise with multiple welding spots.
3. Despite being lightweight, it is durable and is a good choice for light-duty tasks such as cutting metal pipes or wood. But it is not recommended for heavy-duty use.

Mount Type:

Bolt-on and clamp-on vises are the two most common interface types of bench vises. Before picking the bench vise, you need to know what they are. The Bolt-on type has 4 bolts so you can easily screw it to a desk or wall, or wherever you like.

This keeps the bench vise firmly in place. However, it is important to tighten the screw since the clamping jaws are under a lot of strain when they are tightened. Such bench vises are intended for heavy-duty use.

The clamp-on type is used for desks and small projects where screwing is not possible. Despite its simplicity, it lacks security. However, if you work outside of your home or are on the move, this is a viable option for you.

Size of the Bench Vise:

You should choose the bench vise size according to your workspace and project requirements. The large bench vises take up more space on your work table and are awkward to use. However, using the smaller vises, the rest of the worktable can be used for other projects.

Moreover, smaller vises are easier to maneuver and lighter.

Weight:

Finding the bench vise with the right weight is always a challenge. Vises with a heavyweight are durable, but work tables cannot hold the weight of these tools. It is not appropriate to use lightweight vises for every project. Therefore, you should choose a vise that is heavy enough to support your workbench.

Quality and Durability:

You should always buy a durable bench vise. It is quite possible that you will have to put this bench vise through a lot of stress since you are working with power tools. Thus, you should consider selecting a bench vise made of cast iron.

You can use some models for a long time with no issues since they come with a lifetime warranty. However, some bench vises have an anvil built-in for striking objects if necessary.

PSI:

Pounds per square inch (PSI), is the force at which the clamps grip the workpiece. You should always choose the one that has the highest PSI for best performance.

Price:

Any device, including a bench vise, should be selected based on the price-to-quality ratio. An expensive product may have numerous features and quality construction material, but it might not be right for everyone.

Therefore, select the product that has the most essential features and disregard some optional features. You might opt for powder-coated bench vises in case your workplace has high humidity levels to prevent rust on the bench vise.

A 130-degree swivel base is also included in this bench vise. With a full 2-year warranty, this vise offers a lot for the price.