10 Best Bench Vises (Review) In 2021
Ever since he was a child, Jason has loved repairing, building and creating things. Growing up, he spent all his free time carving intricate woodcraft pieces that soon caught the eye of neighbours and friends. Before he knew it, Jason turned his hobby into a job, earning an income from being his hometowns handyman. Many years have passed since then but Jason’s enthusiasm for woodwork remains the same. He can usually be found in his workshop, crafting furniture or restoring old treasures.
1. Yost LV-4 Home Bench Vise
Key Features
Jaw width: 4-1/2″
Jaw opening: 3″
Throat depth: 2.4″
30, 000 PSI cast iron construction
Holds 0. 6″ D to 1. 85″ D pipes and tubes
Anvil: 1. 75″ x 2″
Swivel base with 4 mounting tabs
Blue powder coat finish
The best of the bench vises we reviewed is this high-quality model from Yost. The Yost LV-4 Home Bench Vise is manufactured from cast iron and with steel jaws, this vise has an improved base design with 4 holes to allow you to mount it to the workbench. This stops it from moving side to side during use. For perfect positioning, the vise will rotate 240 degrees on its base. The main screw is zinc plated and uses an acme thread, whilst the locking C collar allows you to quickly engage and disengage the main screw. The built-in pipe jaws are perfect for holding small pipes with diameters ranging from 0.6″D to 1.85″D. The blue powder coat finish of the bench vise ensures that it is durable and will give you plenty of services, allowing you to take on all kinds of light-duty applications around your home and garage.
Pros
Jaws are a little larger than most vises at this price point
Very strong
Easy to store
Has built-in pipe jaws
Ideal if you have limited space
Great value for money
Cons
Mounting bolts not included
Anvil and tightening bar are small
Slight slope in the pivot
2. TEKTON 4-Inch Swivel Bench Vise
Key Features
30, 000 PSI cast iron construction
120-Degree swivel base
Polished steel anvil
Jaw opening: 4-1/2″
Throat depth: 2-3/8″
Replaceable nonslip serrated steel jaws
Three mounting holes
The TEKTON 4-Inch Swivel Bench Vise comes with three mounting holes to securely anchor it to your workbench, allowing you to work with confidence. This is a medium-duty vise, more than up to the task of assembling parts, doing metalwork, or repairing vehicles. It has a very durable 30, 000 PSI cast iron construction and a 120-degree swivel base, so it’s possible to position your work just where you need it, with lockdown nuts holding it securely in place. The steel jaws are serrated and non-slip, holding your workpiece firmly in the desired position, and they can also be replaced if needed. In addition, this vise includes an anvil, providing an additional surface for any hammering work you may have. The perfect alignment of the jaws and the smooth operation of this vise make it a pleasure to use.
Pros
Heavy and well built
Very smooth action with no slop
Jaws align perfectly
The swivel base allows for perfect positioning
Screw glides smoothly without binding
Good value for money
Cons
No mounting bolts supplied
Template provided for installation is inaccurate
Arrives with excessive shipping grease which can take time to remove
Tightening rod is quite small
3. Olympia Tools 38-604 Bench Vise
Key Features
20,000 PSI cast iron construction
4-Inch jaw width and jaw opening
2-1/4-Inch throat depth
Heavy reinforced 4-lug base
Anvil horn for shaping
Heavy-duty machined spindle and hand
Replaceable steel jaw faces
270-degree swivel base
Our top pick, if you’re looking for a great bench vise at a budget price, is the Olympia Tools 38-604 Bench Vise. It may be low in price but it has some excellent features including a reinforced 4 lug base for security and stability as you work, a polished anvil with an anvil horn for shaping, hardened steel jaw faces that can be replaced if necessary, and permanent pipe jaws. A 270-degree swivel base allows you to position your work exactly as needed and this vise is very durable, with a tough powder-coated finish. The heavy-duty spindle handle is extremely strong, with a spindle guard offering protection against dirt and chips.
Pros
Comes with permanent pipe jaws
Compact size ideal for small spaces
Strong spindle handle
Nice polished anvil top
Durable, heavy-duty construction
Good value for money
Cons
Tension spring is tight, making one-handed operation difficult
Lower swivel lock does not lock particularly tightly
No mounting hardware supplied
Jaw alignment is not perfect
4. Pony Jorgensen Medium Duty Woodworker’s Vise
Key Features
7-inch jaw width and 8-inch maximum opening capacity
Made from cast iron and steel
Solid steel dog in the front jaw
Designed to mount to the face of a wood workbench
Double guide bars
Designed for medium-duty home, shop, or professional use
The Pony Jorgensen Medium Duty Woodworker’s Vise is ideal for medium-duty home and shop use and designed to be mounted to the face of woodwork benches, with the top edges of the jaws flush with the top of the bench. There is a solid steel dog in the front jaw that holds oversized work securely on the bench top when the vise is used in conjunction with a bench stop. An Acme thread main screw and twin guide bars of plated steel allow for smooth operation and the grey iron castings have an orange baked enamel finish. This is a high-quality bench top vise, with continuous screw action and double guide bars. There are also holes drilled into the jaw for you to protect your work by attaching wood facings (not included).
Pros
Great clamping force
Can handle oversized work when used with a bench stop
Pre Drilled holes in the jaw for wood facings to protect your work
Smooth operation
Installation is simple
Sturdy and durable
Cons
No installation instructions
No installation hardware provided
Metal dog is somewhat flimsy
5. Yost Heavy-Duty Industrial Bench Vise Tool
Key Features
Exclusive interlocking gear base
360-degree rotating base
Jaw width of 6.5″
Jaw opening of 5.5″
Throat depth of 3.75″
Pipe Capacity: 1/8″ x 2.5″ D
Replaceable hardened steel serrated jaws
30,000 psi cast iron construction
Offering the best value for money of all the bench vises in our review is the Yost Heavy-Duty Industrial Bench Vise Tool, which features an exclusive interlocking gear base that attaches it very securely to your workbench or mounting area, enabling you to work with confidence. Providing the high quality you expect from Yost vises, this model has a smooth 360-degree rotating base that you can lock down at two points, plus a high clamping force of 4,950 lb and torque rating of 116 ft-lb. That makes this light-duty vise more than capable of strongly gripping anything from metalwork to vehicle repairs. It also has a large capacity, with replaceable serrated top jaws made of hardened steel and grooved pipe jaws that can hold round or irregularly shaped objects firmly in place.
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Pros
Large capacity
Cast iron and steel construction
Very strong clamping force
Includes pipe jaws
Base rotates a full 360 degrees
‘U’ channel bar provides extra durability
Large anvil
Cons
No mounting hardware included
Rubber washers in the handle are too loose to stay in place and stop the handle from sliding
Template provided for mounting is inaccurate
6. Forward 5-Inch Heavy Duty Bench Vise
Key Features
Heavy-duty vise
360-degree swivel base
PSI 60,000 ductile iron construction
5-inch jaw width
5-inch jaw opening
2.6-inch throat depth
Replaceable jaws with microgroove tooth space
Self align pipe jaws
This multi-purpose bench vise is built for heavy-duty applications including angle grinding and cutting. The Forward 5-Inch Heavy Duty Bench Vise has a large anvil and high clamping force, plus a good throat depth and wide jaw opening to enable it to hold securely on to your workpiece. Its 360-degree swivel base allows you to position your work exactly as needed, and the head of the vise can also be rotated up to 360 degrees. It’s built to last, with durable ductile iron construction.
Pros
High clamp force
Large capacity
High strength ductile iron construction is very durable
Large anvil
Better grip provided by microgroove tooth space
Head of the vise can be rotated by 360 degrees for versatility
Cons
No installation hardware provided
Pipe jaws cannot be replaced
7. HENGDA Mini Table Clamp Small Bench Vice
Key Features
Made of cast iron
Swivel lock clamp
Carbon steel jaws
1.2-inch jaw width
Non-slip clamping
Suitable for work surfaces up to 1.2 inches thick
Not all vise tools need to be big and strong – sometimes a mini vise is just what you need! If you’re looking for something that will hold small items like jewelry or electronics, or for something to help with model making, then HENGDA Mini Table Clamp Small Bench Vice is definitely your best option. Despite its small size, this is a strong vise made from cast iron. You can easily attach it to any desktop or work surface with a maximum thickness of 1.2 inches and it’s just as easy to remove. It clamps firmly in place and is nice and stable when in use. It’s also light, portable, and easy to store. Its jaws open to a width of 1.2 inches and are made of high-quality carbon steel.
Pros
Strong and durable
Stable when in use
Lightweight
Portable
Easy to assemble and disassemble
Operates smoothly
Cons
Some sharp edges
Jaw pads are flexible and occasionally pop off
Only capable of relatively light-duty applications
8. Wilton Tools 6-Inch Shop Bench Vise
Key Features
30,000 PSI gray cast iron body
360-degree swivel base
4 mounting posts
Easy gliding U channel
Rubber pinch safety guards
Lifetime warranty
If you’re looking for a robust, heavy-duty vise that will give you lots of service, then this may be the best bench vise for you! The Wilton Tools 6-Inch Shop Bench Vise is built to last, with a durable 30,000 PSI gray cast iron body. It has a large capacity, with jaws that open 6 inches making it more than capable of standing up to a range of tasks. It remains stable even when put to the test, as its double lock downs and 4 lug base design make it incredibly secure. As you would expect from a quality bench vise, this is a heavy model, but this only goes to reinforce the fact that it won’t need replacing anytime soon! A lifetime warranty on this great quality bench vise allows you to make your purchase with absolute confidence.
Pros
Robust and durable
Comes with built-in pipe jaws
Mounts securely and provides great stability
Swiveling base is very secure, with double lockdown
Large capacity – jaws open 6 inches
Operates very smoothly
Cons
Excessively heavily greased for shipping
Swivel locking handle is a bit small
The pipe jaws are rough cast
9. Forward 8-Inch Bench Vise
Key Features
Strong 60,000 PSI ductile iron construction
360-degree swivel base
Chrome-plated handle with rubber washers to prevent sliding
8-inch jaw width and jaw opening
3.5-inch throat depth
Replaceable serrated jaw plates
Dual locking nut for secure installation
The best wood bench vise in our premium category is this beast from Forward, which has a jaw width and jaw opening of 8 inches and a throat depth of 3.5 inches. Tough and durable, this heavy-duty vise is made from high strength ductile iron. The Forward 8-Inch Bench Vise has a generously sized anvil and replaceable serrated jaws made from carbon steel. Another great feature is its built-in high strength pipe jaws, that can accommodate pipes with diameters ranging from 1″ – 2 3/4″. The chrome-plated handle uses rubber washers to prevent it from sliding and to reduce noise and the vise has a 360-degree swivel base that allows you to position your work just where you need it. There’s also a large, 3.7-inch x 3.7-inch anvil for tapping work.
Pros
Large capacity
Comes with built-in pipe jaws
High clamp force of 5,500 lbs
Tough and durable
Good sized anvil
Perfect jaw alignment
Cons
No installation hardware provided
Not powder coated
10. WEN 5-Inch Heavy Duty Cast Iron Bench Vise
Key Features
5 inch crosscut jaws that open to 6 inches
36, 000 PSI cast iron construction
Over 2950 lbs of clamp force
Built-in anvil
Base swivels 120 degrees
Three-point attachment to work surface
One of the best heavy duty bench vises on the market is this model from Wen, with its 5 inches, crosscut jaws that open up to 6 inches wide. The WEN 5-Inch Heavy Duty Cast Iron Bench Vise is made from tough and rugged powder coated 36, 000 PSI cast iron, it offers you more than 2950 pounds of clamp force to securely hold your workpiece in place. It comes with an in-built anvil measuring 3. 4 by 3. 5-inches – ideal if you need a flat surface to put in use your hammer for hammering work. To enable you to position your work correctly it has a base that swivels more than 120 degrees. There are three mounting holes to attach it to your work surface so that it feels stable and secure when you use it.
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Pros
Solid, heavy construction for this price point
Anvil is a good size and provides extra space for hammering jobs
Stable during use
Large capacity
Excellent value for money
Perfect jaw alignment
Cons
Angle of rotation is fairly limited compared to other bench vises
No mounting hardware included
Features To Consider With Bench Vises
Jaw Width
This is a measurement of how wide the jaws of the vise are and represents the actual area that your vise will be in contact with the piece you are working on. This means it is very important to think about when choosing the best bench vise for your needs. If the objects you need to hold are large and heavy, then the jaws will need to be wide enough to clamp on to them securely. Most bench vises come with jaw widths of either 4, 5, 6 or 8 inches. For most general, household or DIY applications, jaws with a width of 4 or 5 inches will be perfectly adequate. For heavy-duty or industrial applications it would be best to look for a bench vise with a larger width.
Jaw Opening
The width to which the jaws of your bench vise will open is a critical point to consider when making your purchase. You need to think about the size and type of the pieces you will be working with and choose accordingly. For example, for small items, you will not need the jaws to open particularly widely - but if you need to use your bench vise to clamp on to large metal pipes, then you will need a significantly larger opening size. Always check the specifications carefully before making your selection.
Throat Depth
The throat depth of a bench vice is usually proportionate to the width of the jaws. It is measured from the top of the jaws to the top of the slide beneath and the longer the throat depth, the larger the objects you can hold securely. This is obviously another important factor to take into consideration as you choose the best vise for your home or workshop as it limits the size of the objects you can work with.
Swivel Rotation
Some bench vises will swivel to a certain extent and the larger the angle to which they will rotate, the better! Of course, the very best vise benches will rotate a full 360 degrees. Not only does the swivel rotation of the vise allows you to position your workpiece just where you need it, but it means the vise is able to accommodate oddly shaped items far more easily.
Size
The overall size of the vise bench you choose is important for several reasons. As mentioned above, the sizes of the specific parts are essential in terms of thinking about the object you'll be working with. But the overall size of the vise is important in terms of the space you have available for it. If your workspace is limited, then look for a compact vise. A small vise won't take up too much room on your work surface, but will also be easier to store if leaving the vise permanently mounted just isn't an option.
Mounting
When choosing the best bench vise for your home, check the specifications for mounting. If your vise does not come with the necessary mounting hardware you will need to buy this separately, so make sure that you know just what you need. If you decide to go for a particularly heavy vise, then it is crucial that you make sure your work bench or surface is strong enough to support its weight. This is even more important when you consider that - if your vise comes with an anvil - you are likely to be doing some heavy pounding on it!
PSI
The tensile strength of bench vises is expressed in PSI (pounds per square inch). The higher the PSI number, the stronger the vise. Typically, cast iron bench vises have PSI numbers at the lower end of the scale (generally from around 20,000-60,000 PSI). A vise made of forged steel will likely have a much higher PSI, sometimes in excess of 90,000.
Bench Vise FAQ
Q: What are some common vise uses?
A bench vise is a very useful piece of equipment and once you have one you'll wonder how you ever managed without it! Once secured to your bench, the vise can be used for all kinds of woodwork and metalwork, including planning, sawing, finishing, sanding, drilling, and welding. Our review even contains details of a mini vise, that can be used for finer work like making jewelry or repairing electronics. Some vises come with little extras that make them even more useful - in fact, a couple of bench vises we reviewed had a built-in pipe jaw, which is useful for holding both pipes and other rounded objects. Vises may also include an anvil, which provides you with an extra flat surface on which to carry out any hammering work you may have.
Q: Where should a bench vise be placed?
A bench vise should be placed at the foremost right-hand corner of the bench (if you are right-handed) and at the foremost left-hand corner of the bench (if you are left-handed). It's important when installing your vise to make sure that it won't interfere in any way with the legs of your bench. Whilst it's possible to install your bench vise in the middle of the bench, the corner is best. And it's essential to use the corner of your bench vise swivels, otherwise, you won't be able to make full use of this handy feature. If you buy a stationary vise, it's best to allow the jaw face to overhang the bench a little. This is because some larger pieces of wood might hang below the tabletop when clamped into position.