Getting a bench vise might be one of your first decision in setting up your own small workshop. It’s very useful in securely holding any workpiece while working on it. This can be used for woodworking, metal works, and making all sorts of models.
If you’re planning on buying one, make sure you know how to choose well. There are several things you need to look for when choosing for a good bench vise.
To ease your burden, we have a complete and easy guide for choosing a bench vise in this article. Moreover, to save you some time from market research, we included a comparison chart and in-depth product review for the top 10 best bench vises for 2020. All you need to do is sit back, relax, and read through the whole thing.
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Best Bench Vise (may 2020) – Top 10 Picks & Reviews
| MODEL | PRICE | OVERALL |
| Yost LV-4 | check price | |
| SE 8436MVC | check price | |
| WEN 414CV | check price | |
| Dewalt DXCMWSV4 | check price | |
| Yost 750-DI | check price | |
| Bessey BV-VB | check price | |
| PanaVise 381 | check price | |
| EURO TOOL VIS-350.00 | check price | |
| IRWIN 4935505 | check price | |
| TEKTON 54006 | check price |
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR the BEST BENCH VISE
In order to choose the best bench vise, you need to have sufficient knowledge of the essential features and factors to be considered when buying one. Here are the essential features and factors of a good bench vise.
1. Type
There are three types of bench vises based on its purpose or function.
- Woodworking vise: The specifications of this type is just intended for woodworking. It is used to hold the wood tightly in place for sanding, drilling, cutting, or placing adhesives and joining two pieces together.
- Engineering or Metalworking vise: This one is intended for metal works and they are the toughest type of all. Metalworking vises are used for heavy-duty tasks and provide more pressure for tightly holding the workpiece.
- Jewelry Vise: This type is only intended for light works particularly for making jewelry.
2. Jaws
For this part, you will consider the jaw opening and its style. It is better to choose a jaw which has a wide width or opening in order to accommodate large diameter workpieces. For the jaw style, it entails a vise with a flat jaw or the V-jaws. The flat jaws are intended to hold workpieces with flat sides or body, while the V-type is intended to hold round surfaces.
A replaceable jaw type is also great because if it wears off, then you can easily replace that part only.
3. Mounting
If you intend to do heavy-duty tasks, then a bench vise which is mounted on 4 bolts is ideal. With this, you can do both metal and woodworks. The other mounting type is the clamp bench vise. With this type, you just need to clamp to your workbench or table. The mounting process is easy but lacks pressure if you plan to do heavy works.
4. Swivel
A bench vise which can rotate a 120-degree or 360-degree angle would be great in giving you more access to your workpiece. This feature gives you more work versatility.
5. Anvil
This is the flat metal surface at the rear part of a bench vise. When you need to hammer something, you can do it here.
6. Quick Release
This added feature gives extra convenience for the user. Instead of manually loosening by twisting the handle, you just need to access the quick-release function and your workpiece can be taken out easily. These increases work efficiency.
Top 10 Best Bench Vise reviews
1. Yost LV-4 Home Vise 4-1/2”
check price on amazon
Features:
- Jaw width: 4-1/2”
- Jaw opening: 3”
- Throat depth: 2.6”
- Swivel base: 240-degree
- Pipe capacity: diameter 0.6”-1.85”
- Weight: 10.7 lbs
| pros | cons |
| • Solid steel and cast iron body | • Swivel base turn sometimes is hard, better oil bit |
| • Replaceable jaw | ? |
| • Acme threaded main screw | ? |
| • Swivel base turn | ? |
| • Solid anvil | ? |
Best Choice
This bench vise is both a great option for the price and quality. Yost LV-4 bench vise is an all-purpose vise which can accommodate pipes with diameters between 0.6” to 1.85”. The overall construction of the tool is strong because it is made from cast iron and steel. It can accommodate medium to heavy works because it has a solid base which is mounted on 4 bolts on your working bench or table. There’s added work versatility with its 240-degrees swivel turn which allows greater access of the workpiece. Moreover, it has a replaceable jaw in case it wears off you can easily replace it with a newer one.
There are instances when the swivel point is slightly hard so you need to lubricate it.
2. Parts Express Aluminum Clamp-on Vise 2-1/2”
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Features:
- Jaw width: 3”
- Jaw opening: 2”
- Throat depth: —-
- Swivel base: 360-deg and tilts 45-deg
- Pipe capacity: —
- Weight: 3.2 ounces
| pros | cons |
| • Jaws have a rubberized cover and groove for holding round objects | • You need to securely tighten the mounting or installation process of the vise to your workbench |
| • Swivel base can turn 360-deg and tilt 45-deg | ? |
| • Affordable price | ? |
| • Easy to install or mount | ? |
Best Budget
For the purpose, this bench vise is great for small or light projects in your home or shop. A vacuum vise will be a good complement for this one. Mounting this on your table or workbench is pretty easy for it is just a clamp-on type but holds firmly. Looking into its jaws, one is covered with anti-slip rubber while the other one has a horizontal and vertical groove to hold round objects. There is added work versatility as well with its swivel base turning at 360 degrees and can tilt 45 degrees. Overall built of the tool is decent and it is really affordable.
Remind: You just to tighten the mounting process of the bench vise to ensure it doesn’t fall off.
3. WEN 414CV 4.25” Bench Vise
check price on amazon
Features:
- Jaw width: 4.25”
- Jaw opening: 4.125”
- Throat depth: —
- Swivel base: N/A
- Pipe capacity: —-
- Weight: 19.1 lbs
| pros | cons |
| • The jaw rides smoothly on a guide bar | • Mounting process of the bench vise |
| • Smooth and accurate adjustments of the main screw | ? |
| • Overall body is solid and industrially built from durable powder-coated cast iron | ? |
Industrial Built
The very first thing you will love about this bench vise is its solid and industrial built which can handle medium to slightly heavy metal works. It perfectly fits with a 10” bench top drill press. There is a smooth movement of all parts and tolerances are very accurate and small. The jaw rides smoothly on a guide bar which moves in the x-axis. This is a great tool for investment.
However, the mounting process is slightly difficult because you cannot bolt it down perfectly with 4 bolts. Only 2 bolts can effectively hold it down if you don’t modify your workbench or table.
4. Dewalt DXCMWSV4 4.5” Bench Vise
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Features:
- Jaw width: 4.5”
- Jaw opening: 4.4”
- Throat depth: —-
- Swivel base: 210-deg
- Pipe capacity: —–
- Weight: 18.6 lbs
| pros | cons |
| • Solid vise body made from steel and cast iron | • Do not have a square base, thus, properly bolt down the vise |
| • Replaceable jaw with micro-groove | ? |
| • Smooth main screw adjustment | ? |
| • Solid cast iron base | ? |
| • 3,080 lbs holding force | ? |
| • 210-degree swivel base | ? |
Heavy Duty
If you are looking for a heavy duty bench vise for woodworking and metal works, then this tool is right for you. The whole mechanism of the vise and the jaw can provide around 3,080 lbs of force to hold down workpiece firmly. Its jaw is replaceable, sturdy, and with micro-grooved to better hold things. There is also added work versatility with its 210-degree swivel base turn.
Note that this vise doesn’t have a square base, thus, just locate the front and mount it with 4 bolts on your workbench or table.
5. Yost Vises 750-DI 5” Heavy-Duty Bench Vise
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Features:
- Jaw width: 5”
- Jaw opening: 5”
- Throat depth: 3-1/8”
- Swivel base: 360-degree
- Pipe capacity: 0.125”-3.5”
- Weight: 63 lbs
| pros | cons |
| • 9,000 lbs clamping force | • Poor paint finish |
| • Pull pin 12-position head turn | • The slightly thinner base plate and main tightening handle |
| • 360-degree swivel base | ? |
| • Solid overall built | ? |
| • 50 percent larger size vise | ? |
| • Large pipe diameter capacity | ? |
Multi-Jaw Bench Vise
This is the latest bench vise from Yost. It has a decent strength for it’s made from pressurized cast-iron and steel material. There are several features to like and gripe about this tool. For the positive ones, it was nice and solid jaw which has the largest pipe diameter capacity among its other vises. For heavy duty works, it can effectively hold workpieces with its clamping force of 9,000 lbs. The swivel base can rotate 360-degrees and it has two lockdown pins to secure the position ones set. The pullpin head rotation adds work versatility. Just pull the pin out and you can have 12 different head positions every 30-degrees.
Aside from those benefits, there are things to gripe about this vise. It has poor paint finish. Second, the base plate is thinner compared to cheaper Chinese vises. Third, the main tightening handle is slightly thinner. Despite these gripes, still, it makes a good bench vise.
6. Bessey BVVB Vacuum Base Vise
check price on amazon
Features:
- Jaw width: 2-3/4”
- Jaw opening: 2-3/4”
- Throat depth: —-
- Swivel base: 360-degree
- Pipe capacity: —–
- Weight: 3.35 lbs
| pros | cons |
| • 360-degree swivel base and 90-degree head turn | • The vacuum base function seems to fail sometimes |
| • Ideal for light works and hobbyist | ? |
| • Easy to set up and mount | ? |
| • Durable body | ? |
| • Rubberized jaw | ? |
| • A smooth drive of the jaw | ? |
Amazon’s Choice
This is vise is ideal for light works such as jewelry, sticking things together, and little sanding on small workpieces. It’s very lightweight and the vacuum base is suitable for mounting on sheet metal without a finish. It provides work versatility with its 360-degree swivel base and the vise head can be turned up to 90 degrees. The threaded collar gives decent hold to its ball and socket mechanism. Overall built of this vise is sleek and sturdy.
There are also a few things to gripe about this tool. In order to effectively use the vacuum base, the surface where you’ll be mounting it must be free from any debris. Some units have tightening issues where the handle slides off and doesn’t tighten.
7. PanaVise 381 Vacuum Base PanaVise
check price on amazon
Features:
- Jaw width: 2.5”
- Jaw opening: 2.25”
- Throat depth: 0.5”
- Swivel base: 360-degree
- Pipe capacity: —-
- Weight: 2.8 lbs
| pros | cons |
| • Easy and effective tightening adjustments of the jaw or clamp | • Effectivity of the vacuum base when sideways force is exerted on the workpiece |
| • Single-knob swivel base and head tilt adjustments | ? |
| • Portable and lightweight | ? |
| • Replaceable jaw | ? |
| • Effective clamping force | ? |
Portable and Lightweight
For any electronic geek or hobbyist, this vise is a great option for your works. There are several things to love about this PanaVise. First, hassle-free mounting where it can be done in seconds with its vacuum base mechanism. Just make sure the surface is smooth finish and debris-free. Second, it provides work versatility with its single-knob to control 360-degree swivel rotation and 90-degree head tilt. Lastly, the clamping force is suitable for light works done by hobbyist, electronic works and repairs. The main handle for jaw adjustment is smooth and effectively tightens.
One issue with this PanaVise unit is the effectivity of its vacuum base mechanism to stay firm, particularly when doing sideways force on the workpiece.
8. EURO TOOL VIS-350.00 3” Vise
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Features:
- Jaw width: 3”
- Jaw opening: 3”
- Throat depth: —-
- Swivel base: 360-degree
- Pipe capacity: —-
- Weight: 1.85 lbs
| pros | cons |
| • Clamp-on mounting process | • Limited to light works |
| • Lightweight and portable | ? |
| • Durable built | ? |
| • 360-degree swivel base | ? |
| • Effective tightening of the jaw | ? |
This is another great vise option for light works such as filing, sanding, jewelry, and other small workpieces. When it arrives, the swivel base is stationary and so you need to loosen it with a Philips screwdriver. It will not hurt your table surface upon mounting as there is a rubber cover on the clamp-on mechanism. The main handle for adjusting the main screw is sturdy and the adjustment is smooth. It has a replaceable jaw so you can replace it when it wears off. The overall body of the vise is decent and tough.
9. IRWIN Tools 5” Bench Vise
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Features:
- Jaw width: 5”
- Jaw opening: 5”
- Throat depth: 3”
- Swivel base: 360-degree
- Pipe capacity: 4.9”
- Pipe capacity: 4.9”
| pros | cons |
| • Vise head can be tilted with a secure pin to lock position | • Jaw quality is slightly inferior compared to expensive types |
| • Solid body | ? |
| • Strong clamping force | ? |
| • Smooth main screw adjustment | ? |
| • 360-degree Swivel base with lockdown pin | ? |
Amazon’s Choice
The design and built of this vise is suitable for medium to heavy duty tasks. Its body is made from durable cast iron and steel material which has been pressurized to be more compact and solid. The jaws close very precisely and provide enough clamping force to maintain stability on heavy duty works. The swivel base can rotate 360 degrees and it has a lockdown pin to secure the position. The vise head can also turn and it has a secure pin as well to lock the position. The main screw adjustment for the jaws is smooth and precise.
10. TEKTON 6” Bench Vise 54006
check price on amazon
Features:
- Jaw width: 6”
- Jaw opening: 4-5/8”
- Throat depth: 3”
- Swivel base: 120-degree
- Pipe capacity: —-
- Weight: 38 lbs
| pros | cons |
| • High tensile strength – 30,000 PSI | • Sharp edges of the vise which might cut you |
| • Durable and heavy body | ? |
| • Solid anvil | ? |
| • Solid jaw with diamond grooves | ? |
| • 120-degree swivel base with lockdown pin | ? |
Amazon’s Choice
If you’re usually working on heavy duty tasks, then this vise is a good option. For heavy duty works, it provides high tensile strength approximately 30,000 PSI. The overall construction of this tool is durable considering it’s made from pressurized cast iron and steel. In terms of work versatility, the swivel base can turn 120 degrees and has a lockdown pin to secure the position once set. When you need to hammer something, it has a decent anvil size of 4”x4”. Moreover, the jaw is solid and has diamond grooves for a better grip.
You need to look out for the sharp edges of the vise as it might cut you.
