There isn’t much complexity in selecting the best vice. You need to identify a few features that are crucial to you, then go along from there. The factors below cover information that you can use to select the best bench vice for your workshop or home use. Size of the vice The Irwin Record No.3 Mechanics Vice can handle light to medium applications without distorting, even under intense pressure. Because the strength of the construction materials is essential to the shelf life of the vice, grey iron casting is not a bad choice and is what makes this vice so reliable and perfect for professional use. A vice features jaws to clamp/hold onto an object. One of the jaws is attached to a threaded screw that has a nut that keeps it in place. By winding or unwinding the threaded screw, you can open or close the clutching jaws. In most cases, the jaws have indentations or patterns to offer a firm grip on the object being worked on. What can you use a bench vice for? There are jaws that are fixed and will be used until they wear out. Alternatively, there are models that offer replaceable or removable jaws to make way for other applications. These replaceable blades are recommended for vices that are used frequently. This is because wear and tear are higher in units that are constantly used. Secure clamps and an additional anvil Vice clamps to work surface and is not permanently fixed with bolts meaning it can be fastened to any surface.

The EBERTH 5″ Cross Sliding Drill Press Vice is for those who want to explore milling and precise drilling applications. You need to look at the amount of space that you have before purchasing this machine, it is not so small. Comfort is the primary concern for manufacturers because consumers have become more aware. Smoothly finished handles ensure that your hands do not get too much bruising while the structural finish prevents the vice from ruining your surfaces. We like the removable jaws and the comfortable handles. For any user, this is a very easy machine to use. The overall price of the unit is fair and durability is promised so we say why not? Below you will find each vice reviewed in detail, as the size of vice needed can vary, depending on what you intend to use it for. We have tried to include the best vices of varying sizes so that hopefully, you will find a vice that is perfect for your own needs.

An anvil is usually present in models to provide a user with a surface for hammering. If the size of the anvil matters to you, be sure to select a model with a sizeable one. Be sure to note that it will be a tad heavier. The Stanley 183069 Multi Angle Hobby Vice is a lightweight model at only 1.6kg, that measures 20 x 84 x 21.5cm. This makes it compact enough to carry around or store easily and is designed (as Stanley suggests in the name) as a Hobby Vice making it the perfect addition to any DIYer’s list of tools. There are some models that offer warranties depending on the make. Warranties are effective tools to have, especially if you are experiencing problems with the unit. The manufacturer will be able to give you viable solutions to the problems. If one is not provided, it does not mean that the bench vice is of inferior quality, however, the best vice should offer some guarantee for its quality. The Stanley 183065 4 inch MaxSteel Light-Duty Vice is a simple vice to use but has the quality we have come to expect from Stanley. You can trust the construction of this vice because it is made of cast iron, unlike some cheaper models that are made using steel.

The Irwin Record No.3 Mechanics Vice is a good quality vice that is probably one of the best vices available in terms of strength and quality, however, it is expensive for the casual user. This is meant for those who have a bit of money to spend on a good vice and need something that can be used under immense pressure. At 27kg it’s not light but being made from cast iron this is not surprising, the chrome-plated design prevents the unit from rusting and corroding for prolonged life and improved quality. ProsThe material that has been used to construct the vice is durable and has been treated to prevent rust/corrosion. The maximum cross stroke is estimated at 110mm while the jaw width is 125mm. The vice has a maximum span of 98mm. A 2 year warranty is supplied with the vice which is a bonus. Pros Overall, this is probably the best vice available at the price. It isn’t the cheapest but it offers better value for money than some of the other models we compared it against. Many of which are much more expensive, however, the quality seems the same all things considered.

Place a washer on the underside of the workbench before bolting and nutting the vice into position.The EBERTH 5″ Cross Sliding Drill Press Vice is highly recommended for milling applications or precision drilling. This kind of vice basically combines the use of a cross table and vice. It is perfect for workshops and well as for any DIY enthusiasts. The Stanley 183068 MaxSteel Heavy-Duty Bench Vice offers more holding space than the other Stanley models featured in this review. The vice offers 150mm (6 inches) of holding power which is wide enough for most woodwork applications, as well as metal pipes etc. The Rolson 60mm Swivel Table Vice would make a good choice for small tasks and is great to have around the workshop. The unit only weighs around 1.7kgs, which is not very heavy, so it does have its limitations.