When it comes to the best bench vise, there are a lot of different factors you need to take into account. You want to find a model that is going to be tough enough to handle the jobs you need it to, but also one that is going to be comfortable and easy for you to use. In this blog post, we will take a look at 5 different models that are worth your money. We will discuss the pros and cons of each one so that you can make an informed decision before purchasing!
Since I was a young boy I have used bench vise in my father’s garage and I think I’m not the only one here.
I used it for so many things, like bicycle repair, welding (yes, I started to weld at age of 6), I also made U type metal wire things for my hand-made slingshots so I can shoot at my friends when we played “war” games at the abandoned building. Ohh the memories.
As I own the house now I would like to talk about bench vises. I’m facing a little issue right now because I’m building a working table, same as WranglerStart here and now I need a new bench vise.
I have two options, restore the old soviet time bench vise or get a new one. As readers won’t be able to get a great, old, high-quality bench vise everywhere, I’ll talk about new bench vises.
If you scroll down, just after the Top 10 Bench Vise List you can read my buying guide so you can better understand what kind of a vise you need.
1. Wilton 11106 Bench Vise – Best Under $100
A hundred dollars is not much, especially for a tool that you will beat and use as hard as no other tool. Wilton 11106 is not a small vise, not at all, but if your table allows, put as big vise as you can, there is no downside of having a large vise.
So what about this vise. It has 6-inch jaws, with one downside – jaw texture is very irregular and not as good as you wished, but that’s only if you need to use vise for small stuff (check the buying guide before deciding how big vise you need).
I really liked that it has changeable jaws, so you can buy Ion magnetic jaws or any other brand if you wear these out.
The vise is made from very durable and hard materials and the vise turns 45″ on each side. It does not turn 360″ tho, but if you put this in the corner of your bench, there is no need for a 360″ turning.
Also, the thing I REALLY like is the anvil working space. It’s large and sturdy, just like it needs to be.
Pros
- Large anvil space
- It turns. Only 45″ on each side but still turns
- Costs a fraction of other same sized vises
- Made from sturdy materials
- It’s cheap. Ohh I already said that
- It’s heavy
- Replaceable Jaws
Cons
- Jaws are not as flat as I would like them to be
- Jaws can leave marks on softer materials
- No 360-degree rotation as many people need it
- Lockdown bolts are quite low quality and usually does not lockdown
2. Capri Tools 10516 Ultimate Grip Forged Steel Bench Vise
Capri Tools 10516 is the bench vise I got for my table. It’s the best, seriously. It’s forged steel, with changeable jaws, also with pipe holder jaws. It turns 360 degrees and is unbelievably sturdy.
Forged steel is 3-4 times harder and tougher than cast iron, so you can use all the force you have to clamp stuff. Also, a lifetime warranty helps a lot, it means they know what they are doing.
The vise opens up to 9 inches, but the safe size is 8, which is amazing. The amazing thing about this bench vise is that it’s not too big and bulky. It’s slim and compact which makes this vise to be very good for small table owners who still need durable bench vise. I also love the anvil spot, it’s large and great if you are welding something on the vise.
Pros
- Large anvil space
- 360-degree turning feature
- Costs 3 times less than large brand vises
- Lifetime warranty
- Not bulky, but slim and reasonably sized
- 8inch jaw opening
- Replaceable Jaws
- Forged steel
Cons
- You need to grease the slider a bit, it’s not smooth out of the box
3. RIDGID 27848 XF-50 – A Bench Vise for Beginners
RIDGID 27858 is a German-made vise. Fit and finish for this vise is perfect so if you need good looking and also amazing quality bench vise, this one is for you.
This vise is quite large and heavy and with quick release bolts which are also high quality. The good thing is that this vise is forged steel, not some chinesium you can see on cheaper vises.
The jaws are really smooth but sadly, not changeable. The vise turns 360 degrees and is amazingly smooth. This vise will be good for people who need some good looking, but also a vise who they can give to their children when the time comes.
This is definitely the multi-generation bench vise. It also features a steel handle with anti-pinch rings that offer increased strength and eliminates pinches.
More about features – forged pipe jaws for hard clamping. I really love the quick release function so if you need to open or close jaws fast, you can just flip a trigger and move the jaws.
It has oversized, hardened jaws and anvil to provide greater clamping and working surfaces
Pros
- Larger anvil space
- 360-degree turning feature
- Lifetime warranty
- Heavy and bulky, just like professionals need
- Forged steel
Cons
- Non-replaceable jaws
- Not the smoothest screw inside the vise
4. Yost Vises 750-DI
Yost Vises 750-DI is quite an interesting bench vise, it turns in all kinds of ways and is a multiuse vise. You can clamp tubes or pieces of metals horizontally and vertically, you can also turn this vise 360 degrees. It is multi-use because it has 3 types of jaws (all changeable if they are worn out).
It’s made from ductile iron and the main screw has been made larger as it was the weak point in the previous models. If anyone cares about clamping force, it’s over 9000 pounds.
5-inch jaws are made from hardened steel so they will not wear out that easily, but also gives durability and good grip. Jaws open full 5 inches and depth is 4 inches, which is usually enough for small homeowner jobs.
This vise is industrial strength vise but will be perfect also for small garage owners who need a multiuse vise. It’s also very heavy, more than 63 pounds, but in my opinion, weight is a good thing in vises.
Pros
- 360-degree turning feature
- Multiuse vise
- Heavy
- Made from ductile iron which is better than cast iron
- Replaceable all 3 jaws
Cons
- Fit and finish are not the best
- The swivel base is hard to turn sometimes
5. Grizzly G7062 Multi-Purpose 5-Inch Bench Vise
Grizzly G7062 bench vise was my other choice to get for my working table as it’s heavy, multi-use, and made from cast iron. It also has all the features guy wants, tube clamp, changeable jaws, turning base, and turning working space. Jaws open 5-inches which is OK for most cases and it opens really smooth, like butter.
The best thing about this bench vise is that jaws rotate. It means you can work with pipe jaws, then rotate and use normal jaws, so if you need to cut a pipe, this bench vise works for that great.
I would suggest installing this vise in the corner of your table because it turns 360 degrees and is rotating.
Anvil space is not the biggest, but enough to harden your welding material. Also, I like the color, it nice right?
Pros
- 360-degree turning feature
- Jaws are turning too
- Multiuse vise
- Made from cast iron which is quite hard material
- Replaceable all 3 jaws
- Nice finish and color
- Good pricing
Cons
- It’s not recommended to use with really large jobs as the screw is not the best
- Could be better quality internal materials
6. Yost Vises ADI-8 Bench Vise
If you are searching for a simple, heavy, high-quality 8-inch bench vise and don’t want to spend a monthly income on it then Yost Vises ADI-8 bench vise is for you. For under 400$ this is a stealthy deal!
This bench vise is made from ADI (ductile iron) which means it will be at least 4 times stronger than cast iron or steel bench vises. I would call this combination the strongest bench vise on the market.
Casting force over 20 000 pounds and torque over 475 Ft-Lb and 8-inch jaw opening, together with 9.5-inch throat depth this is what I call multiuse commercial bench vise. Even the largest materials will hold in this bench vise without any problem.
360-degree interlocking swivel base with geared lockdowns for proper adjustments. Also, all the jaws can be replaced. A large anvil space will be a good thing for those who weld a lot.
This is an incredibly well-made bench vise with no welding spots. The color finish is really nice and will stand out in your garage.
Pros
- 360-degree turning feature
- You can get many sizes
- Made from ADI
- Replaceable jaws
- Nice finish and color
- The vise is made without welding, so no weak spots
- Limited, but a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not the cheapest vise in the market for this size
- If this would be made in the US, people would buy it 10x more
- Some vises come with not so good color quality
7. DeWalt DXCMBV6 Bench Vise
I’m a big DeWalt fan, I have a Dewalt Cordless ratchet, cordless drill, and 10 more Dewalt Tools and I was quite surprised that DeWalt also makes bench vises.
It’s a very heavy and sturdy bench vise with grippy jaws which are great because they are quite flat and won’t leave marks on your material. But there is a small catch, the jaws are sharp, so it’s better to flatten them out with an angle grinder or change them to plastic ones.
The vise is made from cast iron which is not good but also not terrible. But if you look at the price tag, you will understand that the material does not matter here. I really like that there is quite a large anvil space. It means that for this price tag it’s really good vise for small garages for people who need it for not so serious jobs.
The swivel base turn’s 120 degrees which is not as good as 360 degrees, but it’s better than nothing. Did I mention that the jaws are 6 inches wide?
Pros
- 120-degree turning feature
- Replaceable jaws
- Nice finish
- Brand Name
- Limited, but a lifetime warranty
- Price is more than good
Cons
- If this would be made in the US, people would buy it 10x more
- Jaws are a little bit too sharp
8. Wilton WIL11128BH Bench vise with a hammer
Wilton WIL11128BH is quite an interesting bench vise. It’s a special edition and comes with a hammer. It features a 180-degree swivel base with a quick lockdown.
It’s made from the heavy-duty cast but comes with a price – you can’t change jaws, the tube clamping is not very well made and it’s not as good as old American-made bench vises. But it also comes with a great market price and you get a 4lb 12-inch hammer with it.
The anvil space is quite large and the vise is well made, the color looks premium and they did not save money on internal parts.
Pros
- 120-degree turning feature
- Nice finish and Color
- Comes with a hammer
- Limited, but a lifetime warranty
- Price is more than good
Cons
- Jaws are not changable
- It does not turn 360 degrees
- Some people broke them in a second usage
9. Wilton 63302 6-Inch Shop Vise
As the title says, Wilton 63302 is a perfect vise for shops and car repair services. It meets all the requirements, it has 6inch jaws which are changeable, a pretty large anvil space, it rotates 360 degrees, and is made of premium materials.
The 4-lug base design helps to keep the vise on the table if you work with really large materials. The U channel helps to open and close the vise easily.
The bad thing is that swivel locks are really small and the pipe holder is really rough so not suitable for small or soft materials. Other than that it’s the same as the USA-made Wilton, but 3-4 times cheaper and the quality is not worse, not at all.
Pros
- 360-degree turning feature
- Nice finish and Color
- The U-type channel is my favorite because it’s the most durable
- Price/performance is amazing, for this price you get a high quality vise
Cons
- Jaws are not changeable
- Pipe jaws are too rough
- Swivel base locks are quite small for this vise
10. Irwin Tools 4935505 5-Inch Multi-Purpose Bench Vise
Irwin Tools 4935505 is a 5-inch bench vise that is similar to Yost Vises 750-DI. but Irwin changed the thing I considered bad in Yoast vise and sold it with the same price tag, so it means that this bench vise is a better deal than 750-DI.
This vise is amazing for home or small garage users. Same as Yost, this one has 3 jaws, two for pipes and main jaws that are changeable, except for middle pipe jaws. The swivel base turns 360-degrees and the weight combination is making this vise really stable and fun to work with.
The whole vise is made from cast iron which is not the most durable material but it makes the vise lighter and easier to manage.
The jaw rotation is quite smooth and they look sturdy so you can safely work with pipes from all sides. The anvil space is really large and feels nice to hit it with a hammer. Jaw material is really good, not so sharp and not so soft, it does not leave any marks in the material.
Pros
- 360-degree turning feature
- Multiuse vise
- Replaceable jaws
- Better quality than it’s competitor Yost 750-DI
Cons
- Made from cast iron, so not so durable
- The swivel base is hard to turn sometimes
How to choose the perfect bench vise?
To better tell me how to choose a bench vise, I’ll draw a diagram.
Components of a Bench Vise
As you can see in a diagram a bench vise mostly contains a swivel base, anvil space, jaws, two handles, and a base. As simple as it may look, it’s not that easy to choose bench vise anyway, because there is also a lead screw, handle material, and body which is the most important part. Also, good anvil space is important if you like to weld or just use that space to nail something together. I’ll tell you more about each of these parts and how to choose the best of them.
Jaws
One of the most important things in a bench vise. You see, if you choose too soft jaws, they will break down easily. If you choose too hard jaws, they will leave marks in your material.
If you choose no-changeable jaws, after they will break, you won’t be able to change them and you will have to buy a new bench vise.
Remember, jaws are important because that’s the stuff that holds your material in place!
The thing is why I don’t even look at non-changeable jaws is that when years go these jaws are getting dull or sometimes you hit them with a hammer accidentally and they are not screwing together precisely and it gets kinda annoying.
What I did for my bench vise, I changed them to plastic ones (buy here). They are cheap, and safe to use on all kinds of materials and if they break down, I can just change them. That’s also one of the pros of changeable jaws.
Also with rubber, you can get an even better grip than the metal because the material bends over the rubber and the grip is even better. It won’t work if you need to bend material or really move it, then better get also a pair of metal ones.
So here are some pin-points for you to remember
- Choose changeable jaws
- Check out the material so it meets your requirements
- Choose at least 4-inch jaws otherwise, you will just spend your money on a useless tool
- Get rubber plastic jaws if you want to work with soft materials
- Get also extra metal jaws in case you break the default ones.
- Before buying check if the jaws are closing without any gaps and they should make a flat surface.
Pipe Jaws
This is not that important but keep in mind that this thing is amazing if you work with piping. Pipe jaws are exactly what the title says – small jaws in the middle of the vise where you can clamp together pipes and cut, weld, and screw them without movement.
On high-eng vises, these jaws are also changeable but that’s the least important thing if you ask me. They rarely break down and if you don’t use them daily, they will work fine till the end of your life.
I really like pipe jaws because I weld a lot and it’s amazing that you can hammer down your pipe without any movement. I have two bench vises on my workbench and I clamp my pipe on each side then it’s steady as a house. So if you work with pipes, definitely choose a bench vise with pipe jaws and for future, also get changeable pipe jaws.
Slide
The slide is the thing that moves inside out when you screw the bench vise and it means it’s important.
There are several types of slides but the one you can see in the photo is the most common as it’s the cheapest. Some cheaper vises also have round-type slider but in my experience square are more durable.
The one most important thing to remember about the slider is that it needs to go in and out without any problems. IF it starts to stop and goes hard in or out, then take it apart and clean it and grease it.
Tools will work as long as you treat them well!
Lead Screw
In most bench vises the main screw will be hidden, but some cheapest vises will have it open like in this product in the photo. The thing is about the main screw that it should be from a really high-quality material otherwise its threads can break down and then you need to repair your vise.
The screw is what holds most of the strength when you clamp it down.
Handle
This is also an important thing in the vise as some bench vises come with a handle which is so thin that you break it in the first week. Also, a thing to look out for is to be able to move the handle like it’s not in the fixed position.
Some bench vises come with fixed handles and they are the worst! I suggest choosing premium-grade steel so you won’t bend it you should not be afraid to clamp it down hard.
Also, check out if it’s not too short, I had to put a large tube on top of my handle because it was too short to clamp down enough. As you can see in the photo, that handle is way too thin and short to be useful! Avoid that.
Anvil Spot
Most bench vises come with an anvil place and this is the thing I appreciate the most! It’s so great to have a place where to straighten your nails or flatter just welded materials. I also use an anvil spot for hardening just welded materials.
I would suggest choosing a bench vise with anvil space because usually, people are hammering the jaw place which is not good and could break the jaws.
Base
This is the main thing to look out for when you are buying a bench vise. Without a high-quality base, your bench vise is nothing. The base holds the bench vise in place, it holds the tension of clamping, it holds the anvil hitting and holds jaws in place, it must be durable!
There are some bases called “vacuum bases” which hold on to a base with a vacuum but avoid those, they work only for some small repair jobs and nothing serious.
Definitely choose a swivel base, which means it will turn around, usually 180 or 360 degrees. 360 degrees is nice, but I’m 99% of the time OK with 180 degrees turning.
The swivel base also is nice because it gives you flexibility if you are working with non-standard materials and large tubings. Especially if you are cutting a pipe or sanding down a piece of wood.
To check what kind of base you should have, I have written down the material list below.
Bench Vise Materials
The beginning of a bench vise started in wood, then cast iron, then forged steel, and then even titan. But the tasks remain the same!
Cast Iron
Cast Iron is the most commonly used material. It’s cheap, quite durable, and okay with most of the jobs, but it comes with a price – it’s really bad for heavy-duty tasks over time. It gets cracks and slowly falls apart if you clamp it too hard or hit it with a hammer too hard.
Cast Iron Bench Vises usually have welding spots which are the weakest part of the vise. The more welding spots, the more you should avoid that bench vise.
Cast Iron bench vises are also lighter and are more versatile. So if you need a bench vise for light usages, like cutting wood or a metal pipe, don’t be afraid of cast iron, it’s not bad material. If you are a hard user, take a look at other materials!
Forged Iron
The best quality bench vises and this is what you should get. It’s forged not cast, it usually does not have welding spots and it’s heavy as hell like bench vise should be. This is the material you should be looking for when choosing a high-quality bench vise for the hard-working.
Especially if you are working with hard materials and using anvil space a lot. I have one bench vise from 1955 which was used by my grandfather, father, and now me. Guess what, it’s working perfectly fine!
Rubber and Plastic
These are bench vises which you can choose if you are working with weak materials, like soldering, watcher, or other small stuff and you need just to hold them in place.
Mount type
There are usually two mount interface types. Bolt-on type and clamp-on type. Bolt-on type has 4 spots where you can screw it to the desk or wall or wherever you want it. It’s quite mandatory to screw in tightly because when you are tightening the jaws, there is a lot of tension on the mounting bracket.
The clamp-on types are as I said before – for small jobs or for desks where you can’t screw it on. Also, they are quite good if you need a bench vise to go. If your job is outside your house and you are moving around.
Quick-release
The quick-release is a good option if you like to work quickly and don’t want to screw the jaws all the time. For example, RIDGID 27848 XF-50 has a quick release and it’s working great. It makes working so much quicker especially if you need to use it a lot. But unfortunately, not all bench vises come with this feature so if it interests you, check for that specific feature in the product description.
What to Look for When Buying a Bench Vise
I would say that choosing a bench vise is really easy. You find the features you need, check the price range you can afford, and choose the bench vise with the best reviews. That’s all, to be honest.
But if you are ordering it on Amazon, be aware that many Chinese bench vises are “buying” reviews, which means even if it’s 4 stars and great reviews, check out also 1-2-3 star reviews, they are usually the most honest.
If you are buying a bench vise on a local market or second-hand, check out these things:
Too Much Play
This is the cornerstone of the cheapest bench vises. They don’t have high-quality tools to make it and they are not so precise. To check for that, screw the jaws together and check for the play in the main screw.
There should not be any movement also when the jaws are not together. Also handle should be solid. Open the slider all the way open and check for cracks or weak spots.
Swiveling/Locking Base
This is quite important, before buying a bench vise, check if its swivel base is lockable. It means you can turn in and then lock in place. Also, check when you clamp down the jaws, the swivel base should lock tight and not move around. If it’s moving even when locked, don’t buy it.
If you can’t get your hands on the product before buying then read reviews and maybe someone will mention the swivel base!
Serrated Jaws
I would definitely suggest buying a bench vise with pipe jaws. They help a lot even if you know that you won’t work with pipes.
Also, check that jaws are not too rough or too soft.
Definitely buy only changeable jaws!
Say No To Aluminum Alloy
Stay away from bench vises that contain aluminum parts. Do not care which part, just stay away. They are light and easy to use, but they will break in the first chance.
Bench Vise FAQ:
How does a bench vise work?
There is a tube and a slider which slides in a tube, at the there is a metal piece which rolls in the slider when you screw the main screw, then when the jaws get together you can clamp down and you got your bench vise ready!
How important is a swivel base?
Swivel base is not mandatory but it's nice to have because you have many more variations on how to work with the material.
What are the main parts of a bench vise?
The main part is the base and the jaws which is the most important things to check before buying a bench vise.
Should I choose a medium-duty or heavy-duty model?
If you are a small homeowner and you need just to hold small things then you are also good with medium-duty, but if your budget allows, get heavy-duty, because it's worth it and it will be with you till the end.
What are the different types of replaceable jaw inserts?
Screw-on inserts, T-style inserts, and U-style inserts. Each has different installation methods. Check the User manual if needed.
Are there any particular things I should look for?
I covered most of the things in the article, but check out for it to be forged steel, have pipe jaws, have changeable jaws and it's made by a reputable brand.
Is Ductile Rod essential for bench vises?
I would say yes, a ductile rod means that it's almost impossible to break. It can hold heavy hammering and high PSI tensile strength. So if you need a high tensile strength go for ductile rod, if you are an average user, don't bother!
What is Impact Resistance and is it important?
Impact Resistance means how much foot-pounds of hitting can material absorb. Ductile iron can absorb 7-foot pounds while cast iron only 2-foot pounds. IF you are a welder or heavy user, definitely look at impact resistance!
What are the preferable heavy-duty bench vise features?
Changeable jaws, few sets of jaws in the box, 360-degree swivel base, multi-degree jaw turning and quick release jaws! These are the features I would look for.
What are the size varieties of a bench vise?
The opening length varies for each model but jaw size ranges from 4 inches to 8 inches. Usually, the throat depth is the same as jaw size.
Why do I need a Bench Vise?
The benefits of having a vise are many. Here are the things why I needed a bench vise.
- Use it when sawing something
I can hold a piece of wood in place when I’m sawing it. I can easily clamp it down 45 degrees and saw straight down and I will have a 45-degree cut. Awesome right?
- Sanding
I’m usually working with wood when using a bench vise, and I’m sanding a lot. I can hold my desk legs in place and sand them down after making them. I can also use a power drill and sand it down because it’s not moving anywhere! The material is higher-quality and the job is done faster!
- Using a drill
Drilling requires a steady material, a steady hand, and steady space. I can put a piece of wood or metal in place and drill a hole/s without any problems! It’s also to mark your cutting/drilling line when the material is already in place.
- Cutting a piece of material
Whether you are working with a metal of wood or plastic, a bench vise allows you to cut through material without moving and thus you will have higher job quality and it will be less time-consuming.
- To glue something together
Many people don’t know this, but I love using bench vise for gluing. Just apply glue, clamp it in the jaws and leave it!
If you need to do any of these things, you definitely should get a bench vise!
How to Install a Bench Vise
It’s not easy to decide where to put your bench vise, but here is a great video from WranglerStar who is building his own table in this video he describes where and why to put your bench vise! If you can’t watch a video, I wrote down some basic knowledge!
- Where will you put it?
Do you have a table? If yes, put it in the corner of your table if it’s with a swivel base. If not, also put it in the corner. A bench vise always must be in the corner!
- Drill Bolt Holes
When you have placed your bench vise where you wanted it to be, mark your bolt spots and drill holes. Drill holes as wide as your screw size in the bench vise base. Then get that size bolts and nuts and screw in the place. Use as large bolts as possible, because this thing must be in place sturdy! Don’t forget about washers as well.
So when that’s done you can start working!
Remember to put a bench vise where nothing is bothering you. Choose a place where you can easily move around and close the jaws without hitting your hands.
A few things you should know about bench vise usage!
Even if you have bought the most expensive and sturdiest bench vise, it won’t work as long as you want if you will not use it properly. There are always a few things you should do or not do on a bench vise.
- Don’t use jaws as an anvil. Don’t try to straighten material out on it. For that is anvil space. On cast iron bench vises you can make jaws uneven and in the worst case break the vise or make cracks in it.
- Always wear protective equipment when drilling or sawing. It’s the same with every tool!
- Make sure you have the right vise for your job. If you bought the cheapest vise don’t try to hit it with a 10-pound hammer. Use it for what it’s meant and if it does not meet your needs, get a larger vise.
- Secure the bench vise. Screw it down correctly and tightly. Also, check for once in a while screws as they might get loose.
- Check out vise regularly. Check if oil is where it needs to be oiled and keep it clean.
Conclusion
Our #1 Pick for the Best Bench Vise
Capri Tools 10516 Ultimate Grip Forged Steel Bench Vise is the winner that’s for sure! It’s the best vise for average users and one I got for myself.
This vise will be enough for most users and the price/performance is amazing. It’s durable and high-quality.
Buying a bench vise is really a simple task, but as you can see, there are some pointers you should know before ordering one. Of course, almost any bench vise will do its basic job, but to get the best out of it, you really need the best bench vise. I like to buy tools with the thought in my mind that I’ll be able to pass these tools to my kids.
So remember, anvil spot, swivel base, no cast iron, and no aluminum, quick unlock and you are good to go!
There it is – all I know about bench vises and hope you learned something new too. In the comments you can show me a picture of what bench vise you got, I would be glad to see your setup.
