Bench Vices

About Bench Vices

A bench vice is an indispensable workholding tool for any professional workshop or home garage, providing a secure and stable method of gripping workpieces whilst you cut, file, drill, sand or shape them. These robust mechanical devices mount firmly onto your workbench and feature two parallel jaws – one fixed and one moveable – operated by a screw mechanism that delivers precise control and considerable clamping force. Whether you're tackling heavy-duty fabrication work or delicate hobby projects, a quality bench vice transforms your workspace into a versatile holding station for countless applications.

The selection at Tooled-Up.com includes traditional cast iron engineers' vices built for demanding metalwork, lighter hobby and craft vices for precision tasks, portable clamp-on models for temporary installations, and specialised designs such as vacuum vices and magnetic vices. Leading manufacturers including Record, Draper, Sealey, Stanley, Bessey and Fein offer vices in various jaw widths – typically ranging from compact 50mm models up to substantial 150mm versions – each engineered to meet different workshop requirements and applications.

Modern bench vices incorporate thoughtful features such as swivel bases for improved positioning, replaceable steel jaw plates to protect delicate workpieces, integrated anvils for light hammering operations, and quick-release mechanisms for faster workflow. Whether you need a permanent fixture for your engineering workshop, a lightweight portable solution for on-site work, or a specialist magnetic vice for metalworking machinery, selecting the appropriate bench vice significantly improves both the quality of your work and your overall efficiency.

Jargon Buster

• Jaw Width: The measurement across the jaws when fully closed, typically ranging from 50mm to 150mm. This dimension determines the maximum size of workpiece that can be gripped effectively and serves as the primary specification used to describe vice capacity.
• Throat Depth: The distance from the top of the jaws down to the top of the slide bar, indicating how far back from the bench edge you can position a workpiece whilst maintaining full clamping pressure.
• Swivel Base: A rotating mounting plate beneath the vice body that allows you to turn the entire vice through 360 degrees, providing access to different work angles without repositioning your workpiece or moving around the bench.
• Engineers Vice: A heavy-duty cast iron or steel vice designed specifically for metalworking applications, featuring hardened steel jaws, substantial weight for stability, and construction robust enough to withstand hammering and heavy clamping forces.
• Soft Jaws: Protective jaw covers made from aluminium, copper, wood, rubber or plastic that prevent marking or damaging delicate workpieces, finished surfaces, or soft materials during clamping operations.
• Quick Release Mechanism: A lever-operated system that allows the moveable jaw to slide freely in and out without turning the handle, significantly reducing the time needed to open and close the vice for different sized workpieces.

Who Uses Bench Vices?

Bench vices are essential tools across numerous trades and applications:

• Metal Fabricators and Welders – for securely holding steel, aluminium and other metals during cutting, drilling, grinding and welding operations
• Engineers and Machinists – for precision work on components, filing, deburring and assembly tasks in workshop environments
• Woodworkers and Joiners – for holding timber, particularly when working with hand tools such as saws, chisels and planes
• Mechanics and Vehicle Technicians – for gripping components during repair, maintenance and modification work
• Plumbers and Heating Engineers – for securing pipework whilst cutting threads, making joints or bending conduit
• Electricians – for holding cable, preparing terminations and modifying metalwork or junction boxes
• Jewellers and Craft Workers – using smaller hobby vices for delicate precision work on miniature components
• DIY Enthusiasts and Home Workshop Users – for general household repairs, maintenance projects and hobby activities
• Model Makers – for holding small components during assembly, painting and detailing work

How to Choose the Right Bench Vices

Jaw Width and Capacity: Select a jaw width appropriate to your typical workpiece size. For general DIY and light trade work, a 75-100mm vice provides excellent versatility. Professional metalworkers often prefer 125-150mm models for larger components, whilst hobbyists and precision workers may find 50-75mm vices perfectly adequate. Remember that larger vices are considerably heavier and require more robust bench mounting.

Construction Material and Weight: Cast iron engineers' vices offer superior durability and vibration damping for heavy-duty metalwork, with weights typically ranging from 5kg to over 20kg. Lighter pressed steel or aluminium vices suit portable applications and lighter-duty work. Heavier vices provide better stability and are less likely to move during aggressive filing or sawing operations.

Mounting Style: Permanent bench-mounted vices bolt directly through your workbench and provide maximum stability for demanding work. Clamp-on models attach temporarily using a screw clamp mechanism, ideal for occasional use or where you need to preserve bench space. Vacuum vices use suction pads for quick positioning on smooth surfaces, whilst magnetic vices attach to steel benches or machine tables without drilling.

Base Configuration: Fixed-base vices maintain a constant orientation, suitable where you always work from the same position. Swivel-base models rotate through 360 degrees, offering improved ergonomics and reducing the need to reposition workpieces. Consider whether the swivel locks securely at your most-used angles.

Jaw Features: Replaceable jaw plates protect the main casting from wear and damage. Serrated steel jaws grip metal firmly, whilst smooth or covered jaws prevent marking finished surfaces. Some vices include pipe jaws in the body casting for gripping cylindrical objects. An integrated anvil provides a small striking surface for light hammering work.

Professional vs DIY Grade: Professional brands such as Record, Draper and Sealey offer vices built to withstand daily workshop use with superior materials, tighter tolerances and better engineering. Budget models may suffice for occasional DIY use but won't endure the punishment of commercial environments or heavy-duty applications.

Popular Accessories

• Replacement Soft Jaws – magnetic, clip-on or bolt-on protective covers in various materials to prevent workpiece damage
• Vice Jaw Pads – rubber, leather or cork cushioning sheets for gripping delicate items without marking
• Swivel Base Kits – upgrade components to add rotation capability to fixed-base vices
• Bench Mounting Bolts and Fixings – heavy-duty coach bolts, washers and nuts for secure installation
• Workbench Lighting – LED task lights and magnifying lamps for improved visibility during precision work
• Engineers Files – essential hand tools from brands like Bahco for material removal whilst workpieces are secured
• Hacksaws and Blades – for cutting metal or plastic held securely in the vice jaws
• Clamps and Holding Tools – additional workholding solutions for complex assemblies and awkward shapes
• Workshop Benches – sturdy workbenches specifically designed to accommodate bench vice mounting

Safety Information

Secure Installation: Always mount bench vices according to manufacturer instructions using appropriately sized fixings that penetrate through your workbench into solid timber or a substantial steel framework beneath. Inadequate mounting can result in the vice loosening during use, potentially causing workpiece release, tool slippage or personal injury. Check mounting bolts periodically and retighten as necessary.

Correct Clamping Practice: Position workpieces as low in the jaws as practical to maximise grip and prevent leverage that might distort the vice or damage the workpiece. Never exceed the vice's capacity or use extension tubes on the handle to gain additional leverage – this can crack cast iron bodies or strip screw threads. Always ensure the workpiece is secure before applying force with tools.

Eye Protection: Always wear appropriate safety glasses or goggles when working at a bench vice, particularly during filing, grinding, drilling or cutting operations which generate flying debris and metal particles. The HSE recommends impact-rated eye protection as essential PPE for all workshop activities involving hand and power tools.

Striking Precautions: If your vice includes an integral anvil, use it only for light hammering work. Never strike the vice body, handle or screw mechanism directly as this can cause hidden cracks in cast iron components that may lead to catastrophic failure. Inspect your vice regularly for visible damage, cracks or excessive wear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size bench vice do I need for general workshop use?
For most home workshops and general trade applications, a vice with 100mm (4-inch) jaw width provides excellent versatility, offering sufficient capacity for typical metalwork, woodwork and maintenance tasks whilst remaining compact enough for smaller benches. Professional engineers and fabricators working with larger components often prefer 125-150mm models, whilst hobbyists and those with limited space may find 75mm vices perfectly adequate for lighter-duty work.

Can I mount a bench vice to any workbench?
Bench vices require a sturdy mounting surface capable of withstanding significant clamping forces and vibration. Solid timber benches at least 40mm thick or steel-framed workbenches with substantial top sections are ideal. Lightweight DIY benches, hollow doors or thin worktops generally lack sufficient strength and may split or flex during use. The vice should be positioned with the jaws just overhanging the bench edge to accommodate longer workpieces, with adequate clearance beneath for the handle to rotate freely.

What's the difference between an engineers vice and a woodworking vice?
Engineers vices feature cast iron or steel construction with serrated steel jaws designed to grip metal firmly, often including a swivel base and integrated anvil. They mount on top of the workbench and excel at metalworking tasks. Woodworking vices typically mount beneath or flush with the bench surface, feature wider wooden jaws to distribute pressure without marking timber, and use a different screw mechanism optimised for holding wood during planing, sawing and carving operations.

Should I choose a fixed or swivel base bench vice?
Swivel base vices offer greater flexibility by allowing 360-degree rotation, which proves invaluable when working on components from multiple angles or when several people share the same bench. However, the swivel mechanism adds cost, introduces a potential failure point, and slightly reduces overall rigidity compared to fixed-base models. For dedicated metalworking positions where you always work from the same direction, a fixed base provides maximum stability. For general workshop use and varied tasks, a swivel base significantly improves ergonomics and efficiency.

How do I prevent damaging workpieces in my bench vice?
Protect finished surfaces and soft materials by fitting soft jaw covers made from aluminium, copper, rubber, wood or leather over the serrated steel jaws. Magnetic soft jaws attach quickly for frequent changes, whilst bolt-on versions provide permanent protection. Alternatively, wrap workpieces in cloth or position scraps of wood, cardboard or plastic between the jaws and your component. Apply only sufficient clamping force to secure the work – excessive tightening can distort thin materials, crush soft metals, or leave permanent jaw marks even through protective covers.