Contemporary blacksmithing is a lot more than just aimlessly hitting a hot metal stock. Seriously, metal should be as precious as life itself; hence, the need for the best bench vises.
Modern-day metal crafts require complicated turns, bends, and twists. All of these operations require some securing mechanism to hold the stock firmly.
The first tool that might pop up in your mind is a pair of tongs. Yes, having a pair of reliable tongs can keep you from burning your hands, but for complicated operations, tongs aren’t useful.
Hey, don’t be confused. A bench vise is what you need.
Let’s start with the low lying fruit. A bench vise is a clamping tool that is used to hold things.
Yes, it’s as simple as that.
It can provide a massive clamping force that resultantly delivers improved stability and, of course, a firm grip.
Do you hold it like tongs? Can you carry it around?
Well, sorry to break it to you, a bench vise is mounted on a benchtop. Isn’t it obvious? You have to FIX it somewhere for it to provide a sturdy grip.
The construction is pretty straightforward; a pair jaws to grip the stock, a handle attached to a screw, and a swivel base.
You might be surprised, but some of the bench vises come with an anvil.
Purpose of Bench Vice
Being a blacksmith, you will come across projects that require twisting, bending, or cutting. All these require the stock to be secured.
Also, grinding and sanding requires the stock to be clamped tightly.
Can you hold that orange-hot stock with your hands? Or maybe use one hand for tongs and the other for twisting?
That is not possible. You need a bench vise to keep the workpiece in one place.
Even if you require welding, sawing, or hammering, a bench vise can be useful.
You just have to open the jaws, place the stock inside them, and close the opening by rotating the handle.
Ta-da, you can easily work with your workpiece without worrying about anything.
One caveat: A bench vise might not be the wisest option for heavy-duty forging. It comes in a one-piece construction, and with each hammer strike, the enormous force goes into the frame and screws.
This eventually causes the vise to break as they are typically made of cast iron.
Nonetheless, it is an excellent all-rounder that can handle a wide range of jobs.
The question is, which bench vise should YOU choose?
Don’t decide all willy-nilly; as for a beginner, all bench vises might sound the same.
Here are some of the best bench vises that’ll help you narrow down your options.
Let’s jump straight into it!
- HOME VISE: Is the perfect tool for your home workshop. Made from heavy duty 30,000 PSI Gray Iron castings, 3x stronger than cast iron vises.
- TECHNICAL SPECS: Jaw Width: 4.5" x Jaw Opening: 3" x Throat Depth: 2.6" x Pipe Capacity: Min 0.6” D x Max 1.85". Mounting hardware is not included.
- SWIVEL BASE: Vise head rotates 240° and equipped with a large 3.5" x 2.7" (8.9CM X 6.9CM) anvil work surface.
- HOW TO USE: Make sure vise is securely mounted to the workbench and the swivel base lock is secure. Open the vise by turning the vise handle counterclockwise. Place item between the serrated jaws. Close the vise by turning the vise handle clockwise until the item is snug in the serrated jaws, continue to tighten until you can no longer move item. Don't over tighten as this may damage item and/or the vise. When finished working on the item, turn screw handle counterclockwise to release the item.
- YOST VISES QUALITY: Every Yost Vises tool is engineered to have high standards of quality, strength, and durability. We value quality over quantity and manufacture products that are safe and easy to use. We offer lifetime tech support to back our quality guarantee.
Why do we like it?
First, on our list, we have an affordable bench vise from Yost Vises.
Why we have this product on the first spot?
It is one of the best-sellers on Amazon. To crown it all, the Yost LV-4 is placed on the top in the bench vises and bench clamps category.
Still not convinced?
The LV-4 is relatively a small bench vise with a jaw width of only four and a half inches. If you plan on working with small stocks and stock bars, this might just be your thing.
It is made of 30,000 PSI cast iron with an appealing blue powder coat finish. The build is strong enough to endure any type of job.
And it weighs only 22 pounds!
The jaws have an opening of 3 inches with a throat depth of 2.4 inches. As obvious from these measurements, this vise is not suitable for heavy-duty work.
Pro Tip
If you work with pipes or bar stocks, the built-in pipe jaws can accommodate diameters from 0.6 inches to 1.85 inches. It’s no surprise that LV 4 has been the first choice for many plumbers and metal workers.
And yes, this vise does come with a swivel base that can rotate up to 240 degrees. This provides flexibility in your work and is much more convenient than a fixed vise. You can also lock it in a specific position.
Who even works with a fixed vise? Duh.
Surprisingly, this compact vise also comes with a 1.75” x 2” anvil. The flat space can be used to work with arts and crafts. Don’t consider it a substitute for your 175 lbs. anvil.
Quick Note:
The jaws on this product are made of steel. They can firmly grip any small stock which is needed to be bent or twisted. But be careful, the steel jaws can scar your workpiece as the vise is not shipped with soft jaw pads.
For a blacksmith, this vise is a no-go for forging. The build and size are not suitable for intensive hammering.
Most importantly, this home vise is very easy to install. You don’t have to be a trained professional to mount it on a benchtop. Four screws/bolts go into the holes and bingo. Although, you will have to buy the mounting bolts (preferably 3/8” ones) yourself.
The base is designed to reduce side to side movements to increase the efficiency of your work. You don’t want the vise to dance on the benchtop, right?
The zinc-plated ACME threaded main screw is operated with a C collar that facilitates quick engagement and disengagement. Moreover, the 6” handle makes the process a lot easier.
If you want an inexpensive best-selling bench vise for light-duty work that can provide unmatched strength and clamping force and can last for decades, there is no better option than this one.
Pros
It comes at a very economical price.
Strong cast iron build.
A great option for beginners.
Cons
It is only suitable for light-duty work.
A quirky slope in the swivel pivot.
- BENCH VISE: This vise features a heavy reinforced 4-lug base, polished anvil & anvil horn for shaping, swivel lock leaver, permanent pipe jaws, replaceable hardened steel jaw faces & a heavy-duty machined spindle & hand.
- CAST IRON CONSTRUCTION: With its 270-degree swivel base & powder coated finish our product is perfect for your heavy hardware woodwork. Attach it to your workbench in the garage & work with ease.
- MADE TO LAST: Our durable and long-lasting tools help you with home, garage & industrial projects. With professional-grade quality, easily repair & fix issues with our tool cabinet essentials.
- THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB: We engineer a range of bolt cutters, clamps, chisels, folding carts, hammers, pliers, saws, screwdrivers, tape measures, utility knives, vises, bolt cutters, saws & wrenches.
- SUPERIOR INSTRUMENTS: Olympia Tools provides quality & innovative hand & specialty tools, tool accessories & outdoor equipment for construction, woodworking, mechanical maintenance & home repair.
Why do we like it?
If you want a bench vise that is made to last and comes with a sturdy base, this 5” bench vise from Olympia tools is definitely worth your time.
This product comes with a reinforced 4-lug base that can withstand all the beating you hurl at it. The base is the most important part of a bench vise.
If the bench vise itself is not stable, how would it clamp your stock firmly?
Similar to the last product, this bench vise also features a cast-iron (20,000 PSI) construction with a powder-coated finish. Apart from a superior quality polished anvil (2 ½” x 2 ½”), this bench vise also has an anvil horn for bending bar stocks.
The jaws on this one are pretty solid as they’re made from hardened steel. And guess what, they are replaceable! No need to replace the whole vise; grab a new set when the old ones wear out.
Quick Note:
If your project requires quick twists and bends, having a swivel base is imperative. The 270 degrees rotation significantly improves your experience. The swivel lock lever can tightly fix the rotation at the desired angle.
The pipe jaws on this model are fixed and can be of great use if you’re a plumber or regularly work with metal pipes.
As mentioned earlier, this vise comes with a jaw width of 5” with an opening of 4” and a depth of 2 ¾”. You can easily clamp a stock of a similar size and twist it using tongs.
Some manufacturers don’t really put any efforts in delivering a high-quality handle and spindle. Olympia tools provide a robust machined spindle and handle to improve user experience.
It is not one of those premium expensive bench vises, but if you want something that can handle light-duty or medium-duty work, this low-cost vise is the best option.
Pro tip
Before using it, make sure you have greased it out. But still, you will experience some friction in the swivel rotation and handle. The lock might also face some issues, but what else can you expect from a low-price vise?
You will have to bear with such issues, but in the larger context, it does prove to be a worthy investment.
For a beginner or hobbyist, this vise can be used to bend, twist, or even grind small stocks. The anvil and horn at this price tag are quite rare.
Pros
Reinforced base.
A value-for-money product.
270-degree swivel base.
Cons
Handle and swivel rotations are not smooth.
Issues with the base lockdown.
- [MATERIAL]: 5in，Durable cast steel construction
- [JAW]: Replaceable, hardened, forged steel jaws
- [LOCKING BASE]: Double locking 360°swivel base perfect for turning any direction you want after mounting
- [FEATURES]: Power serrated steel jaws and clamps with incredible clamping power for great grip and strength
- [APPLICATION]: Device on the bench to clamp the workpiece tools for workshop
Why do we like it?
Here is another light-duty bench vise from HFS. The jaw width on this one is just 4”. If you want something bigger, this is not an advisable pick.
Similar to the previous vises, the HFS heavy duty also features an HT150 cast iron body. The name might say “heavy-duty,” but for blacksmiths, this vise is only suitable for small jewelry, trinkets, or any small-sized stock.
The diamond-patterned A3 steel jaws are replaceable. The grip these jaws offer is phenomenal, and even if the serrated surface wears out, you can just replace it with a new one.
Previously, we’ve seen vises with 240 degrees and 270 degrees rotations. HFS wanted to go the extra mile, and hence they’re offering a complete 360-degree rotation on this one.
How cool is that!
The swivel hole does have three pre-drilled holes. You will have to buy the mounting bolts yourself.
And yes, HFS did not forget to add an anvil. It is a 4” x 4” anvil that can be used to strike teeny tiny objects.
Pro Tip
Don’t expect it to handle a 5-pound hammer.
The whole frame is powder-coated to give it a nice glossy look. It also helps protecting the frame against rust and dust.
Overall, it is a good option for someone who works with small projects.
The throat depth is not much; just 3 inches. Anything more than that and you’d need a bigger vise.
The spindle and the rotating screw are either polished or chrome plated. The swivel base has a locking mechanism to work at a specific horizontal angle.
Moreover, the 7” handle has a quick-release system that helps in a one-hand operation.
Note:
Unfortunately, HFS did not bother to include dedicated pipe jaws. You can use the top-mounted jaws for clamping pipes, but it won’t be that efficient. This might not be the best option for threading steel pipes or beating stuff with a sledgehammer.
This bench vise offers a decent clam force (kg) of 600. This is a nominal amount for someone who forges steel tools.
Some users don’t even mount it on a table. They carry it around wherever something is required to be clamped. For them, it serves as an extra wrench.
So, for light-duty work (stocks that can be worked with 4” jaw opening), this vise is a good option. If you are a full-time blacksmith who works with relatively bigger projects, a leg vise or blacksmith’s vise should be a better fit.
Pros
Replaceable steel jaws.
360 degrees swivel base.
Lightweight.
Cons
The clamping force is not enough.
Prone to breakage.
- Includes 1-pc. 120-degree swivel bench vise: 4 in.; Product manual; Mounting template
- Cast iron construction (30,000 PSI tensile strength) with replaceable serrated steel jaws holds work with a sure, nonslip grip
- 120-degree swivel base with dual lock-down nuts positions workpiece where you need it
- Three mounting holes anchor vise securely to workbench
- Polished steel anvil offers a smooth, consistent work surface for shaping metal pieces
Why do we like it?
TEKTON is one of the most trusted brands when it comes to blacksmithing tools. From sledgehammers to bench vises, they provide quality-products in every domain.
Fourth on our list, we have another 4” swivel base bench vise. This one is a bit pricey compared to the previous products, but the TEKTON 54004 is definitely worth your savings.
With a whopping 30,000 PSI tensile strength, this bench vise rocks a durable cast iron construction that can withstand a decent amount of force.
The build is a lot better compared to its competitors. The 14.8 pounds weight doesn’t let the vise budge even a little bit, but you still have to mount it on a table or something.
Similar to the last product, the jaws on this model are also serrated with a unique pattern that won’t let go of your workpiece. You can easily thread pipes, bend, and sharpen stuff.
This all-purpose bench vise comes with a 120-Degree swivel base that adds versatility to your working. The dual lockdown firmly locks the rotation in place.
Pro Tip
The majority of the bench vises have one common issue; the screw isn’t smooth enough. This is a major flaw and can put your patience to test.
TEKTON has put in an Acme-threaded screw that makes the operation a lot smoother and that too without binding.
It might not be a deal-breaker for the majority, but the black powdered finish on this product is eye-catching.
The 2-1/8” throat depth is not humongous but is enough to accommodate small-sized workpieces. It is better to say that this product is just a holding devise.
It does feature a ½” thick anvil, but don’t expect it to withstand a massive 4-pounder.
You can easily crack it! It does offer a workspace of 2-5/8” x 2-5/8”.
Note:
If you want to bend a metal sheet or stock, clamp its one end in the steel jaws, and hammer the other one. Don’t just pound the stock viscously as these bench vises can break under immense stress.
Nonetheless, TEKTON 54004 is one of the most reliable and durable bench vises available in the market. Apart from some minor issues, it can be a great option for novice blacksmiths who work with small projects.
All this comes with a lifetime guarantee. If you ever come across a manufacturer defect, don’t hesitate to reach out to customer support.
But before you decide, here are some of the pros and cons this product offers.
Pros
The screw mechanism is tight and turns without any resistance.
Durable construction with non-slip serrated jaws.
Cons
The edges are sharp.
Cannot handle heavy-duty work.
- Jaw Width: 125mm (5"), Jaw Opening: 125mm (5"), Throat Depth: 67mm (2.6"), Clamp Force: at least 5500 lbs (24 k.N), Item Weight: 33 lbs
- More Durable and Sturdy: Material upgrated, stationary body and floating body of DT08125A vise are all made from industrial-strength ductile iron, PSI 60,000
- More Clamping Options: DT08125A bench vise is equiped with 3 sets of well-machined jaws: replaceable top jaws with microgroove tooth, built in pipe jaws(φ 3/5" -2 1/2") and V-jaws, secure grip and smooth slide
- More Versatile and Flexible: The 360-degrees rotating front head and swivel base enable easy clamping of objects at any angle, making bench vice more efficient to work on complex workpiece
- Multifunctional Dual-Purpose Vise: The 5inch vise is suitable for both industrial and DIY home use. You can perform a range of tasks including grinding, cutting, and tapping work on the large reinforced anvil. Easily mounted and solid lockdown(We provide 3 sets of mounting screws and bolts)
Why do we like it?
Fixed jaws? That is too mainstream.
The Forward DT08125A features rotating front jaws. Yes, you heard it right. The replaceable microgroove tooth space jaws can rotate in 360 degrees for extra usefulness.
The swivel base on this bench vise can also rotate 360 degrees for optimal workpiece placement. With all these rotations, you can easily work with your stock without worrying about anything.
The frame is made of ductile iron with a tensile strength of 60,000 PSI. Forward makes no compromise on quality, and their products can last for decades.
Bending, twisting, grinding, sanding, and even tapping can be done using this multi-purpose vise. The 5” jaw width and opening can accommodate a wide range of stocks.
Quick Note:
If everything is done by the books, the Forward DT08125A can last for a lifetime. It can withstand all the abuse you hurl at it. Moreover, the significant clamping force won’t let your workpiece go anywhere.
Both the head and base rotations can be locked in place. This model also features dedicated self-align jaws for steel pipes. These jaws are flexible enough to adjust any workpiece without marring its surface.
The vise itself weight 35.5 pounds. Even if you don’t mount it on a table, you can easily use it to clamp small-sized workpieces.
It is a workhorse! The stability and grip are out of this world.
With all these premium features, the vise does have a small anvil area for you to take a whack at.
The 2.6 inches throat dept is enough to let in most of the stocks. If you’re making scrolls, corkscrews, or maybe a hairpin, you can use this vise to improve the efficiency of your work.
Note:
The majority of the blacksmithing projects require some type of bending, twisting, or cutting. And all of the stocks are not evenly shaped. You will come across some hideous looking metal stocks that won’t fit in a traditional bench vise.
If you regularly pick stuff from a scrapyard, this vise offers a wide range of adjustment to clamp any piece of metal easily.
Dinner bells, flower stakes, and other such projects can easily be handled by the DT08125A.
Pro Tip
This is one of the most versatile bench vises available in the market. You have a wide range of options for convenient adjustments. Don’t expect all this at a low price.
If you’re looking for something that is easy to work with, this vise should be the perfect match. It is a bit expensive but definitely worth your money.
Pros
Rotating head and base.
Durable ductile iron build.
Self-align pipe jaws.
Cons
A bit pricey compared to other products.
- MULTI-JAW VISE: The Yost Vises 750-DI 5-1/8 Inch heavy duty 65,000 PSI ductile iron casted vise has a dual jaw system equipped with a bench jaw. Equipped with three sets of replaceable hardened steel jaws and parallel serrated jaws pipe jaws and V-jaws for holding both round and flat stock. Also has a large anvil work surface.
- TECHNICAL SPECS: Jaw Width 5" (12.7 cm), Jaw Opening 5" (12.7 cm), Throat Depth 4" (10.16 cm), Min Pipe Capacity .125" (0.3175 cm), Max Pipe Capacity 3.5" (8.89 cm).
- SWIVEL BASE AND VISE HEAD: Vise body rotates 360° using interlocking V-grooved swivel base and (2) two lockdowns to lock at any position. Vise head rotates 360° with locking at every 30° or (12) twelve different locking positions.
- HOW TO USE: Make sure vise is securely mounted to the workbench and the swivel base lock is secure. Open the vise by turning the vise handle counterclockwise. Place item between the serrated jaws. Close the vise by turning the vise handle clockwise until the item is snug in the serrated jaws, continue to tighten until you can no longer move item. Don't over tighten as this may damage item and/or the vise. When finished working on the item, turn screw handle counterclockwise to release the item.
- YOST VISES QUALITY: Every Yost Vises tool is engineered to have high standards of quality, strength, and durability. We value quality over quantity and manufacture products that are safe and easy to use. We offer lifetime tech support to back our quality guarantee.
Why do we like it?
This one is a beast!
Yost manufactures a wide range of products in the vises category. From 3” to a spacious 5” jaw opening, Yost offers high-quality bench vises that can be used by people of all professions.
The 750-DI is the most reliable and versatile vise from Yost. It features a wide 5” jaw opening. It can accommodate pretty much every regular-sized workpiece.
Like the DT08125A, this vise also has a rotatable head and base. The head is equipped with three sets of hardened steel jaws. All of them are replaceable.
What’s Special?
The head can rotate in 360 degrees and can be locked at every 30 degrees. This gives you 12 different locking positions to easily work with your workpiece. The pull pin mechanism will help you with quick one-handed readjustments.
Similarly, the base can also rotate in 360 degrees. The swivel base has two lockdowns to lock it at any horizontal angle. This gives you a lot of options to work with your metal craft.
The 4” throat depth is more than most of the vises. As for the self-align pipe jaws, it can handle diameter of 0.125” to 3.5”. Threading, grinding, or cutting, this vise can be a handy tool.
These pipe jaws offer superior grip as they’re made to have maximum contact points with the pipe. Surprisingly, these are much better than the inferior smooth grips as you’ll experience lesser marring.
You want more? It also comes with a 3.5” x 2.7” anvil. It’s not much but can handle some light-duty pounding.
Let’s be honest; stocks come in a wide variety of shapes. Sometimes they are round, sometimes just flat. There are times when the stock might be an old horseshoe or something you picked up at a scrapyard.
Don’t worry! This vise has serrated main jaws, pipe jaws, and V-jaws for clamping both flat and round-shaped stocks. This, combined with the rotating head and base, makes this vise the first choice of many blacksmiths.
With all these crazy features, the frame itself is made of heavy-duty ductile iron (65,000 PSI). It can bear all the whacking you throw at it. It is 3x times stronger than the cast iron vises. But please, don’t consider it a substitute to a blacksmith vise.
Note:
The main screw and nut have been bumped up to sky-rocket the clamping force. The 13,400 lbs. force is no joke. Moreover, the 750-DI weighs 50% more than its competitors. 63 pounds!
This feature-heavy bench vise is a perfect option for experienced blacksmiths. It can handle any project you undertake and would guarantee a smooth experience.
This is a big-budget bench vise, but all these handy features make it a worthy investment.
Pros
Robust 65,000 PSI iron construction.
It can handle a wide range of jobs.
13,400 lbs. clamping force.
Perfect for heavy-duty work.
Cons
The paint/finish is of low quality.
The main tightening handle is thinner than its competitors.
The main jaws are not square-shaped.
The research
Can you work without a bench vise?
How can you mount a bench vise?
Can you work without a rotating swivel base?
What option do you have for a replaceable jaw?
Which bench vise is the best option?
Who Should Get This?
The vise is one of the essential tools in the blacksmithing trade. The tool is useful for holding hot metal while being hammered, twisted, or worked upon. Your blacksmith tool is not complete until you include a vise.
If you are a professional blacksmith, getting a vise is certainly inevitable. Likewise, you should get a vise if you are an upcoming blacksmith aspiring to set up a blacksmith shop.
Other DIY enthusiasts, artisans, and homeowners who work on hot metals can also get a vise to ease and ensure the process’s safety.
How We Picked the best bench vises?
Indeed, bench vises are just used for clamping materials. If you are a beginner, there is a high chance that you’ll be unable to differentiate between these bench vises.
As a buyer, you should consider these key factors before making the final decision:
Jaw Width and Opening
Jaw width is the size of the jaw in inches. The above products have jaw widths ranging from 2 inches to 6 inches. Unless you work with tiny projects, the 5” and 6” vises are preferable.
The jaw width must be in accordance with your stocks. The larger sized jaws offer superior grip and can accommodate larger stocks with ease.
The jaw opening is how wide the jaws can be extended. This is directly proportional to the max thickness a bench vise can hold. A larger jaw opening can make space for wider stocks.
Throat Depth
We’ve talked about the width and everything, but what about the depth of the vise? Throat depth is the measurement from the top of the jaws to the slide.
In simple words, it determines to what extent a long bar stock can be accommodated inside the vise.
Jaw Shape
The majority of the metalworking bench vises come with flat jaws. Some of the premium vises offer V-grooves to clamp round items like steel pipes and metal tubing.
Flat jaws should suffice if you only deal with bar stocks. It is advisable to buy a bench vise with replaceable jaws.
Swivel Base
The swivel feature gives you more options to work with your workpieces. You might have observed that all of the reviewed products offer a different value of rotation.
Some bench vises offer 180 degrees, and manufacturers like Yost and Forward went the extra mile with the complete 360 degrees rotation.
Make sure the swivel base is lockable.
Construction
The most commonly used material for making bench vises is cast iron. The cast-iron vises are weld together at some spots, and this is where they’re the weakest.
Why the manufacturers go for this? Obviously, it is cheap and easily available. It can handle most of the jobs but don’t except heavy-duty work from it.
If you have some extra money, you can go for a forged iron bench vise. For blacksmiths, the ductile iron vises on this list are a MUST.
A point worth noting is that these vises are forged and are really heavy.
Care and Maintenance Tips
Getting a quality product is often not enough to ensure the durability of your blacksmith vise. Ensuring proper care and maintenance will help you get the best out of the tool. Likewise, it will keep it in perfect working condition and mitigate the possibility of malfunctioning during operation.
Here are some of the care and maintenance tips for blacksmith vise.
- Wipe the surface of the vise with a soft and clean cloth before and after use.
- Use suitable oil to lubricate the moving and threaded part of your vise. It will ease the opening and closing of the jaws while ensuring the smooth movement of other parts.
- Consider using rust-removing chemicals in case of rust in any part of the vise.
- Repaint the vise occasionally to prevent rust.
- Keep the vise away from water and moisture.
- Ensure proper storage off your vise to avoid damaging any part.
- Ensure to cover the vise with a cloth if you would be keeping it outside to avoid rust.
Can you work without a bench vise?
Technically speaking, yes. A bench vise is just a clamping tool that can hold your stock while you work on it.
You can use a pair of good tongs to carry a hot stock but to twist, cut, or bend it? You definitely need a bench vise.
How can you mount a bench vise?
If you’re buying heavy vise with a large jaw opening, it will feature a bolt-on mounting. There will be some pre-drilled holes. You just have to screw it on a tabletop or wherever you desire.
The other option is a clamp-on bench vise. The 2” vise from TOLSEN uses this technique. You can clamp it ANYWHERE, but remember, this is not as stable as bolt-on mounting.
Can you work without a rotating swivel base?
Yes, but having one can significantly improve the efficiency of your work.
You have a lot more versatility with a swivel base as you can align the workpiece to any angle your desire.
What option do you have for a replaceable jaw?
If your old jaws wear out or you just feel like getting a new pair, you can get u-style, t-style, or straightforward screw-on inserts.
The majority of the reviewed bench vises come with screw-on inserts.
Which bench vise is the best option?
It depends on how you’ll be using it. If you work with small or medium-sized stocks, a bench vise can make your life a lot easier.
If you want a substitute for your 150 lbs. anvil, a bench vise would be of no use.
Although, a blacksmith’s vise is a better option if you want to use something for hammering/forging.
How does vise work?
A vise is a tool that holds hot metal for various operations, including twisting, hammering, and chiseling.
The vise has a moveable jaw that you can use to clip metal and hold it as tightly as you want. The vise can hold metal of various sizes, and you can hold it as tightly as you want it.
Can blacksmith forge a vise?
A blacksmith can craft and forge most materials from metals. They can make various tools, including vise. A blacksmith can make and forge a vise.
Conclusion
Having a bench vise in your workshop can be of great help. Artistic blacksmithing requires precision cuts, sanding, grinding and other processes. No matter which operation is to be performed, the workpiece should be secured properly.
Similarly, a high-quality bench vise can help you with threading and cutting steel pipes. Most of the vises on this list come with either a fixed pipe jaw or v-grooves.
If you have the budget, always prefer buying a forged iron bench vise. The 750-DI and the Forward DT08125A are both made of ductile iron and can take heavy-duty work.
If you don’t want any premium features, the LV-4 from Yost is the most affordable and straightforward bench vise on this list.
Lastly, you should always consider the PSI rating of a bench vise. In layman terms, the pounds per square inch tells you how strongly the jaws will grip something.
Make sure you protect the vise from weather, lubricate/grease it regularly, and always clean it after using.
