Best Woodworking Vise Reviews: The Top Grips To Buy

Best Woodworking Vise

Sometimes a clamp just won’t do. Those are the times when the best bench vises for woodworking are able to step up and get the job done.

A bench vise is permanently attached to the workbench and holds work for sawing, planing and chiseling. Pick the right size and you may never need to buy another.

In this article, we’ll help you find the model that you need.

Picture	Name	Our Rating	Price
	Irwin Woodworker's Vise	4.4	$
	Shop Fox D4026 Cabinet Maker's Vise	4.2	$$$
	Eclipse Quick Release Woodworking Vise	4.6	$$$
	Yost Rapid Acting Woodworking Vise	4.5	$$$
	Tekton 6.5-Inch Woodworking Vise	4.4	$$
	Wilton Heavy Duty Woodworking Vise	4.8	$$$$$+
	Bessey H-Style Clamp	4.7	$
	Yost Hobby Woodworking Vise	4.9	$
	Yost LV-4 Home Vise	4.4	$
	Wilton 191 656HD 6-Inch Jaw Width Utility Vise	4.9	$$$$$+
Picture	Name	Our Rating	Price
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Best Woodworking Vise Reviews

1. Irwin

This woodworking vise holds work solidly, and with wooden jaw pads it won’t mar the piece. The square body of the vise is nice because it allows you to mount it underneath your workbench so you gain some extra work space.

The toe-in jaws make sure that you have a firm grip, while the ability to install wooden cheeks allows you to work on highly sensitive projects. Made from cast iron, this is an affordable investment you’ll want to make.

Click here to look at prices on Amazon and get a great deal.

2. Shop Fox

If your woodworking takes you into the world of cabinetmaking, then this is the vise that you’re going to want to consider. It is 19.25 inches long, 10.25 inches wide, and features a screw length of 15.5 inches.

The vise clamps firmly without drift, and wood-faced jaws prevent marring. It is a specific tool that not every woodworker may need, but it does get the job done for cabinets.

Click here to look at prices on Amazon and get a great deal.

3. Eclipse

This cast iron woodworking vise features a quick-trigger opening, which saves a lot of time when you’re finished with a project. The jaw width is 7 inches, while the throat depth is 3 inches, so some woodworking applications are limited with this particular tool.

We like the adjustable front dog (stop) for holding boards against bench dogs. It weighs about 20 pounds and also comes in 9-inch and 10-inch versions.

Click here to look at prices on Amazon and get a great deal.

4. Yost

This is a rapid-acting vise that has similar design qualities and features to other models found in this category. We loved that it mounted flush to several different workbenches, while the rapid action lever assists in closing the vise in addition to opening it. The height and width of the vise are both 9 inches, while the overall length is 18 inches. This tool gets all of the basics right, featuring an end stop and buttress thread, so you receive the smooth operation that is demanded by your woodworking.

Click here to look at prices on Amazon and get a great deal.

5. Tekton

Sometimes you don’t need a massive vise in order to get your work done. This 6.5-inch model is cast iron, which Tekton rates at 30,000 PSI tensile strength.

The jaws are predrilled for custom pads, while the steel sliding T-bar handle and guide rails provide a sure experience. It mounts to the face of most workbenches and holds small assemblies well.

It is a good budget choice.

Click here to look at prices on Amazon and get a great deal.

The best bench vises for woodworking must hold your projects safely and effectively. These are the models that can make that happen for you. Plan out the size that you need, make sure it works with your bench, and then you’ll be ready to have that extra set of hands when you need them the most.

Our Favorite Bench Vises

Our List of the Best Bench Vises

Irwin Woodworker’s Vise (Easy to Install)
Shop Fox D4026 Cabinet Maker’s Vise (Heavy-Duty)
Eclipse Quick Release Woodworking Vise (Versatile)
Yost Rapid Acting Woodworking Vise (Easy to Use)
Tekton 6.5-Inch Woodworking Vise (Affordable)

A vise is a basic tool: it holds the work so both your hands are free. Any of these will do that well.

How to Find the Best Bench Vise for Me

Maybe the bench vise isn’t the first tool that you might purchase for your shop, but it should be. With the right vise, you get the extra hand you often need.

Vises have two parallel jaws that hold a workpiece still with a threaded screw. Woodworking vises have wide, flat jaws meant to be lined with wood; metalworking vises have hardened, serrated jaws that will dent wood.

Woodworkers tend to require a work-specific vise, so there are a couple of options that you’ll want to look at. A bench vise that is 4-5 inches in size will work for general tasks, but a vise in the range of 6-10 inches can support longer working pieces with more stability.

You’ll also want to look at these following features when shopping for the best bench vises for woodworking.

Throat Depth

This measurement comes from the top of the jaws of the vise to the top of the slide below it. When you have a throat depth that is longer, then it allows you to hold larger pieces more securely as well.

Weight

Heavier vises will provide your working pieces with better overall support. A heavy vise can also affect the balance of your workbench, so you’ll need to think about what your current setup can support and then find the right balance of weight and stability.

Quality

hardware tools

Make sure that you verify the dimensions of your vise before finalizing your purchase. The actual width the jaws will open and the space between them is what you need to know. Sometimes this measurement is taken from the outside instead.

We think the best bench vise for most woodworkers is the Eclipse, thanks to its quick-release trigger and adjustable front dog.

When you hold work in any vise, keep it low in the jaws so it cannot chatter, and never use a cheater bar on the handle. Overtightening can crack a cast iron vise.

Fine Woodworking’s clamp guide notes that hand screws can also work as small vises for odd-shaped parts.

What will it cost me to buy the Best Bench Vises?

Prices change often, so check current listings. Small general-purpose vises cost the least, quick-release woodworking vises cost more, and large cabinetmaker’s vises cost the most.