Being a successful craftsman requires that you have a lot of skills while working with different materials and machines. Much like with engineering, craftsmanship can result in a substantial injury if you are not taking care or if you don't take all the precautions for prevention. This depends on your working environment, as well as the tools that you are using at that time. One of the essential pieces of safety equipment that you need to invest in is a bench vise.
For those who didn’t know, a bench vise is a tool that is highlighted by two jaws that hold a piece of specific material in place. Such a tool contributes to both the stability and safety of a particular task. As not every bench vise is the same, we decided to do some research and help you find the right one, taking into consideration the price and the dimensions. This top bench vise list should both inform you of what a product of this kind should feature, as well as highlight what are the best selling models on the relevant market!
Comparison Chart
Best Bench Vise Reviews
Yost LV-4 Home Vise 4-1/2"
First and foremost, we will be looking at one of the best home workshop bench vise models on the market. Not only is this Yost model an affordable choice, but it also offers a convenient swivel base. It can rotate up to 240 degrees with other specifications of this product that ensure optimal performance. It is available in blue and made out of cast iron and stainless steel. A bench vise of this type is something that you will not regret, especially when you consider the features for the price.
Review
Making the right decision when it comes to craftsman tools depends on what your idea is in the first place. If you are an owner of a home workshop, then a product like this should be more than enough to satisfy your needs. You are buying from a company that has been in the tool market for over a century, so there is not much you should worry about in terms of the durability and reliability of this product.
The main highlight has to be the swivel base that is rotatable up to 240 degrees and that, along with a set of pipe jaws, forms a convenient positioning combination. The jaws can work with tubes and pipes that are anywhere from 0.6 to 1.85 inches in diameter, while the jaw opening is just around 3 inches. Additionally, due to the innovative base design, this product has improved stability and is a better choice for someone who is just starting out.
As we have mentioned above, the design of this product is quite cool given the blue powder coat that is resistant to common rust/wear issues. What we didn’t mention is that the locking collar allows the vice to be mounted and dismounted without a lot of effort. The four mounting holes, for which you will have to buy separate bolts, are well-made.
Still, we have to say that this product is not as sturdy as you would expect it to be and that there is a little bit of a slope when it comes to pivoting. On the other hand, it is still a great value product looking at the price, and certainly the best model to go for if you are just starting out.
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DeWalt DXCMBV6 Bench Wise
If you are looking to buy a bench vise that has a larger capacity than the product mentioned above and is perfect for professional use, then you are in the right place. While this product is on the pricier side, you can’t go wrong buying products from DeWalt. They are a brand that is well-known for a high-quality swivel base design and lifetime warranty that will give you the confidence to start your own workshop.
Review
Before we get into reviewing the bench vise itself, we want to talk a bit about the brand. DeWalt has been around for decades and still does a great job when it comes to customer service as the lifetime warranty is something that any customer loves to see. Not only because this is a unique guarantee of quality, but also because you will be spending less time on fixing the bench vise and more time on working with it. The main difference between this and the Yost one is the powerful jaws that feature 6,600 lbs of clamp force.
With a jaw opening width of 6 inches, this forms a great combination when it comes to keeping even the most sloppy material in place. While it is nowhere as rotatable (120 degrees) as the swivel base offered in the product mentioned above, that is expected, given the difference in the featured clamp force. Still, you are getting a considerable anvil surface to work on that, along with the machined main screw, adds to the overall durability and reliability of this product.
Thus, whether you will be working with wood or metal, using this DeWalt bench vise is going to be quite straightforward. Given the added comfort and convenience of this product, there is not much to say against it. The fact that it is on the pricier side and you still have to buy separate bolts is a bit annoying. But if you are willing to sacrifice for such high-quality, it will be worth it. Bearing this in mind, if you are on a more flexible budget and you are in search of a heavy-duty bearing, the DeWalt DXCMBV6 is a perfect choice!
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Bessey BVVB Vacuum Bench Vise
With most bench vise models functioning on a swivel base system, this one is unique and refreshing. Not only does the Bessey product allow for 360-degree rotation, thus ensuring great positioning and stability even when working with the sturdiest of the materials, it also features the unique vacuum concept that is great for beginners and will allow easy mounting. It is an affordable and convenient option, and getting yourself a Bessey BVVB is a decision you won’t regret!
Review
While not offering the same reliable customer service and lifetime warranty that the DeWalt mentioned above offers, Bessey does a great job manufacturing innovative bench vise models for an affordable price. First and foremost, the fact that this one can be rotated up to 360 degrees and pivoted up to 90 degrees will allow you to achieve full control over positioning and mounting without having to remove the clamp part.
Now, the main difference between this and the previously mentioned two products is the design of the base. This time we are looking at a vacuum-inspired base. It means that any smooth surface is adequate for mounting this bench vise on. While marking is common when dealing with bench vises, you will not have to do it with this product due to the protective jaw caps that add to its safety and reliability.
Much like any standard bench vise, this product is made out of cast iron with stainless steel jaws. While it doesn’t feature a lifetime warranty policy, you should still be getting a year of heavy use out of this product. Apart from the fact that the suction is not perfect, there is not much we can say against the Bessey BVVB Vacuum Bench Wise. Thus, if you are looking for something lightweight, adjustable, comfortable, and easy-to-use, this is the way to go.
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Yost 5” Rotating Vise
Getting on with our list of the best bench vise products, we have another one coming from the reputable Yost brand. It is a professional-grade product that is good both for experienced and novice owners. The 360-degree rotatable bench vise is a worthy investment whether you are a beginner or a professional.
Review
There are a couple of significant differences between this and the first Yost, as mentioned above. First and foremost, you are looking at a clap force that is at 5,000 lbs which is more than enough to hold any kind of material in its place while you work your way through to the desired crafting result. Looking at the capacity of this bench vise, the jaw width is just above 4.5 inches, while the jaw opening sits at exactly 5 inches and is supported with 3 inches of throat depth.
Together this forms a killer combination that will allow this bench vise to support and work with pipes and tubes that are anywhere from 0.3 to 2.5 inches in diameter. Talking about the convenience of this product, the fact that it can be rotated up to 360 degrees, along with two bottom locks, allows you to position it in different directions while ensuring optimal safety and placement. You will be working on an anvil surface that is 2.5x3.2 inches and is ideal for medium-sized shaping.
It is incredibly sturdy given the 30,000 PSI cast iron build, as well as the main screw that features acme threads and is 0.74 inches in diameter. Overall, while this product is still pricey considering that it is a medium-duty rather than a heavy-duty bench vise, we have to say that the build and warranty policy offered by the Yost make it a worthy investment!
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IRWIN Tools Bench Vise
At the end of our favorite bench vise list, we are coming up with another 360-degree rotating swivel base that will allow easy positioning and ensure optimal stability while you are working with both wood and metal materials. It is pricey but sturdy, and this bench vise is the perfect heavy-duty choice for a home workshop owner.
Review
The first thing that we want to mention is the large anvil working surface as well as the 360-degree rotatable swivel base that will allow you to easily adjust and position the vise for heavy-duty work.
Now, the main feature of any bench vise is the jaws and the clamping force that can be provided. In this case, we are talking about 6,000 lbs of clamp force along with blue cast iron and machined raw steel jaws which do lack a bit of depth. The jaw width and capacity are at around 5 inches, while the depth is at an average of 3 inches. The convenient steel handle will not only allow easier positioning but also contribute to overall safety as you don’t have to get your hands in the machined main screw area.
What we have to notice is that, for the given price, you are getting both a great build and reliable customer service that can settle most of the built-in defects. Overall, this is a great value choice and the perfect bench vise if you have just started a heavy home workshop and you are looking for a heavy-duty budget-friendly model.
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FINAL VERDICT
We have to say that while all the reviewed products are of good quality and value, there is still one that stands out above the rest. Our personal favorite is the DeWalt bench vise. It is incredibly sturdy and features 6,600 lbs of clamp force that will allow you to deal with any kind of heavy-duty task in your home workshop! If you would like a high-quality bench vise in your garage or home workshop, you cannot go wrong with the options on our list. So, decide which one suits your needs and budget best so that you can start reaping the benefits of a durable and solid bench vise right away.
