Are you working on a new furniture project and need something that you can use to firmly clamp on the wood when you are working on them? If so, a good woodworking vise is what you need. Of course, there are other ways that you can use to clamp on your wooden objects, but with the use of a vise, achieving the best flawless finishes couldn’t be any easier.
However, getting the best woodworking vise to buy tends to be another hectic and daunting task that could take many hours. Luckily, we’ve done all the hard work of spending countless hours to find the best of the best woodworking vises.
Best Woodworking Vise 2021 To Buy
After sorting through dozens upon dozens of woodworking vises online, here is a countdown of the best one can find.
9. WoodRiver Large Front Vise
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Sturdy guide rods, rugged castings.
Size: 23 x 11 x 3.3 inches.
The Woodriver large front vise is a single handle sturdily designed woodworking vise that ranks among the best in the market. The vise comes with 1-3/16″ diameter x 15-1/2″ length screws which come in handy in positioning the wooden object being worked on. It is large sized, hence suitable for use in multiple woodworking occasions.
It is a simply designed woodworking vise that lives up to the expectations. Despite coming with a high price tag, everything else with this vise is spot on and delivers.
Pros and Cons
- It is sturdy and durable.
- The vise is large enough to be used for almost any woodworking task.
- It does not come with installation instructions.
8. Record 52-1/2ED Quick Release Woodworker’s Vise
Price: Highly priced.
Special features: 9-inch jaw, trigger-controlled, Quick release.
Size: 23.1 x 9.8 x 8.7 inches.
Designed with a quick release mechanism among other convenient features, the Record woodworker is very easy to use and guarantees you better control while working. The two steel guide rods improve the sturdiness of the vise by reducing wear and tear and increasing the parallel smoothness of the jaw. The location holes are pre-made to ensure that you can make your own adjustments as required.
The sliding functionality lets one work easily and much faster. If you love versatility and convenience in a woodworking vise, then you will love this one.
Pros and Cons
- The vise is very convenient to use.
- It is durable and stands up to use or abuse.
- Getting a full jaw width is sometimes a problem.
7. Northern Industrial Woodworker’s Vise
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: Machined Spindle, Handle, Guide Bars.
Size: 8 X 6 X 9 inches.
Constructed using heavy duty cast steel, this Northern Industrial isn’t only a high-performance vise, but the quality and durability it brings are outstanding. It features convenient handle and guide bars which makes using the vise a breeze. It is a large sized vise designed to grip anything from small plunks to large sized pieces of wood.
The vise boasts an even clamping pressure, thanks to the ingenious technology used in making the jaws. It is an excellent piece of equipment that is sure to impress any woodworking enthusiasts, DIY fans and hobbyist out there.
Pros and Cons
- The heavy duty cast steel makes it sturdy and durable.
- It offers good value for the money.
- It seems to be only perfect for basic tasks.
6. TEKTON 6-1/2-Inch Woodworking Vise
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Cast iron construction, Pre-drilled jaws, Acme-threaded screws.
Size: 7.8 x 6.5 x 3.5 inches.
This 6.5 inch woodworking vise by TEKTON is designed using cast iron that makes it sturdy. It uses guide rails and a sliding T-bar is in place to help handle the wood being worked on. Installing is easy, thanks to the versatile construction of the vise. Making adjustments is yer another breeze since the T-bar handle and jaw glides smoothly letting one to make the adjustments as they like.
Versatility, ease of use and quality is what most people yearn for in a woodworking vise and this one has it all. And for its low price tag, you are getting a good deal for the money.
Pros and Cons
- It is inexpensive.
- It is easy to install and make adjustments.
- The movement of the clamp is a bit sloppy and the screws are rough.
5. Wilton 63144 Heavy-Duty Woodworking Vise
Price: Highly priced.
Special features: Rapid Release function, Removable pivot jaw.
Size: 18 x 8 x 6 inches.
Wilton 63144 is a 4-inch jaw throat deep woodworking vise that is designed with heavy duty materials for better stability and durability. Flexibility and ability to adjust is perhaps one of the key selling points of this vise. The front can be easily adjusted and moved up to 9/16 inches. Besides being a large vise, the removable jaws it has can be removed to allow wider clamping.
Anyone looking for a large sized durable woodworking vise will love the quality that comes with this one.
Pros and Cons
- It is very versatile and easy to adjust.
- The vise is sturdy and durable.
- One can get better service and quality for cheaper price.
4. Shop Fox D4026 Cabinet Maker’s Vise
Price: Modestly priced.
Special features: large lead, cast iron, and steel construction.
Size: 19-1/4″ long x 10-1/4″ wide.
Every handyman knows Shop Fox and the high performance tools that they make. This particular Shop Fox D4026 is no different as the woodworking vise is among the best that fuse together quality and high performance. Cast iron and steel has been used in the making of this vise. The large lead screw it comes with enables one to make quick and easy adjustments which bring about smooth performance.
Anyone who loves working with precision, while enjoying excellent stability from a long lasting woodworking vise should consider getting this one. It is worth every penny spent.
Pros and Cons
- The vise is durable, thanks to the heavy duty materials used in making it.
- It offers excellent value.
- Some people have pointed out vertical racking issues.
3. Yost M9WW Rapid Acting Wood Working Vise
Price: Modestly priced.
Special features: buttress thread, Pre-drilled holes.
Size: 7 X 8 X 3 inches.
Yost is yet another big brand that has won the hearts of many people, mostly carpenters and handymen. Yost M9WW Rapid Acting Wood Working Vise is among their best performing products which comes with exceptional quality making it durable and stable when in use. It has a rapid action nut which gives users an easy way to open and close the vise.
The pre-drilled holes it has is also excellent in ensuring convenient mounting on a workbench. For a smoother working operation, there is a buttress tread that is excellent for better and stable clamping.
Pros and Cons
- It is of good quality that offers good value for the money.
- It is easy to assemble and use.
- The pricing isn’t very high but could be cheaper.
2. Eclipse Quick Release Woodworking Vise
Price: Modestly priced.
Special features: Quick release trigger, pre-drilled holes, fused tommy bar.
Size: 18 x 9 x 8 inches.
The Eclipse woodworking vise comes with a nice design that is well constructed and packed with high performance functionality features. Its quick release trigger lets users quickly open and close the vise saving time. The vise is fitted with an adjustable front stop which gives one the options to use the vise as both a normal vise and a tail vise.
The vise also works smoothly and doesn’t rack, thanks to the heavy duty construction and attention to detail. Overall, this is one big solid piece of equipment that many woodworkers would love.
Pros and Cons
- Its heavy duty construction makes it durable.
- Adjusting and using the vise is easy.
- The guide rails could be tighter than they are for better grip.
1. Irwin Tools Woodworker’s Vise
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Toe-in toward top jaws, Forged iron design.
Size: 7 x 3.75 x 8 inches.
Irwin Tools vise is the best selling in the market. The high customer ratings it comes with is all thanks to the superior quality that is second to none, plus the various advanced functionalities that makes it convenient to use. The toe-in towards jaws is perhaps the best of the functionalities which ensures firm grip while working.
To make a handy tool like this high performance and quality vise yet come at a low price isn’t a small achievement, but Irwin Tools seem to have cracked the code to that. It offers the best value for your money and comes highly recommended.
Pros and Cons
- It is durable, thanks to the heavy duty materials used.
- The vise comes with a high customer rating.
- It is inexpensive.
- It would be better if it came with instructions to help out newbies.
Choosing The Best Woodworking Vise
Here is a quick overview of the crucial things to keep in mind when you are shopping for a woodworking vise.
Size
Vises come in different sizes, which means that depending on the kind of work you are doing, you get to choose a vise that best suits it. The rule of the thumb here is that the bigger the vise, the more the projects you are able to handle. Their jaws also vary in sizes and the bigger the jaw of the vise, the better the friction and grip you stand to get. Of course, you can settle for a smaller woodworking vise and save more money if you intend and expect to be working on smaller projects.
Quality
The durability of the vise, like any other woodworking equipment, lies with the materials and structure sturdiness that it comes with. The sturdier it is, the better work you can expect and the longer it will be able to serve you. The central support column is the most important part that should be solidly built since it takes all the force applied to the vise. If it is flimsy, it will break sooner than you expect. The jaws too should be well designed and built to last. Some of the jaws are made of wood, but there are also more solid ones made of steel and other tough materials.
Ease Of Use
Nobody would want to get a woodworking vise that is not easy to use. The ease of use of any tool can change the way you like it. Simplified tools with improved convenience may come with a higher price tag, but it is always advisable to consider spending extra to get that level of convenience. Some features like quick-release mechanism will come in handy and help you save time hence worth the extra investment.
Value For Money
Finally and most importantly, it is always good to get a good woodworking vise that gives you good value for the investment. Different people have their own desires and it is always good to consider all the other factors and be sure that they are not overspending on the vise they are getting. It is always good to note that pricier ones don’t always mean that you are getting better quality or guaranteed performance.
Final Verdict
If you are planning on doing a woodworking project, whether big or small, a woodworking vise is a vital tool that will come in handy. Listed above, are some of the best woodworking vises to buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What Is A Wood Vise?
A: Also known as Walrus in Latin America, a vise is an equipment used to clamp on objects such as wood when one is working on them in the workshop. It consists of two jaws, a fixed one and one that moves using a screw mechanism to clamp on the object firmly.
Q: When Does One Need A Vise?
A: A vise is an integral tool that is used in woodworking to clamp and hold the wood in position while it is being worked on. There are some instances where one may not necessarily need a vise and that is when you can easily hold the wooden material in place. However, if you cannot, then you may want to consider getting a vise to clamp it on as you work on it. That’s when and why you need a wood vise.
Q: What Is The Difference Between Metal Vise and Wood Vise?
A: The question on how a metal vise and wood vise differ and whether one can be used in place of the other revolves around the jaws. Metal vises have teeth on their jaws which helps to clamp metals firmly. However, wood vises do not have such teeth on their jaws since they may cause indentation to the wood while being worked on.
Q: How Much Is A Wood Vise?
A: Wood vises come in a wide range of prices, mostly based on its size, the features, and sophistication that it comes with. Simple ones come for as low as $25, while there are those sophisticated ones that can go as high $200. It is all based on the purpose you intend to use and the quality you are getting.
