A bench vise holds work in place while you cut, file, drill or shape it. Bolt-down models have a swivel head or base, and clamp-on table vises trade capacity for portability.
The six vises below run from a 3.2 inch table vise to a 6 inch jaw model. Jaw sizes, weights and materials come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these vises ourselves. Strength and durability wording is the makers’ own, and use should follow each maker’s manual.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Jaw width and opening | Sets the size of work the vise can hold |
| Swivel range | 240 or 360 degrees changes how you position work |
| Mounting | Bolt-down needs hardware; clamp-on fits a table edge |
| Anvil and pipe jaws | Add forming and round-stock options |
Specs at a Glance
| Vise | Jaw width and opening | Swivel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| VEVOR 6 in | 6 in; 5.9 in opening | 360 degrees | Ductile iron; 25 lb; 2.9 x 3 in anvil |
| Yost LV-4 | 4.5 in; 3 in opening | 240 degrees | Gray iron; 9 lb; mounting hardware not included |
| Wilton 746 | 6 in; 5-3/4 in opening | 360 degrees | Cast and ductile iron; replaceable jaws |
| STEINBRUCKE table vise | 3.2 in; 2.79 in opening | 360 degrees | Clamp-on; base clamps up to 4 in |
| AV Steel 4-1/2 in | 4.5 in; 3-3/4 in opening | 240 degrees | Cast iron; 10.1 lb |
| Wilton 450P | 4-1/2 in; 4-1/4 in opening | 360 degrees | Indexed every 30 degrees; 21.3 lb |
The 6 Best Bench Vises
1. VEVOR Bench Vise, 6 Inch Jaw Width
A 6 inch jaw width, 5.9 inch opening and 3.5 inch throat vise in powder-coated ductile iron with replaceable toothed carbon steel jaw plates, a 360 degree locking base and a 2.9 by 3 inch anvil. The listing weight is 25 pounds.
Suits: a large-capacity shop vise. Strengths: a wide opening and an anvil. Weaknesses: the strength figures differ from other listings. Skip it if bench space is limited.
View VEVOR Bench Vise 6 Inch Jaw Width 360 Degree Swivel Base with Anvil on Amazon
2. Yost Vises LV-4 Homeowner’s Vise
A 4.5 inch jaw, 3 inch opening, 2.6 inch throat vise in gray iron with a head that rotates 240 degrees and a 3.5 by 2.7 inch anvil. The listing says mounting hardware is not included.
Suits: a home workshop. Strengths: a light 9 pound body. Weaknesses: mounting hardware not included. Skip it if you want a 360 degree head.
View Yost Vises LV-4 Homeowner’s Vise 4.5 Inch Jaw Width on Amazon
3. Wilton Mechanics Bench Vise, 6 Inch, Model 746
A 6 inch jaw, 5-3/4 inch opening and 4-1/8 inch throat vise with a 360 degree ductile iron swivel base with double lockdowns, replaceable hardened steel jaws and an enclosed spindle and nut.
Suits: a heavy mechanics vise. Strengths: replaceable jaws. Weaknesses: the listing shows 64 pounds with box dimensions of only 4.25 by 6 by 5 inches, which do not fit together. Skip it if you cannot confirm the size.
View Wilton Mechanics Bench Vise 6 Inch Jaw Width Model 746 on Amazon
4. STEINBRUCKE Table Vise, 3.2 Inch
A clamp-on vise with a 3.2 inch jaw width, a 2.79 inch maximum opening, a base clamping range up to 4 inches and a 360 degree swivel. The seller describes it for light work.
Suits: a table-edge setup. Strengths: a clamp-on base. Weaknesses: described for light work. Skip it if you need heavy-duty clamping.
View STEINBRUCKE Table Vise 3.2 Inch 360 Degree Swivel Clamp-On on Amazon
5. AV Steel 4-1/2 Inch Bench Vise
A 4.5 inch cast iron vise with a 3-3/4 inch maximum opening, a 240 degree swivel base and a 3-1/4 inch square anvil. The listing gives a pipe jaw range of 5/8 to 1-7/8 inches.
Suits: mid-size shop work. Strengths: a pipe jaw range. Weaknesses: the listing gives two slightly different weights. Skip it if you want a 360 degree base.
View AV Steel 4-1/2 Inch Bench Vise 240 Degree Swivel Locking Base on Amazon
6. Wilton Multi-Purpose Bench Vise, 4-1/2 Inch, Model 450P
A 4-1/2 inch jaw, 4-1/4 inch opening and 2-1/4 inch throat cast iron vise with a 360 degree head indexed every 30 degrees, replaceable steel pipe jaws, a V-jaw for round stock and a built-in anvil.
Suits: round stock and pipe. Strengths: indexed positions. Weaknesses: a 21.3 pound body. Skip it if you want a lighter vise.
View Wilton Multi-Purpose Bench Vise 4-1/2 Inch Model 450P on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Follow the maker’s instructions for mounting and maintenance.
- Compare jaw width and opening.
- Check whether mounting hardware is included.
- Note the swivel range.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Ordering a bolt-down vise without mounting hardware.
- Comparing vises on strength figures that listings state differently.
- Choosing the jaw width without checking the opening.
- Ignoring the weight difference between models.
Bench Vise FAQ
Which swivel the furthest?
The VEVOR, Wilton 746, STEINBRUCKE and Wilton 450P list 360 degrees. The Yost and AV Steel list 240.
Which clamps to a table?
Only the STEINBRUCKE here is a clamp-on model.
The Short Version
For a wide opening, the VEVOR. For a home shop, the Yost LV-4. For a mechanics vise, the Wilton 746. For a table edge, the STEINBRUCKE. For a mid-size cast iron body, the AV Steel. For indexed positions, the Wilton 450P.
