Home tools Buyer's Guides from tech enthusiast who loves technology and clever solutions for better living.
Best vise 2018 – [Buyer’s Guide]
Last Updated March 1, 2023
Hey, I’m Brayden Diaz. After more than 44 hours of research, including interviewing two experts and spending 10 hours testing 24 popular vise, I found the best vise of 2018.
I will go through the main features and what you should consider when deciding which one to pick over the other. In this section we provide our readers with a comparison table of our top picks. Scroll past the table for a closer look at each of the 3 best vise in our review section.
Best vise of 2018
I make the search easier for you, by reviewing the best vise on the market. I’ve based my selection methodology on customer feedback, the size, functionality, and budget to meet various demands. Welcome to my website! If you plan to buy vise and looking for some recommendations, you have come to the right place. The above tidbits will bring you closer to selecting vise that best serves your needs and as per your budget.
Test Results and Ratings
| Rank | №1 | №2 | №3 |
| Product |  |
 |
 |
| Total | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Style |
5 points
|
5 points
|
4 points
|
| Versatility |
4 points
|
5 points
|
4 points
|
| Performance |
5 points
|
4 points
|
5 points
|
| Value |
5 points
|
4 points
|
4 points
|
| Awards |  |
||
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the vise by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
№1 – Yost BV-4 Bench Vise
| Total: |
4.8
|
Why did this vise win the first place?
I don’t know anything about other models from this brand, but I am fully satisfied with this product. I really enjoy the design. It is compact, comfortable and reliable. And it looks amazing! I am very happy with the purchase. It is definitely worth its money. The product is top-notch! The material is stylish, but it smells for the first couple of days.
5
|
4
|
5
|
5
|
№2 – Yost Vises 445 4.5″ Utility Combination Pipe and Bench Vise
| Total: |
4.5
|
Why did this vise come in second place?
The material is pretty strong and easy to wash if needed. Managers explained me all the details about the product range, price, and delivery. I recommend you to consider buying this model, it definitely worth its money. This is a pretty decent product that perfectly fitted the interior of our office.
5
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
№3 – Yost LV-4 Home Vise 4-1/2″
| Total: |
4.3
|
Why did this vise take third place?
This price is appropriate since the product is very well built. It doesn’t squeaks nor bents. Looks great in my apartment. I hope that the good reputation of the manufacturer will guarantee a long-term work. I liked the design. We’ve been using it for 2 months and it still looks like brand new.
4
|
4
|
5
|
4
|
vise Buyer’s Guide
Buffalo
Charles Parker / Parker / Chas. Parker: Parkers are this author’s (mjozefow) favorite vise. They are famous for the shape of the jaws on their machinist vises. The jaw shape allows for more complete access to the workpiece being clamped.
Some history on the company and Charles Parker himself: “The Meriden Enterprise Center is a large manufacturing plant that is home to over 60 businesses, located in the center of Connecticut.
By 1860, he owned several large factories and employed hundreds of people, in and around Meriden. Parker products included hardware and house wares, flatware, clocks, lamps, piano stools and benches, vises, coffee mills, industrial machinery, and, after 1862, guns. Guns, however, never to Remington Arms Company in 1934, and Remington continued the Parker shotgun line until World War II.
RIDGID
Older Ridgid vises were made in Elyra Ohio. They feature rectangular slides, and a fairly square jaw profile. They are very high quality vises.
In more resent years, the company has introduced an all-steel vise of laminated construction. Overall, reviews are very favorable, and many like the sleeker styling offered. These drop forged Ridgid vises are made in Gevelsberg/Germany since 1910.
Lubrication requirements
Your vise should be re-lubricated on a fairly regular basis. The frequency will depend on how often it is used. For normal, but frequent use, re-lube annually. If your vise has an exposed lead screw, wipe it off and re-lube monthly. They collect a lot of grit.
The lead screw is the only thing that really NEEDS to be lubricated. I like to put a coat of paste wax on the slides though. It keeps them rust fee, and adds a bit of slipperiness to the slide.
Vice construction
The vice should be solid and of good build quality. Material used varies from cheaper cast or mild steel and composite plastics through to quality stainless steel and machine cut alloy. Stainless steel is best for the main body of the vice.
Trim bag
Off cuts of fur, feather, thread, wire and tinsel can quickly accumulate on your work top, or drop on the carpet where they’ll stubbornly remain despite your best efforts with a vacuum cleaner. Attach a trim bag to your vice stem and deposit all the rubbish into this before emptying into the bin at the end of the day.
G-clamp
The second contender from the formidable Wolff Industries also comes with a warranty that is free from defects in both its labor and materials — something that I find highly indispensable when I was still choosing my fly tying vise.
Its tool steel jaws are boosted by its body’s stainless steel construction and the flexible 6/0 to 3hook range. The flexibility continues with the product’s in-line rotary left and right along with the much-needed hand-tying adjustment.
The Apex Rotary Fly Tying Vise is also detailed with an easy-to-follow instruction right from its vise head position, its jaws, down to its lock handle and black wing nut. Every inch of the detail is supplied to get you not only started but arm you with ways to make your flies masterfully-put together.
Heat resistant
The PanaVise 30is a fantastic mini vise. Perfect for smaller precision work including jewellery making, electronics and so much more. The versatility of the jaw placement and movement is invaluable to any project that works with precious or semi-precious materials. One of the PanaVise’s biggest draws here that should be noted is its resistance to heat. Mini vises are sometimes made of inferior products such as cheap plastic, as they can relegated to the notion that they are only for crafts or little hobbies.
Whereas, the PanaVise is a very serious and technical piece of kit. It is capable in assisting with various tasks such as soldering, light welding and grinding. That is what makes the 30such a versatile vise, it can turn its hand to anything and withstand so much more than is initially evident by its size.
Value for money
The Wilton 14500 4500 is strong and sturdy and perfect for medium to heavy duty work. The two anvil areas are perfectly primed for a pounding and are great for metalwork of all shapes and sizes. The reversible jaw feature is great and allows you to work with larger pieces of material than it the norm this 2017.
The swivel handle design needs some improvement
As a product of one of the leading provider of superior products, the Black & Decker WM12is a great portable workbench of all time. It is strong and has a capability of withstanding a weight of about 350 pounds. Elegant, simple and highly stable. It opens and closes easily and is made of steel tubes for strength. With retention grooves for versatility in clamping of various materials and swivel pegs, this fixture is a must-have for any craftsman looking for a workbench. It has non-skid legs to give the whole body a firm grip on the ground. The bench is flatly foldable for compactness and storage. This is highly recommended if what you are looking for is a bench that can be moved from place to place.
Versatile and ideal for any DIY user
This is a solution for enthusiasts, hobbyists, novice artisans, construction workers and professionals looking for a tough fixture that doubles as an ideal workmate. With over seven decades of experience in the manufacturing industry, Keter Plastic comes as a reputable company with popular brands of various products. Keter workbenches are a good example. This folding table comes with adjustable feet made from aluminum with the whole system setup taking less than a minute. What else do you need from a workbench that saves you lots of time and ensures efficiency? Keter Adjustable folding workbench is durable, is built with adjustable clamps for firm holds, a rough surface to cater for a wide variety of materials to be repaired on it, as well as being able to withstand up to 700 pounds. This workbench is recommended if you need an adjustable workbench for various projects.
It easily opens and folds for compactness
That this product has made it in the list for Black & Decker, is no surprise; as the manufacturer designs them to cater for the needs we all look for in a work table, that makes for a great companion. Giving you freedom with convenience and carrying out a myriad of tasks, it comes as a versatile and durable workbench, which is lightweight, making it so durable. It interestingly comes with a quick release handle for a snap folding process and easy transport, as well as when it comes to its storage. The solid frame and sturdy structure offers great performance as well as ensuring your safety when you’re working. The WM1000 has a strong and spacious bamboo surface with a heavy gauge and strong steel frames that can hold up to 550 pounds. It also comes with swivel pegs for versatility in clamping. This workbench is recommended for those who want a safe and versatile workbench.
Small for large projects
This is another versatile, attractive, durable work table that doesn’t disappoint when it comes to delivering what it is claimed to do. Though it only supports a total weight of 200 pounds, it is compact and supports the weight without a wobble. What is even amazing and what makes it portable is its ability to fold and save on space and storage. A one hand clamp system allows for smooth operation as well as providing great freedom in the adjustment of saws for a task. This Performance Tool product comes with a printed grid for measurement needs as well as a protractor and a ruler for more convenience and work efficiency. Its jaws are specially designed to be warp-resistant and can be customized to fit the desired angle to hold differently shaped materials. This is a good choice workbench for carrying out different projects at home; it is highly recommended.
Nor-Vise have been around for along time.
Nor-Vise is the tool for all serious anglers. A full-size, high-quality material made vise. Easy and faster tying. This comes in handy if you especially want adjustable bent arm and midge jaw conversion. No confusion; no gimmicks. Not compromise with quality vises.
A perfect, mid range vise that you will be using several years. All parts are made with accuracy. Finished using top notch stainless steel. That is a great vise to use to make the saltwater pattern.
And the winner is…
Eclipse EWWQR7-NA Quick Release Woodworking Vise delivers good durability and strength. To top it up, the coating gives this model a soothing appeal and protects it from rusting, which is a common issue for many vises. The fit and finish is just perfect. The construction is also nice, which is important when you use something for many decades.
The router is arguably the most important tool in woodw…
The quality of the edge hold system correlates directly to the quality of the vise. Most entry level vises will use a simple channel system to hold the ski or snowboard upright. This allows access to the edge for sharpening and honing, but makes it difficult to treat the side and base edges from this position. For snowboarders this is often the only option, as snowboards need a deep channel to hold the board still. The next step up in edge holding systems is a slant channel by angling the ski both side and base edges are easy to access and work on. As with the upright channels, slant channels will still allow the ski to move around. Premium vises will have a channel system that uses rubberized thumb screws to fix the ski into position preventing any movement. Most will also have a release on the vise that lets the ski sit vertical or at an angle depending on the preference of the tuner.
Different waxing irons can produce drastically different results, and no you’re mom’s old iron, or the one you found at a thrift store do not work here. Clothing irons are responsible for more tuning mistakes and ski damage than just about anything else. These irons usually contain pores that hold dirt and dust and work from 140 degrees Celsius to 240 degrees Celsius, where most waxes need to be melted between 100 degrees Celsius to 150 degrees Celsius. So not only will these waxing irons contaminate a ski base, but are nowhere near sensitive enough properly wax a ski. When looking at a tuning iron the two important features are the temperature control system and overall thickness and shape of the plate.
Plate Thickness directly corresponds to the quality of an iron. As the plate gets thicker the better the iron will be. The thicker the plate the longer the iron will take to heat, but will also hold a much more consistent temperature. This allows the wax to melt evenly and more precise than thinner plates. For most recreational tuners an millimeter thick plate will do the job very well. As the need for a fast ski increases, and pure fluorocarbon waxes are going to be ironed into the ski 1to 2millimeter plates allow the unchanging heat levels needed. Most of the thicker plates will also have a hard angled area for the application of powdered waxes.
Temperature Controls and their adjustability will also fluctuate greatly with the quality of the iron. The most basic irons will simply have an on/off setting, usually keeping the iron around 12degrees Celsius, with an indicator light for when the iron reaches maximum temperature. The next level of sensitivity incorporates an adjustable dial to roughly adjust iron temperature, usually between 100 to 150 degrees Celsius, with a light indicator for when the iron has reached the intended temperature. Most recreational tuners uses a dial adjust iron for the temperature flexibility at a very reasonable price. The controls most often found in tune shops and on the race benches are digital readout adjustable irons. These irons will have the same indicator light as lesser quality irons, but are micro-processor controlled in either five or single degree increments depending on how specific they need to be. Most five degree adjustable irons work from 100 to 160 degrees Celsius while one degree adjustable irons will go up to 180 degrees Celsius for pure fluorocarbon waxes and are crucial for racers in need of that extra edge on the course.
Waxing Corks can be very handy problem solvers as well as inexpensive iron alternatives. In emergency situations (i.e. forgetting to wax, or missing the temperature all together) corks can buff a quick layer of wax onto a ski or snowboard base. The friction between the ski and cork will heat most waxes to a point that they can be absorbed into the p-tex material. This style of application works well in the short term but given a half to a full day of skiing the coat corked into the base will no longer exist. Corks are also commonly seen on the race hill for last minute application of pure fluorocarbon powders that only last a few runs and need to be applied right before a race run. The convenience of cork material often makes entry level tuners gravitate towards using cork instead of an iron. The down side to using a waxing cork is the increased amount of effort to actually apply wax, and that ironed on wax will last anywhere from seven to ten days, making it far more affective. Also, ironing wax into a ski or snowboard base helps condition the base with every coat, which protects the base in the long term.
Workstand
Beyond basic tools and a track pump, a workstand (or repair stand) is the greatest addition you can make to your bike servicing set up. It enables you to focus on the task at hand without worrying about the bike toppling over.
Sure, you can flip the bike upside-down to spin the wheel and adjust the brakes and gears, but that just won’t suffice for many repairs.
For most home mechanics, a tube clamp stand is the way to go. This sort of workstand allows you to fix bikes with both wheels in place. For this, the Park Tool Home Mechanic PSC-is the stand to beat. It can be found reasonably cheaply, its clamp fits nearly every bike, it can be folded down and it’s built to last.
Wheel truing stand
Basic wheel truing can be achieved with the wheel in the bike, using a zip tie or similar as a gauge, but for more involved and accurate repairs you can’t beat a truing stand. Truing, or even building, wheels requires a fairly high skill level, so a truing stand is something that only a more dedicated home mechanic needs.
I personally own a DT Swiss Proline truing stand, and while I love it, given its price, I would recommend the Park stand.
Electric drill
An electric drill is great for drilling holes, but many shop mechanics will also use a drill to install and remove disc brake rotor bolts that are covered in Loctite, and make for tedious work with hand tools.
For rotor bolts, I personally use a Milwaukee adjustable-torque driver. This works slightly differently to a drill (it’s an impact driver), but a drill is a far more useful purchase.
Air compressor
An air compressor is not a replacement for a quality track pump, but it is still a great addition to a mountain biker’s home workshop. It’s handy for seating tubeless tyres and cleaning out muck.
Be aware that this addition to your workshop will likely bother your neighbours, so it’s certainly not one for dense living environments unless you get a more expensive silenced model.
Dremel
They’re not quite so popular now that the oscillating multi-tool has become the DIY home renovation go-to, but a high-speed rotary tool can still come in handy.
Dremel is no doubt the key brand for these tools. It offers a wide range of bits for fine sanding, polishing, grinding, drilling, cutting, engraving and plenty more. I used to get plenty of use out of mine in my weight weenie years, but now it’s mostly used for fixing burred chainrings and seized components.
How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the vise by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
Final Word
First of all thanks for reading my article to the end! I hope you find my reviews listed here useful and that it allows you to make a proper comparison of what is best to fit your needs and budget. Don’t be afraid to try more than one product if your first pick doesn’t do the trick.
Most important, have fun and choose your vise wisely! Good luck!
So, TOP3 of vise
- №1 — Yost BV-4 Bench Vise
- №2 — Yost Vises 445 4.5″ Utility Combination Pipe and Bench Vise
- №3 — Yost LV-4 Home Vise 4-1/2″
Questions? Leave a comment below!
Chatting about vise is my passion! Leave me a question in the comments, I answer each and every one and would love to get to know you better!
