How to mount a bench vise?

Vises are a common sight in most workshops. They help ensure that workpieces are kept steady and secure. Being made out of two parallel jaws, an adjustment screw, and a base; a vise is a tool that’s simple to both operate and maintain.

Furthermore, they’re also quite easy to install. Avoid vices, but not vises – this guide is all about learning how to mount a bench vise. 

Uses of a bench vise

Before we show you the proper way to install a bench vise, these are the applications you can use to make good use of a vise.

1. Using a saw

Free-hand cutting without a jig or setup can be difficult. With a vise, you’ll be able to secure your workpiece as well as free one of your hands, making it easier to do off-angle cuts.

2. Working with metal

Metal tends to heat up due to friction when cutting, making it difficult to hold with your bare hands.

A vise alleviates having to touch your workpiece and also makes bending metal rods easier. You just have to place it on the vise, tighten it, and apply sufficient force.

3. Working with wood

Vises have long been used in woodworking, helping to hold down boards and planks as you cut them to size or remove old and worn nails.

4. Sanding/ filing

Sanding and filing usually require two hands – one for work and one for holding down the workpiece. A vise frees your other hand and allows you to focus more on actual sanding/filing for better results.

5. Removing bearing

A vise can be a good alternative to a bearing puller for removing armature bearings [1]. The piece is clamped securely to a vice while the bearing is pried off with a screwdriver.

6. As a workbench clamp

Vises are also used to join two or more pieces of material together.

Woodworkers would use a vise to help adjoin two planks together after applying glue until it completely dries.

7. Cracking a nut

Contrary to popular belief, a vise is surprisingly flexible enough to also be an effective tool in the kitchen.

Though not part of its original design, a vise is easily capable of cracking open nuts in your workshop when you need a break.

8. Cutting electrical conduit

Metal conduits can be meticulous to cut as they are smooth and hard making them difficult to grip.

Using a pipe clamp vise keeps the conduit steady and allows you to cut with precision.

Types of bench vises

1. Metalworking vises

Metalworking vises are mainly used to clamp down metal but are also more viable than woodworking vises when needing to secure large and heavy materials.

These are usually attached to the top of the bench surface and are able to withstand greater amounts of pressure. Their jaws are often serrated and made of hardened steel, offering better grip

2. Woodworking vises

These vises mainly differ from metalworking ones in that they are either attached to the bottom of the bench surface or are built into it.

The jaws are typically made of wood and lie flush with the benchtop.

As the most common of vise types, these typically have either wood or lined jaws to help prevent damaging the workpiece you clamp from the clamping jaws.

3. Pipe clamp bench vises

As their name suggests, these vises are mainly used to clamp pipes to a flat surface.

Pipe clamp bench vises usually come in two styles, grip (anchor) and non-grip (saddle/guide).

The two styles basically offer additional options in terms of fit requirements and movement restrictions.

What makes the ideal workshop table with a bench vise?

Ideally, you have a strong steel bench for mounting a bench vise, with a plywood replaceable top to cushion the rigid steel and prevent damage or rust marks on your projects.

A metal-framed workshop table with a plywood top is ideal for its perfect balance of rigidity and weight. This makes it stable for almost any task regardless of how rough things may get.

The plywood top can take a lot of punishment as it can absorb most of the force from impacts and is soft enough to not make any significant damage to your work.

Determine where on a bench to mount a face vise. It’s also easy to drill through any layover on a metal bench, to add some padding. Installation of bench-mount tools, such as a bench vise, is quick and simple.

How to mount a woodworking bench vise?

Mainly if you want to fashion and install a DIY woodworking vise. Here’s how to install a bench vise for woodworking:

Tools and materials needed:

Installing a woodworking bench vise you need the following materials:

• Wood
• Marker
• Ruler/measure
• Hand/power saw
• Finish coating
• Wrench
• Nuts & bolts
• Washers

Step by step procedure:

1. Measure and layout the jaw/s.
2. Estimate and rough cut the jaw/s.
3. Remove the vise from clamps.
4. Remove the backplate.
5. Remove the quick-release nut.
6. Mount the vise plate. Remember to add washers on both sides to lessen the chances of bolts getting loose over time.
7. Mount the front jaw to the vise hardware.
8. Install vise hardware into the front jaw.
9. Plane flush. 
10. Apply a finish if needed.

How to mount a metalworking bench vise?

Most are already manufactured and just require installation.

Tools and materials needed:

• Metalworking bench vise
• Tape measure
• Marker
• hand/power drill
• Nuts & bolts
• Washers

Step by step direction:

1. After selecting your worktop, position the vise around until you find the ideal spot.
2. Measure and mark where to drill.
3. Drill bolt holes.
4. Bolt and fasten the vise in place.

How to mount a pipe clamp bench vise?

If you want to DIY a custom-fit pipe clamp bench vise. Though you can purchase ready-made ones if you prefer. Here’s how to install a bench vise pipe clamp:

Tools and materials needed:

• 2 ½” Pipe clamp sets
• ½” cast iron pipe
• Tape measure
• Hand/power saw
• Ruler/engineering square
• Power drill
• Nuts & bolts
• Washers

The procedure:

1. Measure the worktable.
2. Measure out and cut out the jaws to length.
3. Align and drill the pipe holes.
4. Mount the pipe clamps to the jaws.
5. Mount jaws to the bench using nuts and hex head bolts for mounting a bench vise.

How to maintain your bench vise?

• Regularly clean and lubricate moving parts such as the adjustment screw.
• If the paint on your vise starts to chip, repaint the body.
• Remove any rust that forms and apply a protective coating.
• Take care not to cut into the jaws of your vise.
•  Avoid welding metals [2] near the base of the vise.
• Do not apply excessive pressure or hammer the handle too tight or it will bend over time.
• Do not open your vise’s jaws wider than they’re designed to.
• Do not use the jaws of your vise as an anvil.
• Do not tighten the bench vise on your fingers (Try to resist).

What other tools can you mount next to a bench vise?

1. Bench grinder

A bench grinder is a great tool to have next to your bench vise. With a capable motor and two grinding wheels, having it near your bench vise allows you to easily and constantly keep your tools sharp. If you are doing metalwork, a bench grinder allows you to smooth out and polish workpieces.

2. Bench sander

This is another tool with great synergy to a vise, especially for woodworking. A bench sander makes smoothing out longboards, bevelling wooden edges, and finishing workpieces effortless.

It’s recommended to get models with built-in dust collectors to keep your workbench clean. You can even use the vise to hold down what you’ll be sanding.

3. Scroll saw

Need to create intricate cuts in woodwork?

If so, you might want to consider installing a bench vise while cutting with a scroll saw.

When buying a scroll saw, look for one with a lot of mass to help dampen the vibrations which add to your control and maneuverability.

4. Drill press

Having a drill press is always handy when you need precisely drilled holes in any material.

Whether you’re working with wood or metal, a drill press is a worthwhile investment and should probably be on top of your list of must-have equipment if you’re serious about drilling.

Would bench vise replace clamps?

Yes and no. Though wood and metal clamps are viable, especially for simpler tasks, a bench vise just offers more flexibility and strength for holding smaller objects securely.

Being securely mounted on a table, a bench vise is less likely to fail than clamps.

It is also compatible with a wider array of workpieces, materials, and all.

Conclusion

Anyone who takes pride in their work is bound to have at least 1 vise. In the world of building, a vise is as essential to the worker as an outlet is to a power tool.

Work cleanly, effectively, and safely knowing that your workpiece is unfailingly held in place by a reliable vise.

There’s a vise for wood, metal, and all material in-between and beyond, so don’t fret about falling short on these handy material grippers.

For portability you can look into getting a workmate, it uses your body weight instead of a workbench to clamp your woodworking projects.