How to Select the Right Metalworking Bench Vise?

Vises are among the most important equipment required in a number of mechanical operations. The equipment features two parallel jaws. A work piece is kept in between these two jaws and a lever is used to bring the jaws together. This helps in holding the work piece firmly in place. Be it model making, woodworking, metalworking, or electronics, the vises are used to keep your hands at a safe distance from the work piece. These equipment are to be selected properly for an effective operation. What are the things to consider to make sure you choose the most suitable vise for your metalworking project? This post will guide you through the selection process of buying the right type of metalworking bench vise for your application.

Things to Consider for Buying the Right Metalworking Bench Vise
Sometimes, selecting the most suitable type of metalworking bench vise can get tricky. The following things will help you select the right vise:

1. Throat Depth of the Vise: It is one of the most important things to consider, while selecting a bench vise. Before you buy a vise, you should check its throat depth from the top side of its jaws to the top side of the slide below the jaws. If the throat depth is large enough, it will allow you to hold larger work pieces. It is therefore advisable to unwind the vise to its fullest to make sure it is capable of holding your work piece.
2. Size of the Objects Used with the Vise: This point is related to the one above. You have to have an understanding about the size of the object that is to be used with the vise you wish to buy. Metalworking bench vises can have different jaw widths, such as 4, 5, 6, and 8 inches. As the size of the object to be held in the vise goes on increasing, so does the jaw width.
3. Overall Weight of the Vise: Another thing to consider is the construction and the overall weight of the bench vise. Although the jaw width of two vises is the same, their weight may vary. You should compare the two vises to understand the difference in their construction. You should check whether your workbench is capable of bearing the weight of a heavier vise.
4. Use of the Vise: Last but not the least – how are you going to use the bench vise? Are you planning to use the vise as an anvil and make use of hammer over it? If so, you need to make sure whether the bench vise is capable to survive the abuse. In case hammering is involved in your work, then you should go with a vise that has a large rear anvil.

By taking into account all the considerations explained above, it will help make the selection process of the metalworking bench vise for your application easier. However, there are different types of vises available in the market, so it might get tough for you to make the right choice. In such cases, it is always advisable to take help from an expert. Woodward Fab is an expert manufacturer and provider of good quality metalworking bench vises.