What is an engineer’s vise?
An engineer’s vise (sometimes spelled vice) is a broad category of vises used for heavy duty vise work. I say it’s broad category as there are many different models of vises (with different features and characteristics) that can be called an engineer’s vise. People tend to use these terms colloquially, and neither people nor companies […] Read More
What are the 3 different types of metalworking vise?
Before I begin, I just want to state that most metalworking vises (sometimes spelled vices) have more in common than not. Which means the differences between them is usually pretty small – with the noticeable exception perhaps being the leg vise, more on that later. I also want to stress that most people refer to […] Read More
How does a metalworking vise work?
A metalworking vise (sometimes spelled vice) has two parallel jaws that clamp together to hold an object in place. How do metalworking vise jaws work? One jaw is stationary and attached to the main body of the vise. This provides additional stability. The other jaw moves, this dynamic jaw is moved towards or away from […] Read More
What are the different types of metalworking vise bases?
A metalworking vise (sometimes spelled vice) may have a number of different base types. These base types each come with distinct advantages and disadvantages. In this article I will try and go over the different bases and elaborate the pros and cons of each. Fixed Bases A fixed base vise is installed to a work […] Read More
Anatomy of a Vise Tool.
A vise, sometimes called a vice, is made of a number of different components. This can lead to a number of questions such as: what are the different parts of a metal working vise? What are they called? What do they do? I will try and answer these questions and more in this article. The […] Read More
19 Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Vise
A Vise is not a complicated tool. Bolt it to the table, turn the handle, and clamp your work piece. Despite its simplicity, there are still a number of things you can do to make your work easier, and to ensure the longevity and health of your vise. 1. Support Work That Is Too Long […] Read More
What Is A Quick-Release Feature In A Vise?
A quick release feature in a vise is a mechanism that allows you to quickly open the jaws of a vise without having to tediously crank the handle for a bunch of rotations. A quick release vise can be a tremendous time saver, particularly in high volume situations where you are taking items in and […] Read More
What are vise jaw pads?
Vise jaw pads are soft pads placed over your vise jaws that protect softer materials from being damaged by your vise jaws while clamping. They also increase the longevity of your vise jaws by providing a layer of protection. Vise jaws on metal working vises are made of serrated hardened steel. This ridge-like hardened steel […] Read More