The best locksmith and machine vices for home and work: review, rating, photo, specifications, price

Any master would like to have in his home workshop, if not the best, then at least very good vise. This type of locksmith equipment is often forgotten when buying the first thing that comes to hand. The accuracy of manual processing of parts with a tool depends on the model, material and quality of work of the vise.

What to look for when choosing a vice?

Despite the external similarity of the models, there are differences in the design, and quite serious. Which vise is better — the question is complex, each master selects the tool on his own. They may differ in size, shape of the fixing jaws, material from which the base, slider (moving part) and drive are made.

When choosing, you need to pay attention to:

1. The maximum distance that the jaws diverge. This determines the largest size of the part that can be fixed in a vice.
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2. Throat depth or distance between the top edge and the screw. Often this dimension is more important than the maximum opening that the slider and base are capable of moving apart.
3. The presence of a turntable, the base can be rotated in a horizontal plane at an angle of up to 90O.
4. Material: steel or cast iron. Clamping jaws can be additionally equipped with rubber pads for working with plastic or wood.
5. In addition to the material, you need to pay attention to the design of the screw drive. It can be a regular screw with a metric thread or a reinforced version with a strong trapezoidal profile.

Accordingly, in the first case, the drive may consist of a pair: a screw, and a counterpart — a thread cut inside the hole of the body of the slider. Second option — the support heel is made in the form of a sleeve pressed into the massive body.

At first glance, the difference is small, but such a screw drive with a bushing allows you to fine-tune the work of the screw-bushing pair, at the same time avoiding the situation with the slider misalignment. Moreover, in the event of a drive failure, it can be easily repaired by replacing the pair with a repair one.

Comparison of steel and cast iron

There are many reasons to choose between steel and cast iron vices. Steel tooling is recommended for heavy metal work in a situation where the part has to be struck hammer or even a sledgehammer. Steel is much stronger than cast iron, so the dimensions are smaller, even with the same clamping force.

The steel base and the slider can better withstand the alternating and vibrating load.

Cast iron is always in the ranking of the best vise, they are more massive and heavy, which is their main advantage. Cast iron holds its shape well. Therefore, cast iron vise is used for locksmith work that requires greater accuracy and stability.

The cast iron base and slider do not “diverge” and do not float under load, especially if the part needs to be held and processed with different tools for a long time. Machine models are also made of cast iron, but they are of no interest to the average user.

Rating of the best

Equipment requirements can vary significantly depending on the planned type of work. Usually, for simple locksmith and carpentry work, a universal model is sufficient, but in many cases it is more appropriate to use specialized models.

For the correct selection of tools for a specific type of work, it is necessary to consider:

• resistance of the material to shock and vibration load;
• the size of the clamping jaws and the reach of the slider;
• strength and rigidity of the guide planes.

For the repair of small metal parts at home, a massive universal vice with a neck depth and jaw opening up to 100 mm is best suited. If most of the work is associated with massive, but relatively light workpieces made of wood or plastic of complex shape, then you will need to use a vise with specially shaped jaws.

Universal vise

Fourth place: Rothenberger 70705X

Small, even compact vise weighing only 8.7 kg. They belong to the class of professional equipment. Made of alloy steel, fastened to the base with bolts. A characteristic feature of the design is the high strength of the body and reinforced lead screw with trapezoidal thread. That is, despite the compact size and low weight, the drive can develop a force of up to 1200 kg.

This model has a special shape of the sponges — with a longitudinal angular groove, which allows you to securely fix steel pipes and workpieces up to 100 mm in diameter. Jaw width — 140 mm, the slide moves away from the thrust plane by 125 mm.

A vice is used for manual work with metal blanks, straightening, pressing riveted joints, you can even chop metal with a chisel. The design is made in Germany, so the resource of the vise, even under heavy loads, is very large, up to 20 years of operation.

Price — 42 thousand rub.

Third place: GRIFF 200 station wagon (G164012)

Often used in repair shops of all types, from car service to repair of washing machines. On sale they can be found in the locksmith category, but experts classify the model as a universal professional-level vice.

The neck is often used for a variety of operations: gluing, welding, crimping and seating the bearing in the seat. The popularity of the GRIFF 200 is due to the successful design of the clamping jaws and fairly accurate screw feed.

Characteristics:

• weight — 17 kg;
• housing material — cast iron, sponges and feed screw made of tool steel;
• jaw width — 200 mm;
• maximum slide stroke — 185 mm.

In the upper part there is an anvil 90x90 mm, but this is a leveling surface. Despite the fact that the body and the slider are quite heavy and massive, hitting the surface is not recommended due to the cast-iron base. Only slight straightening with a light hammer is allowed.

A feature of the vice is a fairly narrow body of the bed — only 90 mm wide. At the same time, sponges — 200 mm, that is, the clamp overhang on one side is up to 40 mm. This makes the rig more versatile and functional than most locksmith models.

Average Price Grif 200 — 9000-9500 rub.

Runner-up: TopTul wagon DJC01103

The model is inferior in size and grip to most professional-level models. This vise is a universal plan, designed to work at a small table. Jaw width — 75 mm edge to screw distance (depth) — 51 mm. Lightweight, although made of steel. Weight — 8.5 kg.

A feature of the model is a small effort on the screw. You can fix the part by turning the screw handle, as they say, with one finger. But this does not mean that the mount is unreliable. Clamping force securely holds workpieces of any shape thanks to the serrated surface of the jaws.

TopTul DJC01103 vise is purchased for small jobs that do not require long or heavy machining. In fact, this is an intermediate option, the middle between a desktop model vice and heavy bench equipment.

Another plus — low price, only 12 thousand rubles. rub.

First place: IRWIN 114ZR

The first line of the rating of the short review of the best universal vise is occupied by the classic model IRWIN-114ZR. The design of the vise was developed by a well-known American manufacturer of hand tools, but they are produced in China under license.

A tool of a universal type, adapted to perform any repair, mechanical, assembly locksmith work in a home workshop.

Characteristics of the IRWIN 114ZR model:

• jaw width — 205 mm;
• sponge opening — 114 mm;
• housing material — cast iron;
• there is an anvil 90x100 mm;
• weight — 40 kg;
• fastening to the table is flanged with M14 bolts.

Despite the huge weight and relatively small stroke of the slider, the vise belongs to the universal class. The design uses a screw pair (screw-threaded bushing) of increased accuracy from hardened steel. Thanks to this, the vise is controlled much more accurately than any locksmith, professional type. Therefore, they are often used not only as a tool for fixing workpieces, but also for joining parts by pressing.

Another plus — The design of the screw is quick-release, which means that it takes much less time to retract the slider than on a conventional vice.

Cost of IRWIN 114ZR — 51 thousand rub.

Specialized vise

Many craftsmen and DIY enthusiasts prefer to have several types of special-purpose tools in their own workshop. Usually it's a vise — clamps of different calibers or equipment for fixing parts of a non-standard shape.

Fourth Place: Rockforce RF-32936 Clamp Vise

The clamp is made of cast iron and steel, belongs to the class of professional equipment. This is something between a full-fledged vise and a classic screw clamp. Vise-clamps can be mounted on a workbench with a few bolts, but most often they are used as a fixer for parts on complex welded rolled structures.

Characteristics:

• weight — 3.1 kg;
• the width and height of the jaws are 150 mm and 51 mm, respectively;
• sliding stroke — 115 mm.

There is no swivel joint in the design of the vice, since the main requirement for fixed parts — lack of shearing and rotating movements. For carpentry parts, a vice is practically not used due to the small width of the supporting surface.

Average price per tool — 2500 rub.

Third place: TOPEX model vice 07A310

Very light weight, made of hardened aluminum alloy. For mounting on the supporting surface, a clamp-type clamp is used, so the vise can be installed directly on the desktop.

Design features:

• all parts from VT95, except for clamps and a screw pair, these two parts are made of hardened steel;
• sponges 100 mm wide are covered with a rubber pad;
• working space — 100x95 mm, depth — 50 mm.
• the drive is soft enough, so it is almost impossible to crush the part in a vice when clamping.

A vice is often used as an auxiliary tool, for example, in cases where a part needs to be installed on two points of support during processing. TOPEX 07A310 are optimally suited for fixing thin-walled tubes, sheet metal structures.

Runner-up: WILTON WWV P-6 Portable Vise

The design was developed for the American market, but has been produced by companies in India for a long time. Belongs to the class of carpentry clamps for household purposes. The magnitude of the force developed on the screw drive does not exceed 100 kg. Clamping surface size — 140x65 mm, maximum slider opening relative to the base — 120 mm, so the Wilton vise can be used for gluing packages of several parts.

Wilton benefits include:

• very robust construction, nodular cast iron is used;
• precise drive, the screw pair is made with high precision, it works with virtually no backlash;
• light weight — 2.9 kg.

The maximum width and height of the vise is 160mm and 190mm respectively. The tool turned out to be quite compact and light. Therefore, it can be taken to the country along with the rest of the tool for carpentry and home repairs.

average price — 4000 rub.

First place: multi-position vice STANLEY183069

In this design, the fixing jaws are attached to the base using a transitional hinge. This makes it possible to set the slider-base pair in almost any position relative to the table. The main purpose — processing of parts made of wood and plastic.

Designed in the USA but made in China.

The structure is completely made of alloy steel, the base is attached to the table with a clamp. All screws, including the main drive, have been heat-treated and hardened, so the vise after clamping retains its position even under a load of several tens of kilograms.

Characteristics:

• weight — 1.6 kg;
• clamping plane width — 75 mm;
• clamp height — 40 mm;
• jaws extend up to 70 mm.

For fixing thin-walled parts in a vice, additional rubber pads are provided in the kit. But, according to reviews, it is better to use ordinary cotton fabric.

Average price per vise — 2200-2300 rub. According to reviews, this is one of the most successful models for amateur ship and aircraft modeling.

The best vise for a locksmith

In a locksmith's shop, several types of vise are usually used. Specific models are selected in accordance with the nature of the work performed. You can buy a universal model, but this solution is more suitable for a garage or cottage. For complex work, both miniature models and classic vices for working with a hammer and sledgehammer will be required.

Fourth place: Standard TSS4

Desktop small-sized vice for fine locksmith work, performing precise drilling, finishing the diameter of the holes, lapping. You can use a hammer and a punch, since the vise, including the screw drive, is made of tool steel. Hull Width — 50 mm, weight — 3.2 kg.

A special feature of STANDARD TSS4 are reinforced jaws with a width of 100 mm. The support surface is grooved, so the part can be fixed without excessive force.

Third place: WILTON WS8 metalwork vice

The design provides for a minimum set of functions, so the vise is most often considered not to be universal, but to be a bench tool. All parts except screw drive and jaws are made of gray cast iron.

In fact, this is an excellent locksmith equipment, both for a home workshop or garage, and for industrial production. Jaw width and stroke — 200 mm. Weight — 33 kg.

The drive consists of a screw pair and a sleeve, so thread wear is minimal. Handle length — 450 mm, which allows you to compress the part with a force of up to one and a half tons. The only problem — large weight of the rotary handle. You need to carefully release it after the clamp, otherwise the thick steel rod can hit your fingers hard.

average price — 19500 rub.

Second place: universal vice Cobalt 246-012

They are distinguished by a peculiar design of the body and a well-thought-out design of the slider. Instead of a rough surface with a characteristic casting texture, Cobalt looks as if it was cast from aluminum. In fact, the vise is made of ductile iron. The strength of parts is only slightly inferior to structural steel.

Advantages of Cobalt 246:

1. Sturdy base, body is bolted to the table with flanges.
2. The guide shank is made in the form of a cylinder, this is the best solution if the owners use the body as a small anvil.
3. Very fast screw with a short handle. After getting used to the tool, it takes a maximum of 5-7 seconds to clamp and release the part in a vise.

Often in universal models, the vise jaws are attached to the base and slider with conventional countersunk screws. Sometimes loose fasteners cause one of the jaws to break, so in Chinese tools this part needs to be checked and adjusted regularly.

First Place: WILTON Tradesman

Vice of classic layout with a massive base and reinforced slider. The guide surface is cylindrical. This solution is typical for all models developed by the well-known company WILTON. The equipment is produced in Taiwan, so the quality of the screw drive and the main components of the metalwork equipment is quite high.

A feature of the Tradesman model is the fully enclosed propeller with support sleeve. This means that locksmith equipment can be used in relatively unfavorable conditions, with high humidity or strong dust in the atmosphere.

Features Tradesman:

• housing made of high-impact cast iron with steel inserts;
• the design includes a turntable, it is possible to turn the part in the jaws by 360O;
• weight — 32 kg;
• jaw size — 165x50 mm;
• maximum distance between jaws when fully open — 150 mm;
• depth — 100 mm.

The equipment has an anvil, but for straightening work it is recommended to use a hammer weighing no more than 300 g. Despite the fact that the manufacturer declares the vise as impact-resistant, even small blows past the platform usually cause microcracks and later chips.

The size and pitch of the threads are chosen to provide a minimum resistance to rotation, but at the same time the clamping surfaces move quickly enough.

To decide which vise to choose, you need to have at least a little experience with the appropriate equipment. In addition, you need to clearly understand what kind of work you need equipment for, whether it will be a locksmith's workplace or just a tool for a small hobby.

Tell us about which vise model you would choose for your home workshop and share the article on social networks.