Vices

About Vices

Vices are essential workshop tools designed to securely hold workpieces in place during cutting, drilling, filing, shaping and assembly operations. A quality vice provides a stable third hand, allowing tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts to work with precision and safety across metalworking, woodworking and engineering tasks. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks a comprehensive range of vices to suit every workshop requirement, from heavy-duty bench vices for general fabrication to specialised pin vices for delicate work.

Our vice category encompasses multiple specialist types including bench vices for general-purpose clamping, drill press vices for accurate machining, engineers and mechanics vices for precision metalwork, machine vices for milling operations, pipe vices for plumbing work, and woodworking vices specifically designed for carpentry projects. Whether you're a professional tradesman equipping a commercial workshop or a home enthusiast building a garage workspace, MyToolShed.co.uk offers vices built to withstand demanding daily use.

Applications

Vices are indispensable across numerous trades and applications:

• Engineering and metalwork: Holding components for filing, drilling, tapping threads, grinding and precision measurement
• Carpentry and joinery: Securing timber during planing, sawing, chiselling and assembly of furniture and frameworks
• Plumbing: Gripping pipes firmly for cutting, threading and fitting preparation
• Automotive and mechanics: Holding parts during repair, modification and fabrication work
• Model making and jewellery: Precision holding of small components using pin vices
• General maintenance: DIY repairs, hobby projects and household tasks requiring secure workpiece positioning
• Manufacturing and production: Repetitive machining operations requiring consistent clamping

Choosing The Right Vices

Selecting the appropriate vice depends on several key factors:

• Jaw width: Determines maximum workpiece size; common sizes range from 75mm for light duties to 200mm+ for heavy fabrication
• Mounting type: Bench-mounted, machine-mounted or portable clamp-on varieties suit different workshop configurations
• Material construction: Cast iron provides durability for heavy work, whilst lighter alloys suit portable applications
• Jaw material: Steel jaws for metalwork, soft jaw inserts or wooden jaws protect finished surfaces
• Throat depth: Greater depth accommodates larger workpieces away from the bench edge
• Swivel base: Rotational capability improves access angles for complex workpieces
• Application specificity: Woodworking vices feature wider jaws and quick-release mechanisms, whilst engineering vices prioritise precision and rigidity

Frequently Asked Questions

What size vice do I need for a home workshop?

A 100-125mm jaw width bench vice suits most home workshops, providing sufficient capacity for general DIY, metalwork and woodworking tasks without dominating limited bench space. Professional tradespeople typically opt for 150mm or larger depending on their specialisation.

Can I use the same vice for metalwork and woodwork?

Whilst possible, dedicated vices perform better for their intended purpose. Metalworking vices feature harder jaws and greater clamping force, whilst woodworking vices offer wider jaws, quick-release mechanisms and often include dog holes. Consider interchangeable soft jaw covers if using one vice for multiple materials.

How do I maintain my vice?

Regularly clean debris from screw threads and sliding surfaces, apply light machine oil to moving parts, and check mounting bolts remain tight. Protect jaw faces from damage by using soft jaw covers when working with finished surfaces, and avoid exceeding the vice's maximum clamping force to prevent thread wear.