A well-built woodworking bench vise, constructed in heavy cast iron offers smooth action with even clamping pressure for the entire depth of the work piece. A wood working bench vise often comes equipped with a quick release catch for simple and fast adjustment.

A square-bodied vise offers ease in attaching to a workbench, attaches beneath a benchtop to ensure its jaws are flush to the bench. A vise often comes with threaded holes for attaching spacers or blocks to each side for ease in holding workpieces.

Features to a work bench vise include polished guide rods, sliding stop dog and smooth action screw, vise jaws are 6 - 9-inches, and offers a maximum opening of 4 - 10¼-inches, with solid steel guidance rods to reduce the of amount of wear, ½-inche diameter handle - all to give a vise a true, smooth parallel action.

Alternatives to a traditional wood vise include the versatility of clamp-on benches or custom models -

A clamp-on bench vise offers a portable tool which can be screwed or clamped on a appropriate bench or similiar working surface, comes with parallel action in view of its accurate housing, and responsive and smooth adjustments. These clamps are built to last with cast-iron body, with handle, guide rods, and main screws in chrome plate to ensure corrosion resistance.

A quick release end vise is perfect for custom workbench applications, a heavy duty, easy-to-install tool, comes equipped with extra wide 12-inch on-center guide rods to offer maximum protection to racking, and a large 17½ handle features to accommodate most workshop projects.

A heavy, sturdy workbench vises is a perfect addition to offer one-hand operation in small to medium sized workshop set-ups. Once locked down on a workbench these vises stay put.