Types of vises are used to perform different operations such as planing, sawing, drilling, etc. Now you can see a bench vise is one of the most essential pieces of equipment that must be seen in the workshop.
A bench vise doesn’t need to be attached to the workbench as long as the working surface is stable. It can be installed either directly on the surface or on the side. The one installed directly to the top of a surface contains, enabling the vise to rotate as required.
Due to the broad use of vices, today I will expose the different types of vises and their applications. Keep on reading!
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What is a vice?
Engineers use a vise, a mechanical device, to hold a workpiece rigid and stationary. It is used in different areas and fields such as woodworking, metalworking, mechanical engineering, etc., due to its wide applications.
The name “bench vise” or “workbench vise” comes from the attachment of the vise to the bench. Operators attach a bench vise to a bench for easy accessibility and comfort during use.
A vise is made of metal entirely; for this reason, linings in the jaws are made with wood or similar materials. This process assists the integrity of the workpiece.
Jaws are replaceable if worn out over time. Bench vises vary according to their application, strength, and durability; i.e., medium-duty and heavy-duty vises are common for industrial use. Well, bench vises can function as an anvil.
Different Types of Vices
The various kinds of vices are woodworking vices, metalworking vices, heavy-duty vices, medium-duty bench vices, yoke vices, pipe vices, and chain vices.
Bench Vice
A bench vise, featuring a cast iron body and jaws, is essential equipment in the workshop. It has two jaw plates installed on each jaw and is securely fastened to the bench with nuts and bolts. To improve grip, the jaw plates’ gripping surfaces are knurled. While the second jaw is moveable with the aid of a handle, the first jaw is attached to the body.
Because of their tapered forms and initial reads in, both jaws enable securely holding the workpiece. Using a handle to spin the moveable jaw, the work is inserted between the jaw plates and well tightened.
Bench vises come in various styles, such as grey cast iron fixed jaws, grey cast iron moving jaws, tool steel jaw plates, mild steel spindles, mild steel handles, and cast iron box nuts.
The vise should be positioned at elbow height for workers, or around one meter up from the factory floor. The vise that holds the long workpiece vertically has to be level and extend slightly over the edge of the workbench.
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Woodworking vice
A vise used in this condition is in a woodworking shop. These types of vises consist of jaws; one helps to secure the workpiece and the second jaw moves against the other to hold the object firmly.
A screw mechanism allows the movement of the jaw. Typically, one can construct a woodworking vise from metal, wood, or plastic. Depending on the specific application.
Metalworking vice
These types of vises are also known as engineer’s vises or machinist vises. Instead of wood, it holds the metal piece in place in this situation. A metalworking vise is sometimes made of cast steel but mostly made of cast iron, making its channel bar steel. Cast iron is used because it is strong, rigid, and inexpensive.
Operations done with a metalworking vise are usually cutting and filing. Jaws in this vise are often separated in the piece so that they can be replaceable. For delicate work, the jaws are covered with a soft layer such as aluminum, copper, wood, or plastic. This is done to protect the material.
Metalwork vice is often bolted on a workbench, with the face of the jaws jutting out a little over the front edge. The vises may also have small anvils behind the vise bodies. However, they are often available in swivel bases
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Heavy-duty vice
The heavy-duty bench vise is often made from iron to withstand heavy applications applied to it. Its parts include separated steel jaws, an ACME-threaded main screw, and a precision slide bar. Heavy-duty bench vises are available in the stationary stand or feature a 360-degree swivel. This vise is also referred to as a machinist’s vise.
Medium-duty bench vice
This vise is closely related to the one heavy-duty bench vise. It is made of iron and also gives the chance of replacing its steel top jaws. Some of these types of jaws also feature a 360-degree swivel and a built-in anvil.
Yoke vice
The yoke vise is known as a hinged vise or adjustable jaw vise; it uses a screw to clamp the pipe in place. A fixed V-shaped lower jaw and moveable upper jaw hold lengths of pipe firmly. These jaws are serrated for proper gripping of the object.
Pipe vice
Plumbing jobs use the vise to hold pipes or secure tubing during cutting or threading. It is designed to hold pipes in small diameters as small as 3mm or as large as 200 mm. It may be fitted on a workbench or used with a mobile tripod stand.
Projects outside the workshop typically use the stand because it is portable and easy to transport. It can also be combined in two or more for long lengths of pipe.
Chain vice
A chain vise uses a chain to secure the pipe. The pipe is held in a v-shaped by the chain clamping around the pipe tightly. This chain is made of high-tensile steel, making it work well with irregular-shaped pipes or other objects.
The chain vise tends to have a larger working range and capacity because the length of the chain limits the working range of the vise. The large clamping surface of the chain determines the entire circumference of the pipe it can hold securely.
One of the greater disadvantages of this vise is that securing a pipe in place with a chain vise takes more time than other vises. This is because the chain must be carefully threaded between the jaws of the tool to clamp the pipe firmly in place.
Machine Vice
A Machine Vice is a versatile tool used in fitting shops for various tasks like sharpening, milling, drilling, and grinding. Made of grey cast iron, it features a fixed jaw machined at 90° and a movable jaw that moves backward and forward through a spindle.
The vise can rotate at any angle (0 to 360 degrees) on its base, making it ideal for holding jobs during milling, drilling, and machining. Its size is measured by the jaws.
Tool and die maker sections use the universal machine vise, which has its jaw open parallel to the base and adjustable at any angle. The vertical machine vice allows for clamping on the table, while the drill machine vice grips pipes and cylindrical bars firmly for operations like cutting and threading.
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Leg Vice
The leg vise material is forged steel. A smithy shop uses it to withstand blows. In a fitter shop, it works best for severe hammering, chipping, and cutting. The adjustable jaw is pushed by a flat spring that is positioned beneath both jaws.
The handle of the spindle is longer than the bench vise, and the spindle features square-cut threads. Therefore, hammering jobs utilize it.
Conclusion
Vises are essential tools across many industries, providing a firm and stable hold for different types of work. Each type of vise, be it a heavy-duty bench vise, a specialized pipe vise, or a precise machine vise, caters to specific tasks and materials. With knowledge of the various types of vises, you can select the right tool for the job, improving efficiency, accuracy, and safety in your projects.
FAQs on Types of Vises
What is the main purpose of a vise?
A vise securely holds a workpiece in place, allowing for hands-free operation during tasks like cutting, drilling, filing, or welding.
Which type of vise is most common in workshops?
The bench vise is the most commonly used type, popular for its versatility with metal, wood, and plastic workpieces.
What is the difference between a woodworking vise and a metalworking vise?
A woodworking vise usually has smooth jaws to avoid damaging wood, while a metalworking vise has serrated jaws for a stronger grip on metals.
Can I use a pipe vise for regular materials like wood or metal sheets?
No, pipe vises are specially designed to grip round objects like pipes and are not ideal for flat or irregularly shaped materials.
Are clamp-on vises strong enough for heavy work?
Clamp-on vises are designed for light- to medium-duty tasks. For heavy work, a permanently mounted bench vise is recommended.
How do I maintain a vise?
Regularly clean the jaws, lubricate moving parts, and avoid overtightening to prevent wear and prolong the vise’s lifespan.