A woodworking vise is a specialized tool used to securely hold workpieces in place while performing various operations such as sawing, drilling, planing, and carving. It is an essential component in any woodworking shop as it helps ensure precision and safety in woodworking projects.

Types of Woodworking Vises

Here are the common types of vises:

• Bench Vise: This is the most common type of woodworking vise and is typically mounted to a workbench. It consists of a pair of jaws that users can tighten or loosen to hold the workpiece in place.
• Face Vise: You can mount this type on the front of the workbench, allowing it to hold workpieces against the bench’s surface.
• Tail Vise: Tail vises are mounted at the end of a workbench. They are useful for holding long and narrow workpieces.
• Moxon Vise: This type is a portable, double-screw vise that is suitable for joinery work.

Vise: Woodworking Applications

The primary purpose of a woodworking vise is to securely hold workpieces in place. Here are some tasks that benefit from using the tool:

• Hand Planing: When using hand planes to smooth or shape wood, vises can hold the workpiece firmly in place. This allows users to apply even and controlled pressure on the plane for precise results.
• Sawing: When using various saws (hand saws, table saws, band saws, etc.), vises can keep the workpiece steady to prevent movement and vibration during cutting.
• Chiseling: A vises help ensure accurate and controlled cuts when carving wood using chisels.
• Drilling: A woodworking vise provides stability and accuracy when drilling as it can hold materials at the desired angle and location.
• Sanding: Vises can hold small or irregularly shaped workpieces securely for sanding. This allows users to access all areas of the wood’s surface evenly.
• Gluing: When assembling pieces of wood, vises can hold them together while the glue dries. This ensures a strong bond between the pieces.
• Assemble and Joinery: Woodworkers use vises to hold parts together when making dovetail joints, mortise, tenon joints, and other intricate joinery.
• Finishing: A woodworking vise is also useful for applying finishes such as paint and varnish, ensuring an even and consistent application.