The vise, or vice as it is spelled in some parts of the World, has been a constant companion to the carpenter/woodworker for many centuries in one form or another. The modern vise that we are familiar with was first produced around 200 years ago in England but clamping a piece of timber to a work bench to steady it for working on has been fundamental since the industry began.
When embarking on pretty much all woodworking projects, your ability to produce a steady way to hold your subject is key to a successful outcome. A “third hand” is simply not optional, whether you are hand-planing a pine board or carving intricate details into a table leg, choosing the right woodworking vise can be the difference between a masterpiece and a botched cut.
Front vise
This is the type most people will be familiar with, also called the face vise, one will be attached to the front of the workbench to the left or right to suit the handedness of the user. Typically metal jawed with a tightening screw on the front, they are best for chiseling, planing and sawing. Choose a model with a quick-release mechanism which allows you to slide the jaw open or closed instantly without cranking the handle.
End vise
This type is also known as the tail vise and will be located at the end of the bench. It operates in tandem with movable pegs or “bench dogs” that plug into holes in the bench to hold a flat sheet or board in place for working on. This type of vise is best for surface planing and sanding large panels. Since the pressure is applied lengthwise, the workpiece remains perfectly flat and unobstructed.
Twin screw vise
As the name suggests, this type is anchored using two tightening points to spread the pressure evenly across a wider length. Sometimes the levers operate independently whereas others have a mechanism to keep them aligned. Useful for securing wide boards side by side, it also eliminates “racking,” which is when a vise jaw twists because the workpiece is on one side of the anchor point.
Moxon vise
A moxon vise is a specialised double-screw woodworking vice designed to be clamped onto the top of an existing workbench. They can be bought complete or assembled using the basic screw clamps and appropriately sized pieces of wood to be the jaws of the vise. They are primarily designed to elevate the item that is being worked on to make tasks like hand-sawing dovetails, cutting tenons or carving easier.
Leg vise
A leg vise is a traditional approach where the jaws align vertically like, and sometimes utilise, the leg of the workbench. The primary advantage is massive, rock-solid clamping force via a screw and a pivoting fulcrum (often a pin or parallel guide), preventing racking. The leg vise is mostly used for heavy-duty tasks and holding long vertical boards.
If you are just starting out, a 30 cm metal front vise is the gold standard; easy to install, affordable and handles 90% of common woodworking tasks. As your skills grow and you tackle more complex joinery, adding an end vise or a Moxon vise will naturally be your next step toward a professional-grade setup.
