A metalworking vice is primarily made to clamp metal, but is also ideal for clamping any large, heavy materials, due to its strength and ability to withstand pressure, which are a result of its cast iron body.
Metal is often clamped when completing metalworking tasks such as filing, shearing, and grinding, etc. to allow the user to keep both hands free and away from the material being worked on.
Many metalworking vices are designed to bolt to the top of a workbench in order to give maximum security when clamping an object.
However there are some exceptions, such as the table vice, which is a type of metalworking vice that clamps instead of bolts to a workbench, thus allowing the vice to be portable.
The jaws of metalworking vices are often made of hardened steel with serrated edges for better grip. This means they can sometimes damage materials with softer surfaces and so jaw pads are often needed to protect a workpiece.