What woodwork vice sizes are available?
What woodwork vice sizes are available? |
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Woodwork vices are available with jaws of different widths, ranging from light-duty models to heavy-duty models. In order to be in proportion, the whole of the vice gets bigger as the width of the jaws increases. | |||
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The following dimensions apply to all types of woodwork vice. | |||
Weight |
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Woodwork vices can range in weight, from 6 lbs to 40 lbs (2.5-18 kg approx.), depending on the size of the tool. | |||
Jaw width |
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The jaw width is how wide the jaws are from one side to another and is measured by the horizontal distance along the top of the jaw edge.
Smallest available: 150mm (6″ approx.) Largest available: 265mm (10.5″ approx.) |
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Jaw opening |
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The jaw opening of a vice is how far the mouth of the jaws can open.
Smallest available: 115mm (4.5″ approx.) Largest available: 380mm (15″ approx.) |
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Throat depth |
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The throat depth is how deep the jaws of a vice are and is measured by the vertical distance from the top edge of the jaws down to the top of the screw.
Smallest available: 50mm (2″ approx.) Largest available: 100mm (4″ approx.) |
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Clamp opening |
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The clamp opening is how wide the integrated clamp will open, when fitting onto the edge of a workbench.
The clamp on portable woodwork vices opens up to 55mm (2″ approx.), and so this is the maximum thickness that the edge of a workbench can be in order to fit into the clamp opening. |
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How to choose a woodwork vice |
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The smallest types of woodwork vice tend to be the woodcraft models, as they are designed for light-duty domestic use, such as model making and light carpentry. Plain screw and quick-release woodwork vices are bigger in size and, therefore, designed for heavier-duty work. They would be ideal for tasks that involve clamping larger and heavier objects, such as wooden beams or fencing. | |||
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The size of the vice needed depends on the shape and size of the workpiece at hand. If a user wishes to clamp large and heavy pieces of wood, then a vice with a greater jaw width/opening and throat depth would be useful, as they have a greater capacity than smaller vices. This is due to their design, which allows them to hold longer or wider objects with less risk of breakage. | |||
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For more information on vice dimensions, see | |||
