Face Vise
A front-mounted vise for general bench work.
A face vise holds boards and parts against the front of the bench. It is used for dovetailing, edge planing, sawing, and many everyday tasks.
Hand and non-power tools
Woodworking Vises
Woodworking vises hold work at the bench for planing, sawing, chiseling, carving, routing, and assembly.
What to Know About Woodworking Vises
A woodworking vise is a fixed bench-mounted workholding device with jaws, screws, guide rods, or moving chop geometry. Different vise styles hold faces, edges, ends, panels, boards, and small joinery parts.
Working principle
A screw or cam draws the moving jaw against the work while the bench provides mass and reference. Jaw material, travel, alignment, and dog-hole compatibility determine how the vise supports the operation.
Major Types
Choose the vise by work orientation: face, edge, end, vertical, elevated, or irregular.
Tail Vise
An end vise that works with bench dogs.
A tail vise traps boards between dogs for face planing. It supports long boards flat on the benchtop instead of hanging them from the front jaw.
Leg Vise
A deep wooden-jaw vise with strong holding power.
A leg vise uses the bench leg as part of the clamping system. It has a large jaw, excellent vertical support, and a lower parallel guide or modern screw mechanism.
Shoulder Vise
A vise with open access near the jaw corner.
A shoulder vise holds work without guide rods blocking the saw or chisel near the edge. It is useful for dovetailing and joinery at the end of a board.
Moxon Vise
A portable raised vise for joinery.
A Moxon vise lifts work higher than the benchtop and clamps it between twin screws. It is popular for dovetails, tenons, and detailed joinery layout.
Patternmaker's Vise
An adjustable vise for carving and irregular work.
A patternmaker's vise tilts, rotates, and grips irregular shapes. It is useful for sculptural work, chair parts, and complex shaping.
Carving Vise
A holding device that lets carved work rotate.
A carving vise secures a blank while letting the carver change access and angle. It reduces the need to reclamp as the form develops.
Common Woodworking Uses
- Holding boards for dovetailing, sawing, and chiseling.
- Face planing with bench dogs.
- Edge planing long boards.
- Carving and shaping irregular parts.
- Raising small joinery work to a comfortable height.
Choosing Woodworking Vises
- Choose a face or leg vise for broad general bench work.
- Add dog-compatible end holding if you plane boards by hand often.
- Use a Moxon vise when joinery comfort and visibility are priorities.
- Match screw speed, jaw capacity, and mounting requirements to the bench.
Setup
- Mount the vise flush and square to the bench reference surfaces.
- Line jaws with wood, leather, or cork when needed.
- Test for racking with narrow work and add a spacer on the opposite side if required.
Accessories and Consumables
- Bench dogs
- Jaw liners
- Vise spacer blocks
- Holdfasts
- Moxon riser blocks
- Leather or cork jaw lining
- Paste wax
- Replacement wooden jaw faces
Maintenance
- Keep screws clean and lightly lubricated.
- Tighten mounting hardware after seasonal movement.
- Flatten or replace worn wooden jaw liners.
- Clear chips from guide rods and dog holes.
Safety
- Support long boards so the vise is not carrying all the weight.
- Keep fingers clear while closing the jaw.
- Do not use the vise as an anvil unless it is built for that abuse.
- Make sure portable vises are clamped firmly before sawing or chopping.
Manufacturers and Companies
Listed as relevant examples, not endorsements.
Veritas / Lee ValleyHand tools, sharpening systems, workholding, and layout tools.Lie-Nielsen ToolworksHand saws, planes, chisels, and sharpening accessories.BESSEYParallel clamps, bar clamps, vises, and workholding.WoodpeckersPrecision layout tools, squares, and router accessories.RocklerShop jigs, workholding, finishing tools, and hardware.