IRWIN Tools Woodworker's Vise, 6 1/2", 226361

Just installed the vice today. The vice is well made and a great buy for the money! Perfect for my needs. I found this from an earlier post. These are the perfect size screws to use: Two #10 2 1/2" screws for securing the vice horizontally and two #12 3" screws for securing it vertically. They work perfectly for the size of the holes. I pre-drilled holes with a 3/16" bit into my workbench to secure the screws. I also used four #10 3/4" screws for securing the wood into the vice which worked out perfectly.

As a beginner woodworker with very little space, this was the perfect size for my needs. I wanted a vise for clamping pieces for sanding and simple cuts with a handsaw. I needed a lightweight clamp for my foldable workbench and most vise clamps were much too heavy. I attached with hex lag bolts + washers to the workbench and self tapered construction screws for the inner wood faces to the plates. For anyone not so strong like myself, it helps to remove the half plate/rods so that it isn't as heavy while you mark the pre-drill areas on your workbench. It also allows you to use a drill without the plate in your way. Just be careful not to drop it on your foot.

I mounted this vice to a portable workbench. It's perfect for that. It's not heavy-duty, but I don't need a heavy duty vice on this workbench. The vice closes up evenly and holds a workpiece securely. It was easy to install. It works as expected for the price range that it is in. The lead screw feels a little sloppy but it works well. The guide bars are smooth but appear to be just cold rolled steel, as opposed to chromed or hardened guide bars. So you have to be careful not to mar them or put dings in them. You definitely need to add some wood to the inside faces of both jaws because they are fairly rough. By putting threaded inserts into the workbench, I can remove the vice with four 1/4-20 screws. I plan to add a couple more mounting locations to my workbench so I can move the vice if need be. I will most likely purchase an additional vice also.

First off, a word of warning. Do not open the clamp up all the way to the very end without holding both ends or you risk losing your toes. While testing to see how far this thing opens up, I loosened it fully, and due to the dual beam support, I was unaware that the vise had come apart as it was still slightly supported. When I tilted the vise, the front part fell about 5 inches away from my foot. It not falling on my foot was the difference between a 5-star review and a long visit to the ER. You have been warned. As for the positives, for $20, you get a woodworking vise that can handle a large variety of tasks. When you apply wooden planks to the inside of the vise, you will need to drill out 2 holes into the wood on the side that attaches to the edge of your bench. Make sure to attach your wood first, drill your holes through your wood, then predrill holes in your bench for the vice. Make sure to have your screws recessed into the wood to avoid damaging any wood you clamp. The edge where you need to screw or bolt in the vice from the underside is quite close to edge so you need to make sure to drill carefully into the side of your bench to avoid any issues. I definitely recommend measuring twice and thinking everything through before installing. The worst case would probably be chipping off a small part of the side of your bench and moving the vice to a new location. To avoid this, just be patient. I used two #10 2 1/2" screw for securing the vice horizontally and two #12 3" screws for securing it vertically. They work perfectly for the size of the holes. I pre-drilled holes with a 3/16" bit into my workbench to secure the screws. I really wanted to bolt it into the bench horizontally, but I could not find #10 5" bolt screws to secure the vice into the 4x4. It would probably be overkill anyway. I also used four #10 3/4" screws for securing the wood into the vice which worked out perfectly. The metal beams that secure the angle of the vice rubbed against one of the pieces of wood at first, but opening and closing the vice a few times wore down the part that was touching and it now works smoothly again. I used a couple of pieces of pine for the wooden clamps which work great. Pine is not hard enough to damage any wood that's clamped in the vice, but is strong enough to withstand wear. I finished them with some beeswax and this vice is good to go. The clamp holds very well and allows for some great detail work. I highly recommend this vice for the novice woodworker and the professional who just needs an extra vice for fine work on smaller pieces.

Good quality,easy install

This vise is incredibly inexpensive, and is made of cast iron. It's extremely simple in design, fairly light weight, and I was able to install it myself with a few tools. Other reviewers have said that the two plates don't always meet completely flat against each other, face to face. I have found this to be true in my case, with a slight gap at the bottom of maybe 1/16" (thus the 3 star rating for craftsmanship). Doesn't really bother me at all, it will hold wood just fine. I attached plywood jaws to mine, to protect the clamped wood I use to build picture frames. The vise has countersunk holes for all screws, which is great. In my opinion, you get what you pay for, and anyone who is expecting high precision from a $20-$25 vise is being unrealistic. This is a very good all-purpose vise, at a very reasonable price, and I'm completely happy with it!

Whether you are beginning, or have spent a few years making sawdust, this vise is a great addition to your arsenal. It is compact, yet sturdy. Mind you...it doesn't have the jaw capacity of the hundred dollar vices...but it doesn't cost a hundred dollars either! I have had mine a couple months now and sometimes marvel I didn't get one sooner. Mounting is simple...2 screws/bolts (not provided) drive thru holes in the underside flange. You could use lag screws for non-thru-hole mounting, but I just drove 1/4" carriage bolts thru my bench. The vise is pretty solid, although somewhat light. Don't expect it to support a 16' 2x6. But it will hold reasonable sized pieces firmly, which is all I ask of it. Great buy on a very decent product. If you're on the fence about buying one...I'd recommend pulling the trigger on this one!

At a heavily discounted price of 50% off the original asking price I was over joyed to click the buy button on this. I still think I got a great deal even though I got someone else's return that was taped back up. What I don't like is that the bench vise was bent and that's why someone returned it. For the price I paid, I'm okay with this and I can fix it - but I just get irritated when something is advertised as "New" and it isn't and further more a damaged return at that. The bottom line is - this is a great vise if it isn't bent. I'm not going to send it back, it's attached to my bench and I've fixed it with some wrenching - I just feel that I got done a little dirty.

Qualité Irwin, le top

Easy to install, seems quite sturdy built, feels heavy, which is good for a vice, holds strong. Seems good enough! No long term testing yet, though.

I was going to say this was a great vice for the money, but it is simply a great vice overall. It is really sturdy, was totally easy to install. It is easy to attach wooden inserts to the jaws so you can have a proper woodworking vice. This is simply a great tool.

Llego a tiempo y en excelentes condiciones

Works smoothly. The weight and design keeps it firmly placed on the surface well.