The 9 Best Cross Slide Vises
Special Honors
MSC Industrial Direct Cross slide vises are a small part of this company's business, but they still offer quite a wide selection. With some jaw openings smaller than three inches, and others as big as eight inches, there's a good chance you'll find a size suitable for your applications. mscdirect.com
Editor's Notes
March 08, 2021:
It was a busy round of updates that – in spite of seeing the HFS Heavy Duty, Yost HD CSV-4 and Capri Tools 10520 removed due to availability issues – saw these rankings grow from a seven- to a nine-item collection. Our list remains anchored by its big-name choices – the Palmgren 30301, Wilton 11694 and Palmgren CV80 – but we found several serviceable alternatives to join them, including many that are more affordable.
As far as placement, we gave preference to larger models that allow users the flexibility of working with bigger material – the Mophorn Heavy Duty and Wen 41-CV have eight- and 8/3/8-inch versions available, respectively – but we also included some smaller choices a little lower on our list, as we realized that, for those who know their capacities will be sufficient for their applications, the lower prices and weights associated with these small offerings are likely to be quite appealing. If you never need to deal with material larger than three-inch stock, then the Texalan TQS is an option that rates reasonably well and comes for an exceptionally low cost.
Another reason to think about smaller hardware in this context is to make sure that you select a unit that’s small enough to be compatible with whichever tool you’re pairing it with — in this case, likely a drill press.
To assist you with alternate clamping needs, we also maintain lists of bench vises and pipe vises.
April 29, 2019:
When you’re stopping frequently to move your wooden or metal workpiece as you cut it in different places, a cross slide vise can shave hours off your project. Products from two separate century-old toolmakers are featured on our list: The two reliable Palmgren models offer conveniences like dust-collecting ports and ergonomically placed handles for easier operation. The Yost HD CSV-4 is dependable, simple to use, and is thoughtfully designed with adjustability and dovetailed construction.
If you’re in the mood for a more budget-friendly choice, look to the Capri Tools and HFS selections listed here. Note that these both will likely require some prep work out of the box, including cleaning, lubing, and adjusting.
Whichever you decide is right for you, always wear safety glasses and hearing protection when operating machines such as drills and routers.