The 10 Best Pipe Vises

Editor's Notes

June 12, 2020:

A vise works as a second pair of hands and is used to clamp objects securely while work is being carried out. A pipe vise has specially shaped jaws that are designed to grip tubular materials such as copper, iron, or steel pipes. They are especially useful when cutting, bending, threading or welding.

There are several different types available. The most common is a bench mounted engineers vice with a V-shaped aperture, such as the Yost Tools 750-DI Extreme-Duty or the Caidu Combination Home Vise. Their versatile design makes them useful for a variety of awkwardly shaped items, while the rotating headstock allows the work piece to be positioned at any angle. These types of vices are better suited to smaller diameter and shorter length pipes. The Mission Automotive Soft Pads are designed to convert the jaws of a regular vice, making them capable of holding small diameter tubing in place without damaging it.

Chain vises, such as the Ridgid Straight Welding Vise, the Yost Tools BC-6, and the Reed Tool CV2 are a much better choice for larger diameter materials, and use a length of chain and a crank to clamp objects securely. They are heavy-duty pieces of equipment and work well on Iron or steel, however, softer metals may be compressed or scratched. The Ridgid Portable Tristand is ideal for moving around the job site and features tool hangers, a workbench, and integrated pipe benders. Yoke vises such as the Ridgid Bench Yoke and the HFS Forged have a hinged opening and use a threaded shaft to compress the pipe between two sets of V-shaped jaws. Their fold-over mechanism makes for easy insertion and removal of long lengths of tube.