Etymology
– The word ‘vise’ can be traced back to Middle English ‘vys,’ Anglo-French ‘vyz,’ and Latin ‘vitis’ (vine).
– The term ‘vise’ originated from the tight grip of the mechanical device, which was likened to the twines of a plant.
Types of Woodworking Vises
– Face vises are the standard woodworking vises securely attached to a workbench.
– Face vises have jaws made of wood or metal, usually faced with wood to protect the work.
– Quick-release woodworkers vises have a split nut mechanism for faster adjustment.
– Traditional woodworking workbench vises are either face vises or end (or tail) vises.
Engineers Vises
– Engineers vises are used to hold metal during filing or cutting.
– They are usually made of cast iron, with separate and replaceable jaws.
– Engineers vises often have serrated or diamond teeth on the jaws.
– Soft jaw covers made of aluminum, copper, wood, or plastic can be used to protect delicate work.
– Engineers vises are bolted onto the top surface of a workbench and may have a swivel base.
Machine Vises
– Machine vises are mounted on drill presses, grinding machines, and milling machines.
– They are used for holding workpieces during machining operations.
– Machine vises can be rotated for better positioning.
– Some machine vises have soft jaws made of aluminum to hold multiple parts.
– Abrasive chop saws have machine-type vises built into them.
Other Types of Vises
– Hand vices, compound slide vises, and cross vises are other types of vises.
– Off-center vises, angle vises, and sine vises serve specific purposes.
– There are specialized vises such as rotary vises, diemakers vises, and saw vises.
– Pin vises are used for holding thin, cylindrical objects or as a drill.
– Leg vises or post vises are attached to a bench and supported from the ground for heavy use.Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vise
