Best Bench Vise Under $120? Craftsman Professional
You have just arranged the backyard workshop of your dreams. It has quite everything, except for a good bench vise. The only thing is that you spent most of your money and are now looking for a budget option. Perhaps for the best bench vise for under $120. If that’s the case, your best bet might be a Craftsman Professional.
Here's a list of Top 5 Best Bench Vise Under $120
Best Bench Vise Under $120 | Rating | |
|---|---|---|
 | ||
 | ||
 | ||
 | ||
 |
Why a Craftsman Professional Bench Vise?
This is perhaps your first question. Because at the end of the day, there are many other cheap options out there.
Well, we tend to like Craftsman Professional for more than one reason. To begin with, they manufacture their products in the same factories where Stanley Black+Decker manufacture theirs. In fact, this is an umbrella company of Stanley’s. Therefore tool quality is guaranteed.
This means their range of vises deliver all the quality you could expect from a top value pick.
At the same time, this brand is committed to providing consumers with affordable workshop tools. While other vises of comparable quality may easily make you spend hundreds of dollars, these ones typically cost less than a hundred bucks.
Furthermore, Craftsman Professional bench vises are made from high-quality materials. You can expect precision and durability regardless of the type of project you need them for.
Thanks to all these features, Craftsman Professional bench vises are undoubtedly your best option.
Craftsman Professional Bench Vise Range
With a range of tools dedicated to professional craftsmen, the brand impresses with its vises too but not for the number of options.
They produce three, which are very similar between them. What changes is their size, which varies from 4 to 6 inches with a 1-inch increment from one model to another.
What to Use a Craftsman Professional Bench Vise For
Craftsman Professional bench vises come in handy for a variety of woodworking applications. You can usually use them when:
Besides woodworking applications, you can also use the tool for metalworking as well as cutting pipes or electrical conduit.
Best Bench Vise for Under $120
Best Craftsman Professional Vises
1. Craftsman 4" Bench Vise
Highlights
Reversible Jaws
This 4-inch vise is ideal for the handling of smaller workpieces. It’s perfect for crafters, but you can also use it to handle pipes or electrical conduit. A nice thing about it is the reversible jaws which are smooth on one side for no-mar gripping and serrated on the other side for a secure hold. V-grooves, on the other hand, ensure extra gripping strength.
Force
Despite being rather small, this bench vise delivers incredible strength and performance. It can hold securely lighter or heavier pieces alike. We also like the Rapid-Acting vise screw which allows for a quick opening and closing of the jaws.
Overall Assessment
This bench vise is easy to mount to your work surface and comes with a convenient 180° swivel head. Finding the right working position is, therefore easy. Reversible jaws let you hold heavier pieces securely or protect delicate materials from maring. The design also incorporates V-grooves and a rapid-acting vise screw for further control and operation ease.
Craftsman 4in Bench Vise Video Review
Highlights
Grippy Throat
The 5-inch bench vise shares multiple features with its smaller version above, but it also comes with a Grippy throat developed to secure rounded shapes. It accommodates pipes and tubes with a diameter of up to 2-1/2 inches.
Timesaving Plates
Craftsman Professional knows that reversing traditional jaw plates is too time-consuming, that’s why it came up with the timesaving reversible plates which are quicker and easier to switch out. Just like its smaller brother, the 5-inch vise comes with a serrated and a smooth side of the jaws, suiting most projects and workpieces.
Overall Assessment
An excellent bench vise to consider if you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg, the 5-inch from Craftsman Professional impresses with its hard machined anvil top and 180-degree swivel. You can easily achieve the desired level of tightness or strength by simply acting the screw. Furthermore, the machine is easy to bolt down for an even more stable hold.
3. Craftsman 6" Bench Vise
Highlights
Construction
Like the other two vises above, this one is precision machined for incredible strength and performance. The strong body is easy to secure to your workspace thanks to the pre-drilled holes. Its swiveling head and durable materials are other things you will love.
Reliability
Except for the size, this Craftsman Professional vise comes with all you need to work with peace of mind. Its reliable construction and exceptional hold transform every project in a pleasure. Dual-sided jaws also ensure suitability for all projects.
Overall Assessment
Sharing most of its characteristics with the other two vises from the same manufacturer, this one is perhaps the most suitable for woodworkers. It can accommodate larger pieces of material, but you can use it for a host of applications. The Rapid-Acting screw even helps you adjust the strength to meet your purpose or the material you’re working with.
Craftsman 6in Bench Vise Video Review
Best Craftsman Professional Alternatives
4. Yost BV-4 Bench Vise
Highlights
Swiveling Base
A great alternative to our Craftsman Professional, the Yost BV-4 is a 4-inch bench vise that finds its place in all workshops. Its best feature is the swiveling base, although it can’t rotate as much as Craftsman can. You’ll still be able to turn it to 120° though.
Price Point
If you’re on a really tight budget and are looking for the most affordable solution, this vise can satisfy your needs. Way cheaper than $120 and definitely cheaper than the Craftsman, it delivers reliability at a great price.
Overall Assessment
Yost is one of the most popular brands, but it doesn’t raise to Craftsman’s level. It is a good bench vise though, that will likely satisfy all your needs if you don’t want it for heavy-duty work. The 3-inch jaw opening is ideal for small tasks; however, the serrated jaws may not be appropriate to use with delicate pieces.
Yost BV-4 Bench Vise Video Review
Highlights
Robust Construction
Cheap and durable, this 6-inch vise impresses with durable construction. Its hardened steel jaws can handle anything the workshop is throwing at them. The permanent pipe jaws provide sufficient strength for holding heavy objects, while the powder-coated finish ensures overall durability.
Swivel Base
If you need a vise to rotate to over 180 degrees, this might be it. The Olympia Tool bench vise swivels to 270 degrees and is ideal for flexible holding and handling of material. It is ideal to use for wood, metal, as well as other materials.
Overall Assessment
If you need a heavy-duty vise that comes at a decent price, this one is another great alternative to the Craftsman Professional. Sturdy and durable materials, wide swivel angle, and a host of other feature makes it ideal for woodworkers and backyard workshop owners.
Olympia Tools 6in bench Vise Video Review
Conclusion
If you’re in the market for the best bench vise under $120, the Craftsman Professional is undoubtedly your best bet. However, if their vises don’t meet your purposes for one reason or another, you can always opt for an alternative. Regardless of your choice, you now know which are some of your best picks.