How to Mount a Bench Vise on a Workbench
Place the vise at a corner of a sturdy bench so the jaws overhang the edge. Hold it in position, mark the mounting holes, drill through the bench, and fasten it with bolts, washers, and locking nuts. Woodworking vises that mount under the bench top follow the same idea, but they need a spacer block, and you should check the bench thickness limit first.
Jorgensen 41012Best overall
Wilton WVA6Metal and pipe work
VEVOR KS08Heaviest on the pageStart With the Right Spot and Bench
Where you put the vise matters as much as how you bolt it down. Pick a corner or an edge near a leg, because the force of clamping and sawing travels into the bench. A vise mounted in the middle of a long, unsupported span can make the whole top bounce.
Most people place a vise at the front left corner if they are right-handed, and the front right corner if they are left-handed. Leave the jaws hanging past the bench edge so long boards and pipe can drop down alongside. Also leave enough room around the handle to swing it fully.
The bench itself needs to be heavy and solid. If yours feels light or racks side to side, fix that first. Our best workbench page can help if you are still choosing a bench to build your setup around.
Check How Your Vise Mounts
Vises attach in different ways, and the method decides your steps. Look at the mounting style in your manual or on the spec sheet before you drill anything.
Bolt-on models, like the Wilton WVA6, attach through four 0.51 in holes in the base. Benchtop woodworking vises, like the Jorgensen 41012, are designed for benches up to 3 in thick. Under-bench models, like the IRWIN 226361, have a square body that seats against the underside of the top. The Yost LV-4 is a bench-mount vise, and its hardware is not included, so you buy bolts separately.
| Mounting style | How it attaches | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Bolt-on | Bolts pass through holes in a base plate or swivel base | Needs a drilled bench; spacer or backing plate helps on thin tops |
| Benchtop | Mounts on top, with the body fastened to the bench edge | Check the maximum bench thickness the vise allows |
| Under-bench | Square body seats under the top | Often paired with wood cheeks to protect work |
| Clamp-on | Screw clamp grips the bench edge | Not for heavy hammering or hard sawing; the WVA6 is not a clamp-on |
What You Need
Gather everything before you begin so the vise is never left half attached. A drill and the right bit make a clean, square hole, and a helper makes lifting easier. A bench vise can be heavy: the VEVOR KS08 is listed at 40.79 lb, and the Jorgensen 41012 at 39 lb.
- Mounting bolts sized to the vise holes, with flat washers and locking nuts (or lock washers)
- A drill and bit slightly larger than the bolt diameter
- Pencil, tape measure, and a square
- Wrench or socket set
- Spacer block or backing plate, if the bench top is thin or uneven
- Clamps to hold the vise while you mark
- Safety glasses and gloves
Step-by-Step: Bolt-On Vise (Including 3 and 4 Hole Bases)
This method fits most metalworking and general shop vises. Some bases have three holes and others have four, such as the four 0.51 in holes on the Wilton WVA6. Use every hole provided. Skipping one weakens the grip on the bench.
- Remove the swivel base if it separates from the vise body. This makes the parts lighter and easier to position.
- Set the base on the bench at your chosen corner, with the jaws extending past the edge. Check that the handle clears the bench and your leg.
- Mark each hole with a pencil, or use a center punch for a firm start.
- Move the vise aside. Drill each hole straight down through the bench top, using a square to check the angle. Drill slowly to avoid splintering the underside.
- Put the vise back, drop a bolt through each hole, and add a washer and locking nut from below. For softer wood, use a backing plate under the nuts to spread the load.
- Tighten the nuts in a cross pattern, a little at a time, like a car wheel. Then check that the base does not move when you push on it.
- Reattach the vise body and swivel lock, if it came apart. Test the lockdown handles before you clamp anything.
Mounting a Woodworking Vise
Woodworking vises sit a little differently, because the goal is to clamp boards flat against the bench. For a benchtop model like the Jorgensen 41012, keep the bench thickness within its 3 in limit. If the bench is thinner, add a spacer block under the vise body, so the screws and guide rails sit correctly.
Set the vise so that the jaw tops sit slightly below the bench surface once you add wood facings. This keeps a plane or router from touching the iron. The 41012 has countersunk holes in the jaws for facings, and the IRWIN 226361 has a provision for wooden cheeks. Our best bench vise page covers which models are ready for wood facings.
For an under-bench model, seat the square body against the underside of the top. Drill the holes, bolt it up, and check that the front jaw lines up with the bench edge. A small gap lets the jaw move, but a big gap lets the work tilt.
Whatever the style, check the instructions that came with your vise. VEVOR, for example, includes an installation guide, screws, and nuts with its KS08.
Final Checks and Safety
Close the jaws on a piece of scrap and try to wiggle the vise. Any movement means a loose nut or a soft bench. Retighten, and check again after your first few hours of use.
Wear safety glasses whenever you drill, saw, or grind in the vise, because chips and sparks fly. Wear hearing protection around grinders and power saws. If you use a drill on metal, keep gloves away from the spinning bit.
Keep your fingers out of the pinch points between the jaws. Do not slip a pipe over the handle for extra leverage, and never hammer on the handle. The Wilton WVA6 notes that its handle is designed to bend before the vise is damaged, and it is not meant to be used as a press.
Lift with a helper or with proper technique. A vise at nearly 40 lb can crush a hand or foot if it slips.
Frequently asked questions
Can I mount a vise without drilling the bench?
A clamp-on vise can grip the bench edge without holes, but it suits lighter work. For hard sawing or filing, a bolted vise is steadier. Some people also bolt a vise to a plywood plate and clamp that plate to the bench.
Should the vise go at the corner or the middle?
A corner or an area near a leg is usually best. It lets long pieces hang off the edge and puts clamping forces where the bench is strongest.
What size bolts should I use?
Use bolts that fit the holes in your vise base with only a little play. For the Wilton WVA6, the holes are 0.51 in. Check your own manual for the matching bolt diameter.
Do I need washers under the nuts?
Yes. Flat washers spread the load on the wood, and locking nuts or lock washers keep the bolts from working loose.