Vices

For workshops, fabrication facilities and trade environments across Australia, a reliable vice is one of the most essential workholding tools on any bench. Also spelled vise, the terms refer to the same clamping tool used to secure workpieces firmly during cutting, drilling, filing, welding and assembly, whether the material is timber, metal or plastic. RS Australia stocks a broad selection of bench vises, industrial vices and specialist variants to suit light through to heavy-duty applications. Browse our range and find the right vice tool for your application.

Shop Our Range of Vices in Australia

Our vice range covers bench use, precision machining and trade-specific workholding, with options to suit light through to heavy-duty applications across commercial and industrial settings.

Workshop Bench Vice

A workshop bench vice is the primary workholding tool for general fabrication, repair and maintenance tasks. Fixed-base and swivel-base options are available, with swivel bases allowing the workpiece to be repositioned without remounting. A well-configured workbench and vice pairing is the foundation of most professional workshop setups, so key specifications to consider include jaw width, jaw opening and mounting configuration. For demanding applications, a heavy-duty bench vice provides the jaw strength and body mass needed to hold large or awkward workpieces securely under sustained load.

Drill Vice

A drill vice is designed to hold workpieces securely on a drill press table or machine surface during drilling, milling and precision machining tasks. The low-profile clamping body keeps the workpiece stable and aligned with the spindle, reducing movement that causes inaccurate holes or tool breakage.

Woodworking & Carpenter Bench Vices

A woodworking vise is purpose-built for timber work, joinery, shaping and bench-based assembly. Wider jaw faces distribute clamping pressure evenly across the workpiece, reducing the risk of bruising or marking the timber surface. A carpenter bench vise integrates directly into the workbench, with the jaw sitting flush with the bench top to keep the working surface clear.

How to Choose the Right Vice Tool for Your Needs

The right vice depends on what you are clamping, how often you are using it, and where it is mounted. Work through these criteria before selecting:

• Application Type: Identify whether the primary use is general workshop work, drilling, machining, or electronics assembly, as each suits a different vice configuration.
• Vice Type: Match the vice to the task, whether that is a bench vice, drill vice, woodworking vise, or a smaller hand or pin vice for detail and close-tolerance work.
• Jaw Dimensions: Check jaw width, jaw opening and jaw depth against the typical size of the workpieces you will be clamping.
• Mount Type: Confirm whether the vice is intended for a fixed workbench, drill press table or a portable setup, and that the base mounting pattern suits your bench or table.
• Swivel Base and Quick Release: Consider these features if the work involves frequent repositioning or high throughput in a busy workshop.
• Work Material: Timber, metal, plastic and PCB each place different demands on jaw face material and clamping force.
• Duty Level: Match the vice to the workload, from light bench use through to heavy-duty fabrication and machining.

Common Industry Applications of Vice Tools

Vices are a core workholding tool across a wide range of trades and industries, including:

• General Workshop Maintenance And Repair: A bench vice provides the secure clamping needed for everyday maintenance tasks, from cutting and filing to reassembling components.
• Metal Fabrication, Forming And Structural Assembly: Industrial vices hold metal workpieces firmly during forming, welding and structural fabrication where movement cannot be tolerated.
• Drilling, Milling And Precision Machining: A drill vice secures workpieces on machine tables and drill press beds, ensuring accurate, repeatable results on every pass.
• Carpentry, Cabinet Making And Woodworking: A woodworking vise integrates with the workbench to hold timber securely during shaping, joinery and assembly work.
• Automotive And Mechanical Servicing: Workshop bench vices are standard equipment in automotive workshops for holding components during disassembly, repair and reassembly.
• Plumbing, Electrical And Building Trades: Trade-specific workholding keeps pipe, conduit and fittings stable during cutting and threading on site or in the workshop.
• Electronics Assembly And Technical Laboratory Work: Smaller vices and PCB holders provide the fine clamping control needed for close-tolerance assembly and inspection tasks.

Your Trusted Vices Supplier & Manufacturer in Australia

RS Australia is a trusted manufacturer, supplier and distributor of vices for workshops, maintenance teams, fabrication facilities and trade businesses across the country. We stock vices from RS PRO, SAM and Irwin, selected for durability, consistent performance and compliance with relevant quality standards.

We also carry complementary products including clamps and workbenches, supporting a complete workshop setup from a single supplier. Our team provides technical support to help you select the right product for your application. For full details on delivery services and charges, visit our Delivery Page.