We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Machinery

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Vise Jaw?

By J. Airman
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 9,584
Share

A vise jaw is the adjustable teeth portion of a clamp where items are firmly held. The surfaces of a vise jaw are commonly scored or covered with plastic pads to grip objects as well as possible. Most vises are clamped or bolted onto a work bench to keep the jaws stable while in use. Vise jaws close and open when an internal treaded cylinder spins as the crank is turned clockwise and counterclockwise. Squeezing an item between the vise jaws may deform it if the crank is not turned carefully.

Some vise jaws are completely replaceable. Over time the thick metal plates from both sides of a vise jaw can get bent and worn to the point where they no longer meet up evenly when the closed vise is empty. Forward thinking designers have made it possible to simply unbolt and remove the plates themselves. Replacement vise jaw plates can usually be ordered directly from the original manufacturer or custom made from aluminum block. The cost of replacing the plates is generally much lower than the price for an all-new vise.

Vise jaw pads come in a wide variety of sizes and styles to fit almost any vise. The pads protect the vice jaw's metal surface and increase traction. Soft rubber pads flex to hold objects in the vise jaw without scratching or denting them. Harder plastic and vinyl vise jaw pads are often more durable than soft varieties and usually have a highly texturized surfaces. Pads are generally custom fitted to the jaws of the vise they are intended for so they can quickly slide in and out of position for intermittent use.

Lubrication is essential to the operation of vise jaws. The moving parts of a vise often operate within very limited tolerances. Small particles of sand and grit may make it difficult to turn a vise crank and close the jaws. Once the vise jaws are opened completely, a thin layer of grease can be applied to the threaded cylinder. Cranking the jaws open and closed a few times distributes the grease throughout the mechanism.

Angled and specialized vise jaws are used in industrial assembly-line vises. A slanted vice jaw holds a series of objects uniformly at a desired angle for precision manufacturing. Pressure-sensitive vise jaws relay force readings to a display. The sliding vise jaw is an adjustable style commonly marked with measuring increments.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-a-vise-jaw.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.