Use the Best Plastic Vise Jaws When Working

A good vise bench is great for many different reasons. Firstly it’s very versatile and can be used for many different projects. It is also a tool that can be used by your whole family.

In fact, you can use it for all sorts of things like woodworking and even making delicate pieces of jewelry. The plastic vise jaws work best because they often have a soft padding, which allows them to clamp down gently on objects without damaging the surface. If you have questions about vise jaws, this buying guide will help!

Factors to Consider when Buying Plastic Vise Jaws

Here are just some factors to keep in mind when you’re shopping for vise jaws.

Magnets

Although there are some vise jaws that you can attach using screws, it’s much easier to use vise jaws that have magnets embedded into them. This allows you to attach the vise jaws to your bench without any extra hassle. It’s important to make sure that the vise jaws you are buying have strong magnets so that they stay in place.

The reason why strong magnets are important is that you don’t want the jaws moving while you’re working on an important DIY project. Most vise jaws will have heavy-duty magnets inside them, making them easy to use and remove once you are done.

Grooved surface

Most vise jaws will come with two surfaces, a smooth one and a grooved one. The standard smooth one can be used for normal objects. However, objects with irregular shapes might be harder to clamp down using a standard vise jaw.

This is why a grooved surface can work wonders, especially if your object is round in shape. The grooved surface clamps onto such shapes with ease, keeping them in place for you to work on.

Durability 

Just like with any other work tool, you need to make sure that the vise jaws you are buying are durable. You may think that plastic is not a durable material but it actually works really well and also lasts a long time. The only downside of plastic vise jaws is that they can’t be used for projects that require high heat.

For projects that require heat, you are better off using metal vise jaws. But for most projects, a pair of plastic vise jaws will work well.

Budget

Not everyone can afford high-end tools. It’s better to set a budget before heading to the market for the purchase. Sift the market or online stores for a pair of plastic vise jaws that fit your budget and choose the best one. We recommend being somehow lenient with the set budget if you get great value in return.

How to Take Care of and Maintain Your Plastic Vise Jaws?

Your vise jaws require good care in order for them to stay working for a long time. A bench vise can be quite pricey, which is why you want to take the best care possible. Here’s how you can easily maintain your bench vise.

Keep them clean

Dust and debris may form on your vise jaws if you don’t keep them clean. You don’t need to pull out the power washer since cleaning it is easy. You need to give it a good wipe down with a damp cloth.

After you are done cleaning the vise jaws, it is important to keep them oiled as well. The parts that need to be oiled are the joints and sliding sections. Doing this keeps the jaws moving smoothly without jamming.

Piling frequently can also help prevent rust from forming on your bench vise. Make sure to open up the jaws before your oil to easily reach each part.

Keep them dry

Since vise benches are made of metal, they can rust easily when exposed to wetness. This can hinder the way they work and can be an annoying situation to deal with. After you are done cleaning your bench vise, make sure you dry it well so that rust doesn’t form on the body or jaws.

Another way to make sure your bench vise doesn’t get rusty is to get a cover for it for when the weather is wet or humid. A plastic cover works well, especially during rainy weather. If your bench vise does get rusty, you don’t need to worry since many chemical rust removers work well.

But as long as you keep it dry, you don’t have to worry about it getting rusty.

Keep replacing

It’s a good idea to replace your vise tools such as clamps after a while. This is because constantly using them can often wear them down. A good hack is to buy vise jaws that come in packs of two, so you don’t have to worry about replacing them as much.

What Safety Precautions Should You Take while Using Plastic Vise Jaws?

Safety is important even when you’re using a bench vise. To start off, make sure that you wear safety glasses if any debris flies off while working with a vise. If you’re using a saw on wood, safety glasses can protect you from getting sawdust in your eyes.

Also, make sure to keep your bench vise oiled so that it can safely clamp down on objects. Also, keep an eye out for any cracks in your vise since those can be dangerous too.