The 10 Best Pipe Vises
This wiki has been updated 20 times since it was first published in May of 2020. A pipe vise is an essential piece of mechanical equipment for plumbers and pipe fitters, and is used to hold any kind of tubular material steady while cutting, threading or welding. There are various types to choose from, depending on the diameter of the material, the function it needs to perform, and the frequency of use. Some are portable, while others are designed to be mounted on a workbench. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Ridgid Portable Tristand
2. Yost Tools 750-DI Extreme-Duty
3. Reed Tool CV2
Editor's Notes
June 12, 2020:
A vise works as a second pair of hands and is used to clamp objects securely while work is being carried out. A pipe vise has specially shaped jaws that are designed to grip tubular materials such as copper, iron, or steel pipes. They are especially useful when cutting, bending, threading or welding.
There are several different types available. The most common is a bench mounted engineers vice with a V-shaped aperture, such as the Yost Tools 750-DI Extreme-Duty or the Caidu Combination Home Vise. Their versatile design makes them useful for a variety of awkwardly shaped items, while the rotating headstock allows the work piece to be positioned at any angle. These types of vices are better suited to smaller diameter and shorter length pipes. The Mission Automotive Soft Pads are designed to convert the jaws of a regular vice, making them capable of holding small diameter tubing in place without damaging it.
Chain vises, such as the Ridgid Straight Welding Vise, the Yost Tools BC-6, and the Reed Tool CV2 are a much better choice for larger diameter materials, and use a length of chain and a crank to clamp objects securely. They are heavy-duty pieces of equipment and work well on Iron or steel, however, softer metals may be compressed or scratched. The Ridgid Portable Tristand is ideal for moving around the job site and features tool hangers, a workbench, and integrated pipe benders. Yoke vises such as the Ridgid Bench Yoke and the HFS Forged have a hinged opening and use a threaded shaft to compress the pipe between two sets of V-shaped jaws. Their fold-over mechanism makes for easy insertion and removal of long lengths of tube.
4. Ridgid Bench Yoke
5. Yost Tools BC-6
6. Ridgid Straight Welding Vise
7. HFS Forged
8. Mission Automotive Soft Pads
9. Caidu Combination Home Vise
10. Tri Vise Plate
Starting his career in the building industry, Chris built and managed a plumbing and heating company in northern England. After 13 years, seeking a more fulfilling lifestyle, he moved to southeast Asia, eventually settling in Vietnam, where he teaches writing and comprehension at a number of international universities. Drawing on his previous experience, and his passion for kitesurfing and windsurfing, Chris is knowledgeable in all things water related both recreationally and within the construction industry.