Last reviewed: May 2026 · MLC editorial team · UK trade workshop perspective
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A 6-inch cast-iron vice from a generic brand will crack the first time you put a long bar through the handle for. A Record No.5 has been the British engineering workshop standard since 1932 for a reason: it’s built to last with robust materials and precise machining that withstands daily abuse in demanding environments. When shopping for an engineer's bench vice, consider three main categories: cast-iron vices like the A Record No.5, which start at around £100; machinist vices such as Starrett models, priced from about £200; and heavy-duty industrial vices that can cost upwards of £500 for those requiring maximum clamping force and durability. Each type serves specific needs in the workshop, but quality remains paramount to avoid frequent replacements and downtime.
How we picked these
- Body material: forged steel (best) or grey cast iron (acceptable for static work). Avoid 'ductile iron' unless specified by a known brand.
- Jaw width: 5" minimum for engineering work. 4" is sheet-metal only.
- Throat depth: 70mm minimum for holding tube and section steel.
- Anvil: every engineer's vice should have a flat anvil surface behind the fixed jaw - for light hammer work.
- Swivel base: optional. Adds 25-40mm height. Most trade workshops bolt the vice direct.
Reviewed picks
Record No.5 (5" jaw)
Price: £280-£380 | Best for: daily trade workshop - the British engineering standard
The Record No.5 bench vice features a 125mm jaw and a robust drop-forged steel body, making it a staple in British engineering workshops. Weighing in at 22kg, this Sheffield-made vice offers a lifetime mechanical warranty and maintains high resale value. Priced between £280 and £380, it's an investment piece that stands out for its durability but comes with the drawback of being heavier than many imports.
| Jaw | 125mm (5") |
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| Throat | 75mm |
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| Body | Drop-forged steel |
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| Anvil | Flat |
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| Weight | 22kg |
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Pros
- Drop-forged body (Sheffield)
- Lifetime mechanical warranty
- Lifetime resale value
Cons
- Costs more than imports
- Heavy at 22kg
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Check Record No.5 (5" jaw) on Amazon UK →
Yost YOST-865 (6.5" jaw, US-made)
Price: £280-£380 | Best for: US-spec workshops or wider-jaw work
The Yost YOST-865 is a robust bench vice with a 165mm jaw and swivel base, ideal for handling large components in US-spec workshops. At £280 to £380, it offers a generous 6.5-inch jaw capacity but comes at the cost of its weighty cast iron construction, tipping the scales at 20kg.
| Jaw | 165mm (6.5") |
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| Throat | 100mm |
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| Body | Cast iron |
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| Swivel | Yes 360° |
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| Weight | 20kg |
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Pros
- 6.5" jaw for big work
- Swivel base included
- US-made
Cons
- Cast iron not forged
- Heavier shipping from US import
Wilton Bullet 1755 (5.5" jaw)
Price: £600-£800 | Best for: premium daily trade - the Wilton heritage workshop choice
The Wilton Bullet 1755, a premium bench vice for serious UK tradespeople, boasts a hefty cast steel body and a hardened steel anvil, delivering a robust 30,000lb clamping force with its 140mm jaw. At £600 to £800, it's pricey but comes with a lifetime warranty. Imported from the US, it’s a classic choice for those who demand quality and durability daily.
| Jaw | 140mm (5.5") |
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| Throat | 75mm |
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| Body | Cast steel |
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| Anvil | Hardened steel |
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| Weight | 27kg |
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Pros
- Cast steel body (not iron)
- 30,000lb clamping force
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- £600+ entry
- Imported from US
Check Wilton Bullet 1755 (5.5" jaw) on Amazon UK →
Record No.6 (6" jaw, heavy duty)
Price: £420-£580 | Best for: heavier engineering - gearbox / engine work
The Record No.6 vice boasts a 150mm jaw and 90mm throat, ideal for hefty engineering tasks such as gearbox or engine work. Crafted from drop-forged Sheffield steel, it weighs in at 32kg, offering superior grip on tube and section steel. However, its hefty weight complicates bench mounting, and the price tag of £420 to £580 is steep.
| Jaw | 150mm (6") |
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| Throat | 90mm |
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| Body | Drop-forged steel |
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| Anvil | Flat |
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| Weight | 32kg |
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Pros
- Bigger jaw + deeper throat than No.5
- Same drop-forged Sheffield build
- Better for tube/section steel
Cons
- 32kg makes bench mounting a job
- Pricey
Check Record No.6 (6" jaw, heavy duty) on Amazon UK →
Sealey USV5 5" Heavy Duty
Price: £70-£110 | Best for: budget secondary vice or occasional workshop
The Sealey USV5 5" Heavy Duty vice is a solid choice for those on a budget, offering a cast iron body and swivel base within the £70-£110 range. Its 125mm jaw capacity suits general workshop needs, but it's not ideal for heavy-duty tasks due to its tendency to snap under prolonged pressure. Weighing in at just 14kg, it flexes easily under load, limiting its utility for demanding work.
| Jaw | 125mm |
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| Throat | 75mm |
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| Body | Cast iron |
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| Swivel | Yes |
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| Weight | 14kg |
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Pros
- £70 entry to 5" vice
- Swivel base
- Cast iron acceptable for static work
Cons
- Cast iron snaps under long-bar leverage
- Light at 14kg - flexes under load
- Slide doesn't last like Record
Check Sealey USV5 5" Heavy Duty on Amazon UK →
Eclipse EMV/0 Mechanic's (4" jaw)
Price: £180-£260 | Best for: smaller trade benches / mobile workshops
The Eclipse EMV/0 Mechanic's vice offers a 100mm jaw with a 65mm throat and is made from drop-forged steel for durability. Weighing in at 15kg, it’s lighter than the No.5 model but shares the robust Sheffield build of Record vices. Ideal for smaller benches or mobile setups, its price range sits between £180 to £260. However, at just 4 inches wide, it might feel cramped for engineering tasks requiring larger jaws and deeper throats.
| Jaw | 100mm |
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| Throat | 65mm |
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| Body | Drop-forged steel |
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| Anvil | Flat |
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| Weight | 15kg |
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Pros
- Drop-forged steel at 4" size
- Same Sheffield build as Record
- Lighter than No.5
Cons
- 4" jaw is small for engineering
- Less throat depth
Check Eclipse EMV/0 Mechanic's (4" jaw) on Amazon UK →
Recommendations at a glance
| Best overall (UK trade) | Record No.5 - the workshop standard, drop-forged, lifetime warranty |
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| Best premium | Wilton Bullet 1755 - 30,000lb clamping, cast steel body |
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| Best for heavy work | Record No.6 - 6" jaw, 90mm throat, 32kg of heft |
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| Best budget that's still trade-grade | Eclipse EMV/0 - Sheffield drop-forged at 4" size |
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| Best wide-jaw alternative | Yost YOST-865 - 6.5" jaw with swivel base |
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Related reference on MLC
Frequently asked questions
Cast iron or forged steel for a vice body?
Forged steel handles long-bar leverage and impact loads without cracking. Cast iron is fine for static clamping but cracks under sudden impact (sledge work, long bar leverage). Drop-forged is the trade standard.
What size vice do I need?
5" jaw covers 80% of engineering work. 6" if you do tube, large section, or engine work. 4" is enough for fitting and mechanic-grade work only. Imperial sizes are still standard - 5" = 125mm jaw width.
Should the vice have a swivel base?
Optional. Swivel base adds 25-40mm height (sometimes inconvenient for tall users) and reduces rigidity by ~10%. Most permanent workshop vices are bolted direct; mobile workshops keep the swivel.
How do I mount a vice to the bench?
Through-bolts (M12 minimum) through the bench top into a backing plate underneath. Lag screws into the top alone strip out after a year of trade use. The bench needs to weigh more than the vice.
Record vs Eclipse vs Wilton - are they really different?
Record and Eclipse are both Sheffield drop-forged with shared heritage (originally Footprint Tools era). Wilton is US cast steel, heavier construction, longer warranty. All three are trade-grade; Sealey is not.
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