Last reviewed: May 2026 · MLC editorial team · UK trade workshop perspective
Photo by Daniel Smyth on Pexels
A milling vice that isn’t ground square turns every job into a fight with shims. Precision vices from Vertex and Soba hold jaw parallelism within a couple of hundredths over the jaw, so work sits true and you cut to the line. The bargain drill-press clones flex and rack the moving jaw, wasting time and material. In UK workshops, reliable milling machine vises range from £150 for basic models to £600 for high-end options that stand up to daily use without bending or slipping. When choosing a vice, focus on materials like cast iron or steel, which offer durability and stability over plastic or aluminium alternatives.
How we picked these
- Jaw width sets the maximum work and matches the machine: 80-100mm for mini/bench mills, 125mm+ for larger.
- Accuracy: a ground precision vice holds bed-to-jaw and jaw-to-jaw squareness within ~0.02mm — check the maker's spec.
- Jaw lift: a quality vice pulls the moving jaw down as it clamps (no lift), keeping work flat on the bed.
- Type: plain machine vice for milling/drilling, or a tilting/swivel vice for angled work (less rigid).
- Mounting: keyed slots or a base that bolts and indicates true to the table.
Reviewed picks
Clarke CHT152 (75mm)
Price: £40-£70 | Best for: budget drilling/light milling
The Clarke CHT152 (75mm) is a plain machine/drill vice suitable for budget drilling and light milling at £40 to £70. It's machined but not ground, with slots for securing workpieces. Ideal for basic tasks on a drill press, its low cost makes it appealing. However, the moving jaw can lift under heavy load, limiting precision work.
| Jaw width | 75mm |
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| Type | Plain machine/drill vice |
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| Ground | No (machined) |
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| Slots | Yes |
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Pros
- Very low cost
- Fine for drill press and light work
- Machine Mart spares
Cons
- Not a ground precision vice
- Moving jaw can lift under load
Check Clarke CHT152 (75mm) on Amazon UK →
Soba Precision Milling Vice (80mm)
Price: £70-£120 | Best for: value precision for bench mills
The Soba Precision Milling Vice (80mm) is a solid choice for UK workshops seeking value in precision milling at £70-£120. Its ground faces offer excellent parallelism of around 0.02mm, ideal for mini and bench mills without breaking the bank. However, its finish quality falls short compared to premium brands, and the 80mm jaw width restricts handling larger workpieces.
| Jaw width | 80mm |
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| Type | Precision plain |
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| Parallelism | ~0.02mm |
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| Ground | Yes |
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Pros
- Ground faces at a low price
- Good clamp with minimal jaw lift
- Right size for mini/bench mills
Cons
- Finish below premium brands
- 80mm limits larger work
Check Soba Precision Milling Vice (80mm) on Amazon UK →
Vertex VA-4 (100mm)
Price: £120-£180 | Best for: best all-round precision milling vice
The Vertex VA-4 (100mm) is a solid choice for precision milling with its hardened and ground jaws offering accuracy within 0.01 to 0.02mm parallelism. At £120 to £180, it's pricey but delivers reliable performance with a no-lift moving jaw design. However, it can be hefty to manage in tight setups.
| Jaw width | 100mm |
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| Type | Precision plain |
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| Parallelism | ~0.01-0.02mm |
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| Ground | Yes (hardened) |
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Pros
- Hardened, ground, accurate
- No-lift moving jaw design
- Vertex quality and availability
Cons
- Above £120
- Heavier to handle
Check Vertex VA-4 (100mm) on Amazon UK →
Glanze Type 2 Precision Vice (100mm)
Price: £100-£160 | Best for: accurate vice with UK supply (Chronos)
The Glanze Type 2 Precision Vice (100mm) is a reliable option for UK buyers seeking an accurate vice at a reasonable price, ranging from £100 to £160. Ground jaws ensure precision with parallelism of around 0.02mm, making it a solid choice for detailed work. However, quality can vary between batches, and its plain design means no swivel function.
| Jaw width | 100mm |
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| Type | Precision plain |
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| Parallelism | ~0.02mm |
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| Ground | Yes |
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Pros
- Ground and accurate
- Widely stocked in the UK
- Good value at 100mm
Cons
- Quality varies batch to batch
- Plain (no swivel)
Check Glanze Type 2 Precision Vice (100mm) on Amazon UK →
Vertex Swivel Base Milling Vice (100mm)
Price: £160-£230 | Best for: angled and rotary work
The Vertex Swivel Base Milling Vice (100mm) is a precision tool for angled and rotary work in UK workshops, priced between £160 and £230. Its graduated swivel base allows for accurate angle setting, but the design sacrifices some rigidity compared to plain bases.
| Jaw width | 100mm |
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| Type | Swivel base |
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| Parallelism | ~0.02mm |
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| Ground | Yes |
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Pros
- Graduated swivel base for angles
- Vertex precision
- Versatile for varied setups
Cons
- Swivel base reduces rigidity vs plain
- Tallest stack height
Check Vertex Swivel Base Milling Vice (100mm) on Amazon UK →
Recommendations at a glance
| Best overall | Vertex VA-4 — hardened, ground, no-lift, 100mm |
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| Best value precision | Soba 80mm — ground faces at a budget price |
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| Best UK-stocked alternative | Glanze Type 2 — accurate 100mm, easy to source |
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| Best for angled work | Vertex swivel base — graduated angles |
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| Best budget/drilling | Clarke CHT152 — cheap and fine for light work |
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Related reference on MLC
Frequently asked questions
What size milling vice for a bench mill?
Match the jaw width to the machine and table. An 80-100mm vice suits mini and bench mills (Sieg SX2.7, Warco WM16); 125mm+ is for larger machines. Too big a vice eats X-travel and table space, too small limits the work you can hold.
What is jaw lift and why does it matter?
Jaw lift is the moving jaw rising slightly as it clamps, which tips the work off the bed and ruins accuracy. A good precision vice (Vertex VA-4) is designed to pull the moving jaw down as it tightens, keeping work flat. Cheap vices lift, so you tap the work down after clamping.
Do I need a ground precision vice?
For milling, yes — a ground vice holds jaw and bed squareness within about 0.02mm, so work sits true and you cut to the line without shimming. A plain machined vice (Clarke CHT152) is fine for drilling and rough work but won't hold milling tolerances.
Plain or swivel-base milling vice?
A plain vice is more rigid and the default for milling. A swivel base adds a graduated turntable for angled cuts but raises the work and reduces rigidity. Buy plain for general milling; add a swivel vice only if you regularly cut angles.
How do I set a milling vice true?
Bolt it lightly, then sweep the fixed jaw with a dial indicator in the spindle, tapping the vice until the jaw reads true across its length, then tighten fully and re-check. Keyed slots help repeat the setup but you should still indicate for accurate work.
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