IRWIN 4935506 Multi-Use Bench Vise, 6-Inch Cast-Iron with Swivel Base

For woodworking or metalworking that needs a workpiece held in place, the IRWIN 4935506 bench vise offers a cast-iron body and a swivel base for positioning. It’s designed for professional woodworkers and metalworkers, while also serving general-purpose workshop tasks. If your priority is a secure hold, its clamping pressure is the key feature, if you often need to change your working angle, the swivel base adds practical flexibility.

At a glance

This 6-inch multi-use vise is made from grey iron that is cast and machined to close tolerances. Its body is designed to withstand distortion under high pressure, and it provides more than 3,000 pounds of clamping pressure for demanding jobs. An incorporated anvil gives you a surface for suitable workshop tasks, while the fused steel handle operates the main screw to bring the jaws together.

The vise has a 2 1/2-inch throat depth and a 4 1/4-inch clamping capacity. A long-barrelled nut, dovetailed into the body, supports smooth operation, alignment between the main screw and nut is designed to reduce wear over time. A safety stop helps prevent the slide from separating from the body. These features make it a practical choice when the job calls for a stable hold and controlled adjustment rather than a portable clamp that moves with the workpiece.

How it fits

Use the swivel base to position the vise for the task, then secure the workpiece between its jaws for hands-on work. That arrangement is useful when you need both a firm hold and room to approach the material from a workable angle, whether shaping wood or carrying out metalworking tasks. The integrated anvil also gives you a built-in surface for appropriate bench work, so the vise can support more than clamping alone.

The product is intended for professional woodworking and metalworking, and its general-purpose design also suits light- to medium-duty applications. Buyers’ comments are positive about its function and smooth action, while feedback on weight and durability is mixed. That range of views makes the intended work an important part of choosing: consider the vise for workshop tasks suited to its stated applications, rather than treating buyer impressions as a guarantee for every working condition.

Tips for day-to-day use

Position the swivel base to give yourself a clear approach to the workpiece before tightening the jaws. Centre the material between them where practical, and use the handle to apply a controlled hold appropriate to the task. The stated throat depth and clamping capacity help when assessing whether a particular piece can be held in the position you need. Keep the built-in anvil in mind for suitable work, and let the safety stop help retain the slide as the vise is adjusted.

For a project that requires the workpiece to stay put while you shape, fit or work on it, this bench-mounted style provides a different approach from a hand-held clamp: the vise holds the material at the bench, leaving your hands available for the task. The swivel base makes it easier to adjust the working position without changing that basic setup.

Questions before you buy

What is the vise made from? Its body is grey iron, cast and machined to close tolerances, with a fused steel handle.

Can I change its position on the bench? Yes. The swivel base lets you reposition the vise to suit the angle of the work.

What are its stated working dimensions? It has a 2 1/2-inch throat depth and a 4 1/4-inch clamping capacity. The listed overall dimensions are 38.7 x 19.1 x 23.2 centimetres.

Should you buy it?

Choose the IRWIN 4935506 if your workshop work benefits from a substantial cast-iron vise, strong clamping pressure and a base that can swivel for positioning. Its anvil, safety stop and screw-and-nut design add useful details for regular bench tasks. For woodworking and metalworking where a stable hold and an adjustable working angle matter, it brings those functions together in one multi-use vise.