Work IQ Tools IQ Vise Review: A Bench Vise That Adjusts to Your Work
A good bench vise is one of the most useful accessories in any woodworking shop. Whether you're holding a part for shaping, sanding, drilling, or assembly, a vise keeps the workpiece secure while leaving both hands free.
But traditional bench vises have one limitation: The jaws remain in a fixed position, which means you often have to adjust your working position to suit the vise.
The Work IQ Tools IQ Vise takes a different approach.
This versatile bench vise combines conventional clamping jaws with an adjustable ball-joint mounting system. The result is a vise that can rotate and tilt to position a workpiece at a more convenient working angle.
Add a collection of interchangeable jaw sleeves, and you have a tool designed to handle a wide variety of woodworking and general shop tasks.
What Makes the IQ Vise Different?
At first glance, the IQ Vise looks much like a conventional metalworking bench vise.
It has a pair of clamping jaws operated by a screw mechanism. But instead of being mounted directly to a fixed base, the vise is attached to a rod and ball assembly.
The ball rests in a cradle built into a base that bolts to your workbench.
This arrangement allows the vise to be rotated and tilted, giving you considerably more flexibility in positioning a workpiece.
It's particularly useful when you need to work on different faces or edges of a part without repeatedly removing it from the jaws.
Adjustable Ball-Joint Mount
The ball-joint system is the feature that really sets the IQ Vise apart.
It allows you to change the angle and orientation of the jaws to suit the task.
For example, you can position a workpiece horizontally for one operation, then rotate or tilt the vise to access another surface.
This flexibility can make tasks such as filing, sanding, shaping, and other detail work more convenient.
Rather than moving around the workbench to reach an awkward surface, you can reposition the workpiece itself.
Quick Cam Locking System
Once you've positioned the vise, a proprietary Quick Cam locking mechanism holds the ball joint in place.
The locking lever is located beneath the mounting base.
Release the cam to adjust the vise, then engage it to secure the selected position.
The system provides a convenient way to change the working angle without having to unbolt or reposition the entire vise.
Interchangeable Jaw Sleeves Add Versatility
The adjustable mounting system is only part of the IQ Vise's appeal.
Another useful feature is its collection of interchangeable jaw sleeves.
These sleeves fit over the metal vise jaws, providing different gripping surfaces for various materials and applications.
The sleeves are double-sided, allowing each set to provide two different contact surfaces.
They also use locking pins to keep them attached to the jaws.
Five sleeve styles are described for the IQ Vise system.
Flex-Fit Sleeves
The IQ Vise comes with Flex-Fit jaw sleeves.
These general-purpose sleeves provide alternative gripping surfaces for holding a variety of workpieces.
Their double-sided design gives you additional flexibility depending on the material and shape of the part.
Leather Jaw Sleeves
Leather sleeves provide a different contact surface for gripping workpieces.
They can be useful when working with materials that benefit from a less aggressive gripping surface than bare metal jaws.
The leather sleeves are shown in use in the review's main photography.
Pipe-Fit Sleeves
Round workpieces can be difficult to hold securely in conventional flat vise jaws.
The Pipe-Fit sleeves address this problem with a gripping surface designed for cylindrical materials.
The photo above shows the sleeves being used to hold a section of galvanized pipe.
This makes the IQ Vise useful for more than woodworking.
Tasks involving pipe, tubing, and other round materials can benefit from specialized jaw surfaces that better match the shape of the workpiece.
Woodworking Jaw Sleeves
The Woodworking sleeves are designed for applications where you want to protect the surface of a workpiece while holding it securely.
Their contact surfaces provide a more forgiving alternative to bare metal jaws.
The photo above shows these sleeves holding a piece of acrylic.
For woodworking tasks, this type of sleeve can be especially useful when working with finished surfaces or parts that might otherwise be marked by metal jaws.
As with any vise, use only enough clamping pressure to hold the workpiece securely without damaging it.
Sure-Fit Sleeves
The fifth option is the Sure-Fit sleeve.
This design combines features of two other sleeve styles.
One side uses a multi-grooved gripping surface similar to the Flex-Fit sleeve, while the opposite side features a compression-fit foam surface similar to the Woodworking sleeve.
The combination provides two different gripping options in a single set.
How Do the Jaw Sleeves Attach?
Changing jaw sleeves is straightforward.
Each sleeve fits over the corresponding metal vise jaw.
A locking pin secures the sleeve in position, helping prevent it from shifting or coming loose during use.
To change gripping surfaces, remove the locking pin, take off the sleeve, and install the desired replacement.
Then reinstall the pin to secure it.
This allows you to configure the vise for different tasks without changing the main vise assembly.
Where Is an Articulating Bench Vise Most Useful?
The IQ Vise's combination of adjustable positioning and interchangeable jaws makes it useful for a variety of shop operations.
For woodworking, the adjustable mount can help position smaller parts at a convenient angle for shaping, sanding, carving, or other detail work.
The softer jaw sleeves are useful when working with materials that could be damaged by conventional metal vise jaws.
For general shop tasks, the Pipe-Fit and other specialized sleeves provide options for holding different shapes and materials.
The real advantage is being able to bring the workpiece into a comfortable working position rather than having to work around a fixed vise.
Is the Work IQ Tools IQ Vise Worth Considering?
If you only need a vise for occasional clamping, a conventional bench vise may be all that's necessary.
But for woodworkers and makers who frequently work with small parts, unusual shapes, or materials that require different gripping surfaces, the IQ Vise offers some useful features.
Its ball-joint mounting system allows the jaws to be positioned at a wide range of angles, while the Quick Cam mechanism locks the selected position.
The interchangeable sleeves add another level of versatility, making the vise adaptable to different materials and applications.
It's a thoughtful approach to a familiar shop accessory and an interesting option for anyone looking for more flexibility from a bench-mounted vise.
Build a Versatile Swivel Vise
This shop-built swivel vise uses a standard hitch ball to let you rotate and tilt a workpiece into the perfect working position. A quick-release handle makes adjustments easy, while the clever mounting system fits existing workbench dog holes for quick installation and removal. Plus, the quick-change design accommodates multiple accessories without taking up permanent bench space.
GET THE SWIVEL VISE PLANS → Position Your Workpiece at Just the Right Angle
