How to Free a Seized Bench Vise
It spent its life squeezing things. Now it is the one that is stuck.
Old vises seize from rust on the main screw and the sliding jaw. The fix is to take it apart, free it, clean it and grease the screw.
Step by Step
- 1
Soak the screw and slide
Spray the main screw through the front and along the sliding jaw. Leave it overnight.
- 2
Work it open
Turn the handle back and forth, a little further each time, adding penetrant as it moves.
- 3
Disassemble
Open it fully and slide the jaw out. Remove the screw nut if your vise allows.
- 4
Clean
Wire-brush the screw, nut and slide to bare metal. Remove old crusty grease.
- 5
Grease and reassemble
Coat the screw and slide with grease and reassemble.
Most vises are cast iron. Gentle, even heat is fine; rapid heating or quenching can crack castings.
- Support the moving jaw when sliding it out. It is heavy.
Which Penetrant, and Why
Amazon links are affiliate links. Disclosure.
WD-40 White Lithium
Listed for metal-to-metal and gears. Coat the screw on reassembly.
Read our reviewCommon Mistakes
Hammering on the handle to force a seized screw.