Definition
A clamping tool, typically mounted to a workbench, that holds a workpiece firmly between two parallel jaws so it can be filed, drilled, cut, or otherwise worked on with both hands free. The jaws are opened and closed by turning a screw handle.
Plain English
A bench-mounted clamp that grips a part tightly so you can work on it without holding it.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance shops, hangars, and tool-use descriptions when a part must be held securely during work.
Derivation
From the Old French 'vis,' meaning a screw or winding stair. The name points to the screw mechanism that drives the jaws together — the defining feature of the tool.
Why Pilots Care
A part held loosely can slip, be damaged, or injure the person working on it. Using a vise correctly helps keep maintenance work controlled and precise.
Intuition Check
Do not confuse “vise” with “vice,” meaning a bad habit or moral fault. In aircraft maintenance, a vise is a tool that grips and holds a part.
Example Sentence 1
The mechanic clamped the bracket in the bench vise before drilling the pilot hole.
Example Sentence 2
Soft jaw pads were placed in the vise to avoid marring the aluminum skin during forming.