Price: £8.21

Maximum jaw opening: 37mm

Contact: Clarke, 01992 565300, www.clarkeinternational.com

Out of the box, this looks like a solid, capable vice. But our tests told a very different story. While the jaws are a reasonable width, they only open up to comparatively poor 37mm, which limits applications. The thread was also incredibly stiff, even though there was excessive play at gaps of more than 10mm. And a sloping design seems to reduce the unit’s grip.