Two 6-inch workholding vises can look similar on a shelf, but in the workholding fixturing metrology category they solve different problems. One is a lower-price option; the other is a higher-price milling-oriented design. The choice comes down to whether you value setup flexibility or extra clamping capacity.
Quick Verdict
If you want a 6-inch workholding vise for general shop duty, the Dayton 4TK04 is the simpler pick. If most of your work involves larger clamping jobs and you want a single-station design, the Precision deserves a closer look.
Comparison Table
| Detail | Precision Single-Station 6" Vise | Dayton 4TK04 6" Vise With Fixed Base |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 400.00 | USD 119.99 |
| Price spread | USD 280.01 | - |
| Condition | New - Open box | New |
| Jaw width | 6 in | 6 in |
| Jaw opening | 7-1/2 in | 6 in |
| Base / style | Stationary single-station | Fixed base |
Where Each Product Wins
The Precision single-station vise is the stronger option when a stationary design and more room between the jaws matter more in your workflow. Its cast-iron body and listed load capacity of 7,875 lbs put it in a heavier-duty class, though the exact fit depends on the workpieces you clamp.
The Dayton 4TK04 wins for fixed-base versatility. It can be turned on either side, and its specs include jaw deflection of 0.002 in at 2,000 lbs and bed/base parallelism of 0.001 in, so you get concrete alignment targets for repeat setups.
Product Notes
Precision Single-Station 6-Inch Vise
The Precision is the heavier-duty of the two. The cast-iron body carries a listed 7,875 lb load capacity, and the overall length is 17.2 in, so it takes up a real spot on the bench. The design is aimed at milling machine work. If you are making chips more than swapping setups, the load rating is the main reason to look here. The trade-off is the condition: it is sold as New - Open Box because it was used for demo/sales display, so it comes in original packaging but has display history. If that does not bother you, this is the milling-heavy pick.
Dayton 4TK04 6-Inch Machine Vise With Fixed Base
The Dayton is listed as both a machine vise and a drill press vise, which tells you where it fits in a shop. It has a 2-inch throat depth and an overall length of 13-3/4 inches, with alignment specs worth noting: jaw deflection of 0.002 in at 2,000 lbs and bed/base parallelism of 0.001 in. That gives you a predictable setup for repeat work. The limitation is the opening: at 6 inches it matches the jaw width, so a part bigger than 6 inches won't fit without changing fixtures. If your workpieces stay inside that range, the Dayton is the lower-price way to get a new 6-inch vise.
Final Choice by Use Case
Dedicated milling work: Choose the Precision Single-Station 6-Inch Vise at its $400.00 listed price when a cast-iron milling vise is what your shop needs.
General machine and drill press work: Choose the Dayton 4TK04 6-Inch Machine Vise With Fixed Base at $119.99 when you want a 6-inch machine vise for daily shop tasks and don't need extra jaw capacity.
