A two-station self-centering vise to hold a pair of work pieces is described. The pieces are held in place against a centered fixed jaw, being clamped against the centered fixed jaw by a pair of movable jaws located on either side of the centered jaw and that simultaneously move toward or away from the centered jaw on actuation of a lead screw. The vise may be converted to a single station vise by removable of the fixed center jaw. A spring loaded, adjustable, friction pad attached to the base of one of the two movable jaws enables temporary clamping of a first work piece while the second workpiece is being installed and once both workpieces are in place the lead screw is turned further to securely and accurately hold the workpieces in between the movable jaws and the fixed central jaw.