Vices (the tying kind)

[kmudgn]

I have Thompson rotary vise that I have used for years and years. The jaws are slipping so I decided to look for a new vice. Needless to say, I was astonished at the prices of new vices. Does anyone have suggestions about rotary vices (I need a pedestal).

I am an "experieced" tier and do not tie for show, but to fish. I tie several dozens of flys each year, almost all for fresh water.

THANX

[flytire]

I use a Renzetti Traveller I bought in the late 1980's and havent had a problem yet.

That is my biased opinion and others will have theirs.

Best bet is to go to your local fly shop and try out what they carry. Only you can decide what right for you.

Heres an excellent article on the subject: http://www.flyfisherman.com/ftb/hwvise/index.html

[Vermonter]

kmudgn - I would recommend the Peak vice, rotary, pedestal, no frills and reasonably priced (at least by today's standards!). I've had mine for a couple of years now and am very happy with it. Made in the USA!

Bob

[fessiewig]

I'll suggest the E-Z Rotary Vise.

I've heard a lot of good things about this vise, some of it from a professional tier.

http://www.hookhack.com/vises.html

Scroll down near the bottom of the page.

For $60 you can't go wrong!

[LearningInVT]

I have the DanVise a tru rotary vise that I bought on Ebay. Works really good for me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=44913&item=7139578987&rd=1

[mer]

Can you just get new jaws for it?

If you don't "need" a rotary, take a look at the new HMH. I'm extremely biased towards HMHs (I got rid of a Regal for one), so keep that in mind :)

Sorry, if you don't need a Renzetti-style of rotary vise, take a look at the new HMH. Yes, it rotates on the axis of the shaft, no the hook shank doesn't stay in a single plane if you do, but you will be able to look at both sides of a fly.

I was not trying to start a philosophical war over vise terminology. I simplify the vise categories: Renzetti-style rotating (true or full rotary if you wish) and others. Others include ones like a Griffin 2A that does not allow one to "spin" the shaft, others like the HMH that do allow you to spin the shaft.

[troutscout]

I'd also have to throw a vote in for the Danvise. I'm smitten with mine.

[fessiewig]

The HMH vise is a rotary vise, just not a "true rotary" of "full rotary".

[petegas]

love the DanVise, inexpesive, durable, and travels well, i think a lot of cataglouges are carrying it now , like orvis i believe.

[Flyfish99]

I'd recommend the Dan Vise as well, but AFAIK, it only comes in a clamp model, and the shaft is an odd size which makes it difficult to adapt to a generic pedestal.

A bit of heresy here.....I recently have had the opportunity to try a Renzetti Traveler, and IMHO, the Dan Vise is far superior at half the price. The Hook & Hackle rotary looks like a good deal, but off the top of my head, I don't know if it is available with a pedestal.

[fessiewig]

The Hook & Hackle Vise (The E-Z Rotary Vise) does come with a pedestal and for less than $60.

[BugChucka]

I have a renzetti trvelar... great vise....all kinds of attatchments available.

[maddog48]

I'm partial to my Dyna-King Voyager 2. Does all I ask it to and never complains.


Mike

[Boneylegs]

www.nor-vise.com

[cap]

I have a fairly new (for me) (about 8 months) Dyna King Jr Trekker and I am very happy with it...I hemmed and hawed about replacing my 35 year old Herter's vice over the last several years and finally gave in...FWIW, they both hold and held hooks!

I don't use the rotary feature that much although I am using it more and more...The feature I am coming to really appreciate and like about it is just being able to turn the fly upside down to put in a throat or turn it to the side to tie in cheeks...that to me is way easier than removing the hook and reclamping it like I used to do or i used to try and add things upside down to the hook...you definately have more controll when you can move the hook over....

I came really close to buying a Regal based on all my "serious" tying freind's choice...They all swore by them and said you can turn the fly over and you don't need the rotary feature....of course they are all old geezers and bought thiers a long time ago and they are set in thier ways...I do like just squeezing the jaws open and letting the hook fall into place with out any fitzing or adjustment....but I figured if i was gonna drop some dough i might as well use a vice with features that for me and my freinds were as yet untested untried and possibly in the future....

FWIW, I can see the utility of the rotary fesature but i still just wind up winding stuff overhand because i am used to doing it that way...i assume i will acclimate with time....or if i attended a class or had freinds who were adept at using one they could clue me in to the tricks of the trade...I'll probably just bumble along and learn by doing....

Anyway, l also almost bought a Renzetti several years ago...the thing i discovered was that you needed to buy different size jaws for different sized hooks and because i fish saltwater just as much as fresh i opted for the dynaking because it's jaws were so adjustable over a wide range one set of jaws were all you needed...in the end the costs are comparable...I also knew that many pros use the top end dynakings and when the Junior Trekker became available it was the most affordable of thier ilk, and that pretty well sealed the deal for me...
So i'm happy with it...in fact i wonder why I waited so long to upgrade...just stubborn i guess....

Anyway that is my story and i'm sticking with it...

[kmudgn]

Wow, look at all the replies. It seems this site is cook'n.

It appears that the vice is in the eye of the beholder. Very much like the discussion you had with your friends as a kid "who is better-superman, or batman".

Anyway-to make a long story short, I emailed thompson about the problem. The vice is guaranteed for "life", but the jaws are not, so for $ 23 I took the cowards way out fixed my thompson instead of trying something new

[Tangled Tippet]

Renzetti here,,,Traveler. Well made,holds hooks. Rotary is second to none in my opinion. :)

[Lutzy]

I am currently making custom rotary vises using brass, aircraft aluminum and tool steel. Take a look at the protoype Tom Jutras has in his shop at Mountain Road Fly.

[mtnzone]

I use a dyna king vise the junior tracker but find all of their vises very sturdy and very practical.... but if you looking for another thompson vise ( seeing how they are out of business) I have a "hardly used one" that I would part with. I just hate to see a vise just sit there..... just send me a message if your interested