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Brian D.
Senior MemberPosts: 4,011 Senior Member
I need a new tying vise
Brian D.
Senior MemberPosts: 4,011 Senior Member
I currently tie off a cheap vise that I got with a fly tying kit. I think I'm about to upgrade to something better, since I'm currently putting a tying desk together and I think it'll work better with a pedestal base vise instead of a c-clamp one. My requirements:
1. I am a cheapass and I don't want to spend a lot of money. Due to my cheapassedness, I'm probably going to consider anything $150 and up "a lot of money."
2. I am no great tier (tyer?), so I want something easy to use. I don't need anything super high-tech.
3. My tying is mostly in extremes - #20 to #26 midges one day, and 6- to 8-inch streamers for big browns (or maybe stripers) the next day. Often there's not a lot inbetween.
I've never owned a rotary vise, but I tie some stuff like clousers and kreelex minnow type flies and such where I have to turn the hook over halfway through. It would be nice to be able to flip it without removing it from the vise. So maybe a rotary ought to be on the menu.
Okay, those are the parameters. What should I buy?
Oh, and are there any reasons why a pedestal isn't a good idea? Are they sturdy when you're tying or is it going to wobble under tension and be a pain in the butt? I've only tied on a c-clamp one so I have no idea.
bd
1. I am a cheapass and I don't want to spend a lot of money. Due to my cheapassedness, I'm probably going to consider anything $150 and up "a lot of money."
2. I am no great tier (tyer?), so I want something easy to use. I don't need anything super high-tech.
3. My tying is mostly in extremes - #20 to #26 midges one day, and 6- to 8-inch streamers for big browns (or maybe stripers) the next day. Often there's not a lot inbetween.
I've never owned a rotary vise, but I tie some stuff like clousers and kreelex minnow type flies and such where I have to turn the hook over halfway through. It would be nice to be able to flip it without removing it from the vise. So maybe a rotary ought to be on the menu.
Okay, those are the parameters. What should I buy?
Oh, and are there any reasons why a pedestal isn't a good idea? Are they sturdy when you're tying or is it going to wobble under tension and be a pain in the butt? I've only tied on a c-clamp one so I have no idea.
bd
Replies
Mike
Check eBay....there are several deals on Renzetti vices.
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p3984.m570.l1311&_nkw=renzetti+vise&_sacat=See-All-Categories
Mike
I would suggest: a) "true" rotary; b) a c-clamp.
If you ever do deer hair bugs, the extra stability of a c-clamp will be appreciated.
Another option is to buy a knock off that won't last a lifetime but costs a lot less.
Regal knock-off: http://www.basspro.com/White-River-Fly-Shop-Crown-Spring-Tension-Vise/product/10220904/-1760826?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT
Renzetti knock-off: http://www.basspro.com/Terra-Rotary-Vise/product/10225557/-1341245?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT
pedestal base: http://store.hookhack.com/Pedestal-Base/products/341/
The Renzetti copies and knock-offs I have seen fall far short. I have a Regal knock-off similar to the one shown above that I use for big bass and salt water flies. It has worked well for a dozen years or so, but it gets limited use and I would not say it is equal to a Regal.
George Will
another for Renzetti
I am on my second after they went to a bearing
bd
*The other reason I tie my own flies is so I can make things I can't buy, but that's not really relevant to this discussion.
In fact, the thought has occurred to me that maybe I ought to just cut a notch out of one of the shelves on the desk to make the c-clamp fit better and forget about this whole new vise thing.
I'd kinda like a rotary though, honestly.
bd
It'll probably have to be another time. I think I'm going blackberry picking on Saturday. I'm trying to get enough to make an attempt at brewing blackberry wine.
bd
Regards,
Scott
It is much less expensive, but only after the first two thousand dozen or so.
George Will
The least expensive Regal will meet your dollar requirements and also tie the sizes you are looking to tie provided you are careful when mounting those 22's and 24's in the jaws. One thing the Regal will do is hold any larger hook you care to tie on. I've tied 5/0's on my Regal Inex and it held the hooks as tightly as you apparently hold a Buffalo Head nickel.
I did break down and buy a "C" clamp version Dan-Vise last year though. I got it from J Stockard when they had one of their many promotions and got the vise and extension arm which you will appreciate when tying larger streamers shipped to my door for under $ 100.00. It's nice vise considering that it offers true rotary and I'm confident that I'll never outgrow it's capabilities.
Regards,
Tim Murphy:D
big time get the cam jaw...
If you've never tied with a rotary you'll love it. Other than that the guys I tie with mostly have the Renzetti Traveller.
I agree that the cam kit is expensive at the current price of $75, but I also understand that manufacturing the jaw assembly is more than half of production costs.
I wish you would share with us where to find Regal vises for "far less" than a Renzetti Traveler. The least expensive Regal I can find also is named "Traveler". It does cost $35 less than the Renzetti Traveler, but is not a rotary vise, which is what sets the Renzetti apart and why so many others have copied his design.
The Barracuda and some other Renzetti knock-offs are very good vises, but The Barracuda costs about twice what the Traveler does. It will not tie better flies or last longer, so unless you just really want stainless steel and ball bearings why would you pay double? Unless, of course, you are "buying for prestige" rather than functionality.
George Will
When getting all worked up about 'true rotary' and jaw strength I try to remember these things used to be tied by hand alone