Inexpensive, not Cheap vise

[fish_4_all]

I am looking to get a new vise. I know, I have found hundreds of them that are rotating, special holding tools for thread, etc.etc.etc...

I just need a new one that will last as long as my old one and has some sort of pointed tapered jaws. I have been using an old round ended Wal-Mart special kit vise for a good 10 years so anything above that would be an improvement. The head on the vise I have now is over 1/2 in diameter and I can tie a size 24 hook so I don't need anything fancy, just durable and easier than this rusty one I have.

Anyone got a suggestion for any vise under $50 that will simply last with or without any added features.?

[CrappieKillerJigs]

ummm not under $50 but you can get a nice rotating vise for $75....if i was you i would get a griffin spyder....cheap but does everything a $300 vise can do and its 1/3 of the price...cabelas is the best place to get this vise unless you can find it online cheaper

[fish_4_all]

Silverado vise

I guess I like it but I am left with one dilemma. My fly tying "station" is a wood box I made by hand. I don't have the room to set up a vise on a table or other solid surface. Is why I am think something more basic. The Spider is a nice vise for sure and might be the right choice but will see if I have the extra to get it.


When I tie I get it out, set in my lap and tie. Not much other than that. Not sure if a rotating vise is gonna work in this situation.


Imagine tying a size 24 on this monster. Not the easiest thing for sure. Even regular size hooks are hard to tie all the way to the shank and beyond depending on what I am doing.

So as you can see, anything is better than what I have. Not to mention it is about to fall apart. Can't complain though because I will venture a guess that I have tied well over 3000 jigs and flies with this one if not closer to 5000+. Hell I tied over 750 in the first year I had it. My wife thought I was cheating on her with it. I just want the next one to last as long and helps me catch another 5000 fish. If it was a little easier to use I wouldn't mind either. :D

[dedawg1149]

i bought a rotary vise of of ebay with all the tying supplies for 50 bucks keep a eye on there sales you might get lucky

[skiptomylu]

Have you looked at the Thompson Model A at about $50-$60? Check them out as I think lot of tiers still use them.

This is getting a little old now as it was in 2006, but still has a lot of good info.
Selecting the best fly-tying vise, by Hans Weilenmann and Bruce Salzburg

Skip

[fish_4_all]

I read that a couple times now, good article Skip.

Anyone know what size hooks the Thompson and Spider will hold?

[redear]

there is a vise made by griffin called a superior AA if memory serves me right. I have one that I paid about 45 bucks for. It is simple and non rotating, but will hold a hook with the best of them. yes rotating vises are nice, and I now have one made by dynaking, but they tied flies etc. for years without them, and some old pros still don't use a rotary. you would be happy with the griffen unless you just had to have the rotary vise.

[fish_4_all]

Let's go to under $100.
Here is what I have found:
http://www.orvis.com/store/productch...id=6177&bhcp=1
Thompson Model A
Spider vise
Danville Danvise
Cabela's -- Silverado Vise

Anything that is durable and rock solid. Danvise got mixed reviews with the worst being it breaks quickly. Can't find any reviews for the spider, thank you CKJ for the only review I could get. Thompson is a good one but also so mixed reviews with hook slippage and large hook limits. The Silverado looks good but no reviews and not sure if it is solid metal or not.

Is this the one?
Griffin Superior 2A Vise

Looks good but I know nothing about the thumbscrew types. I hear they can be hard to use and keep the hook in place while you tighten them.

I did find some more info on the Spider vise and it looks good. Nothing bad about them yet.

[Decoy Carver]

Griffin

[redear]

fish4all, I just looked at that website, and my vise is the superior 1A, it's all black. don't worry about the reliability of the thumbscrew types, they do the job well, there are some expensive vises that have been made that way, renzetti included. It might take a couple seconds longer to secure the hook or release it compared to a cam lever but you will like it. I even took the jaws apart and scratched a few lines on the inside surfaces with a carbide lathe bit, and I can bend a hook into a pretzel. those jaws are very hard steel, it wasn't easy to scratch them even with carbide.