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Product Review: PEAK Rotary vise
This a review of the Peak rotary vise part # PRV-G2-. Last week I purchased a brand spankin' new peak rotary vise as a means to kick off my crappie jig tying. Please note that I am no expert on the matter and have never tied a fly or jig until now. We'll start with price/packaging. The Peak rotary set me back $149.99 and was purchasing instore at Bass Pro Shops. It came in a simple but effective cardboard box which the Bass Pro flyshop guys opened to ensure everything was there. The very detailed instructions were there as soon as the package was opened. Setting on top amid packaging peanuts was the vise itself, wrapped in bubble wrap. The bobbin cradle rested below it along with a pack containing two polymer thumbscrews. On bottom was the base. After removing the components from the box I was first very impressed with the huge and heavy base. This was something I debated on at first as to whether to get the pedestal mounted vise or get the clamp on. Available at Bass Pro should you desire the clamp on, for a low price, is one of their brand bases that can be purchased seperately and have it both ways. Although I'm sure it would have been adequate it was small and light compared to the Peak base so I opted on the pedestal mount. Definately stable for even a spirited individual who gets carried away wrapping his jigs. The vise itself is very attractive and also the model the fly shop at Bass Pro uses. It's obvious that the people at Peak take pride in their products and want to offer someone a quality product. Setting it up is incredibly simple and straight forward using the instructions provided. Again, highly detailed even for simple minded country folk like me. You insert the vise into the base and adjust the brass tipped set screw to lock it into place using the provided allen wrench. After this you can remove the bobbin cradle and slide it through the polymer pivot mounted on the vise riser which fits snug to the shaft. Here is where you use one of the polymer thumbscrews. It goes from the outside towards the riser and places tension on the bobbin cradle. I really like the use of these polymer thumbscrews as well since you can't crank it down and gall up anything and if you use it to the point it loosens up, you simple tighten it down abit more. Once it is in you can slide and adjust the bobbin cradle however you wish. Moving up towards the vise head/body you will find a place on the underside of the brass head that is threaded. Here is where you insert that second thumbscrew which places tension on the rotary part of the vise. Simple turning it clockwise increases the tension on the shaft and makes it harder to rotate the vise. At the business end we have some large jaws which will allow the use of a large variety of hook sizes. You simply open up the cam handle and adjust the hex nut until the desired pressure is reached on the hook you have in the jaws and lock it back. Again I cannot stress the user friendly attributes of this vise enough. After setting it up I started tying. Although my first couple attempts probably would appeal to only the most sickely and hungry of slabs I quickly got the system figured out and started producing some very attractive looking jigs. Although I have no prior experience with cheaper vises and I'm sure they work, I would easily purchase another Peak if needed. Easy to operate, the bobbin cradle is there if you want it. After using it abit, I normally leave it off personally although it may be more handy for someone tying trout flies or something of that nature. If any of you good crappie.com folks have any more questions about the vise please feel free to pm me. If you are having trouble deciding on a new vise and can afford the Peak, by all means buy it and be happy with its excellent quality and ergonomics.
Wood_Duck
