Good Beginner Vise

Can anyone recommend a good beginner vise? In a price range under $40.

these would be a good start

http://shop4.mailordercentral.com/ho...s.asp?dept=343

or these

http://shop4.mailordercentral.com/ho...s.asp?dept=229

For under $40 you could probably find a used Thompson Model A. Good, simple, reliable, it will last a long time. Doesn't have rotary feature, which is nice to have. I've seen used Danvise on Ebay for $70 - never tied with one but many folks like them. I would resist buying a cheap knock-off vise unless you just want to get tying and plan to replace it.

Regards,
Scott

I know, it's more than you wanted to spend, but I don't think you can go wrong with a Dan-Vice. BT's Fly Fishing Products, a sponsor of FAOL, has it for $85, plus shipping. I've had mine for almost 2 years, and wouldn't trade it. I started with the cheapie Thompson A knockoff that came with my starter kit. It was fine until I could scrape together cash for a better vise, but I knew I wanted a rotary from the start.

Fly Fish Ohio has a review of under $50 vices that may help you make up your mind.

I did a quick google search with "Thompson A Vise" and found a whole slew of vise options from $15 to $75. Some of them looked interesting.

Kirk

here is a good one on ebay, http://cgi.ebay.com/Griffin-Enterpri...3A1%7C294%3A50

I like the griffin vise model 1a or 2a easy to set up and holds the hook well. the 2a sells for about $60 new

Eric

One of my good friends has been tying on the $45 version of the EZ Rotary vise for years. After tying a few flies on it, I can say it's a solidly built vise, works very well and the rotary function is very smooth. A lot of vise for the money.

My wife ties on a Dan Vise from BT's, among others, and really likes the vise. She did get the extension that allows more room behind the hook. Another very solid vise.

REE

I would second Ron on the EZ rotary vise. I bought one from Hook and Hackle as a cheap rotary vise and have just kept using it. For the money it's hard to beat.

E-Z rotary - Can't be beat for the $$$

Are you handy with tools?

Do you have access to an electric drill, some clamps and a bench grinder?

If so you can make your own vise.

During May of this year I led 35 high school students in a macroinvertebrate study which included building their own vise and fly tying.

What's the catch?

I would appreciate photos of you and your vise and your assurance that you will not publish the directions that I would send to you.

The cost of the hardware and wood..........about $4.00

Ed

I always recommend the Thompson. When mine finally wore out after 20+ years of use, I bought another one to replace it. When that one wears out, I may have to whittle one out of scrap. I just can't see spending $ on a fancy vise when all it needs to do for me is hold the hook steady.

I jumped back in with one of these Cabelas kits
The vise was a little rough IMHO, but a trip through my shop slicked it up.
I liked the variety of materials and it got me hooked again on tying my own flys.
Now it is my traveling vise.
It's a tad more than your target price, but has a variety of materials to get you started. ;)

I have the EZ Rotary and it is a decent vise for the money. I've since bought a Dyna King for larger hooks and an HMH with micro jaws for the small stuff.

The EZ Rotary is good for hooks 10 and smaller but I found it's holding power on larger hooks to be poor. Also, be careful on how tight you try to tighten the screws as they will easily strip. I had to replace one because of this. Also be aware that the threads are metric.

Dave

Crown Vise at flyshack.com.
Exactly in your price range $39.99 and rotating.
I own two and use them more than any others.
However, one of them will not take hooks bigger than a size 1. They will, however, handle the smallest of hooks.

Another vote for the E-Z Vise from Hook & Hackle.
I've been tying on mine for awhile now and like it.
I have had zero problems with mine holding large bass hooks.