HC,

I'm with you on the vise stem mounted cadles, they are mounted in the wrong place.

In A.K. Best's book, Production Fy Tying, he shows an example of a bobbin cradle that solves this problem.

The 'key' is a cradle that pivots directly under the the eye of the hook. Then, when you 'swing' it to one side, the thread length stays the same.

I built mine from an old vise clamp, a piece of doweling, and some wire. Since you can make your own, you get to decide how far away from the hook eye the cradle is.

I wouldn't try to tie without mine.

Check out the book, if you haven't got it. Lots of great information on tools and bench set up that you'll not see elsewhere.

Good Luck!

Buddy