I’m finally going to upgrade my vise (Well, … in reality, Liliane was taken over the old one which has served well for decades!).
Looking at a few models and some have both Clamp and Base, but some are only one or the other.
Ideas please. Does a model which sits in a base have any benefits over a clamp model, other than the fact that I can put it right ON the desk top (in those situations where a clamp cannot be accomodated to the table edge).
Is a base as solid as a good clamp? I reef down pretty hard on the thread, sometimes bending the shank!)
Price will probably stay under 200$ (cdn) like for a Griffin Odyssey Cam Vise or Odyssey Spider.
in my limited experience, a base works just fine IF it has something under it to limit skidding. there is a mesh drawer liner material that cuts to size very easily and keeps things in place.
a clamp is lighter for travelling.
a base is better if you like to lean your elbows on the table to spare your shoulders while doing tricky bits.
some of this stuff is interchangeable between vises. my griffin clamp fitted the Renzetti traveller. maybe you already have what you need!
Clamp is nice for me if I’m tying some big flies, especially serious deer-hair bugs, and really need to “lean on” the hook. Also gives you some latitude to adjust vise height. Pedestal base is nice because it’s easy to set up in places where you may not have a surface condusive to clamp on (like just about every motel room I’ve stayed in). You can always start with a clamp and buy a pedestal later (got mine for about $20); most vises have standard stem size (3/8" I think).
I’m with Norman on this…You really need to try both and decide what is best for you.
For me, I prefer the clamp because the base forces me to be leaning forward all the time while tying and that will cause me to get tired quicker and cause my shoulders to ache. With the clamp I am able to rest my elbows on my tying chair arms and lean back. You can also purchase, for the clamp type, the off-set. This is an “L” shape item that you can put into the clamp and put the vise stem into the other end and swing the vise towards you more Hard to explain. I think it is called a vise off-set.
To be absolutely honest I bought a Peak Vise with both a pedestal base and a clamp several years ago and have yet to use the clamp. I have no problem with the base staying stable and motionless and I find it easier to move the vise around on the bench to get it where I want it rather than moving my stool to poistion myself.
If I had it to do over again I wouldn’t bother with a clamp.
Totally depends on the size/weight of the base, and you budget…If the base is pretty sturdy, Thats what I’d go with - I use a DK trekker, and have no problems - don’t even use an underlay - but it is also one of the bigger bases out there. The outrigger/offset is really best with a clamp, because of the shift away from the center of the base, - it will tend to tip with a base when pulling somewhat hard. From what I have heard, the peak has a huge base, that pricewise might be just right…Are you relatively stationary with your tying - not using it for travel etc, then get a clamp, or a large base - but if you take it with you a lot - get a base no matter what - AND not all stems are the same size - Danvise I believe have a 10 mm stem - that requires an altered base…
Anyway - try tying on both…
Ulrik
I figure, with the Griffin, if I want to do a real tying bench, I’ll set a fitting into it to accomodate the vise. This griffin has a 2 piece pole, so when I put it into a base, it won’t be too high.
If you choose a vise that only has a clamp, it is easy enough to build a flat base for those times you might need it.
Take a board about 3/4 x 6 x 10. Across a portion of one end create a ‘bridge’ using two small blocks of wood, about the size of a thread spool, with a bar between them about 4" long, 2" wide and 3/4 thick. Attach your clamp to it UPSIDE-DOWN and insert your vise stem for use.
You could of course put little divots in the base for hooks, or attach a fridge magnet. Rubber feet will keep it from slipping. Since the footprint of the base is larger than the ‘shadow’ of the vise you should not get any tipping even though the material is light.
Can’t find a pic on the web easily or would have included.
G
After tying for 30 yrs on a clamp vice, I bought a DK Trekker base vice 5 yrs ago. I like the base style vise much more than the clamp. Just my preference though.
I have always owned clamp vises, and probably will continue to do so. I have used others’ pedestal vises, and routinely tip the bloody things over. If the pedestals were four times as big, I would be happier. Then again, they would then weigh fifteen pounds.
I take a plastic cutting board with me when I travel. I have found numerous desks, tables, etc in hotel rooms that wouldn’t take the clamp vise for one reason or another (and a few that had signs politely requesting that I refrain from clamping my vise onto the table). Set down the cutting board, clamp the vise onto it, and it is large enough I seldom tip it.
You can always get the clamp model, take it to a machine shop, buy a piece of 5/8 or so steel plate, pay them to thread the end of the vise shaft and drill and tap a hole in the piece of plate…
