I’m sure this is something that everyone goes through. After I sit a my vise for a bit my shoulders and back start to feel it. So I figured I’d see where you guys place your vice in relation to your body and about how high it sits. I figure it might shorten the trial and error process at home to know where most people are setting their vices at. Presently I am looking down on my flies so I’m wondering if maybe Im setting it way too low.
Had that same question a while back myself. That sweet spot is harder to find than
it would seem. So far a few inches below eye level has worked good for me but I
still shift it around from time to time to see if it’s more comfortable. Will be interesting
to hear other’s idea’s.
I keep the height of mine about even with the base of my neck, or a little lower. I find that it allows me to rest my elbows or forearms on the edge of the table, which gives me better control, and relieves fatigue from having my arms unsupported. I’d rather adjust my focal point with magnifier glasses or some such device rather than to eliminate the option of unsupported arms.
Would be nice to think that there is some kind of formula for this.
Unfortunitly, this is one of those things that varies wildly from tyer to tyer.
Make sure first, though, that you have a good chair. That will solve the vast majority of tying fatigue issues.
You want to sit comfortably without bending over, and be able to easily reach the vise without overstretching or looking like you are holding a shotgun.
By far most folks tie with the vise too high, and after a poor seat that is the most common cause of tying disconfort.
Finding the correct vise height after that will just take some tial and error.
Good Luck!
Buddy
I used to have pain between my shoulders when I tied. Because of that, I’ve dropped my vise down a fair amount. I esentially tie in my lap. With my upper arms held straight down, my forearms are at a 90 degree angle at most, they may even be pointing downwards a little bit. Since I’ve done this, no pain at all when tying.
Kevin
I have vise extender that brings the vise off the desk. Then I have an adjustable chair with adjustable arms. I can pull right up to the vise and rest my elbows on the arm rests. So basically the vise is practically at eye height.
The vise extender came from Feather-Craft. I got their model but I think I would like the more expensive one better.
I guess it’s all a matter of personal taste but for me I use a pedestal vise and place it far enough back from the table edge so that I can rest my forearms on the edge of the table. I do this intermittently as I tie a fly. This approach lets me take the weight of my arms off of my back. It’s on of the big advantages of a pedestal mount.
Like Fly Chucker, I tie with the vise fairly low. I the only time I have the vise jaws higher than the base of my sternum is when I am stacking or spinning deer hair bugs. I had shoulder and neck pain when tying. A commercial tyer suggested I drop the vise lower. Since then I have no pain in the should or neck when tying.
I use a Dyna King adjustable right angle vise extension. This works with any vise with a standard diameter shaft. I attach the vise clamp to the table upside down and insert the shaft of the extension up into the clamp. Basically, it is mounted upside down from what is shown on the Dyna King website. The extension arm is swung out away from the table and vise shaft is held by the extension arm far enough away from the table that I have no problem wrapping thread and materials. This works better with a rotary vise I think but will work with any vise. This extension is the best $39 I have ever invested in my tying. I also make sure I sit with my back straight. My head is bowed slightly forward so I can look down better. My arms are usually resting on the arm rests of my office chair.
The position I use may not work for everyone, but the right angle adjustable vise extension allows for a much greater range of vise position, both vertically and horizontally.
Most all of the older generation of tiers (Darbees, Dettes, etc.) recommended having the elbows at your side, with about a 90 degree bend at the elbow to prevent shoulder fatigue. All of these were commercial tiers. This seems to be the arm position of the women shown in the photos of the ladies tying for Dan Bailey in his shop back when. This is the position I have used during my nearly 30 years of tying.
Thanks for the replies. It sounds like I’m gonna have to find a better chair and play with my vice height.
I run mine fairly close to full height, because I like having the room underneath for the bobbin to hang. Plus my “trash container” is a pretty tall piece of tupperware…
Keeping the vise low doesn’t mean that you don’t have space below it. I have at a good 3 feet below mine. Use an extension arm to swing it out away from the table.
Kevin
I’m afraid that this question is a bit like asking who makes the best fly rods. The answer is of course it depends on what you like. I used to tie with my vise at about chest level, that is say a Regal sitting on top of a regular height desk the top of which is usually around 31 inches off the floor. My neck, back and shoulders would ache like crazy after about 45 minuets of tying. I did some research and found that the old jewlers used to work from a desk that was a bit higher, usually from 33 1/2 to 34 inches off the floor to prevent this condition. I tried raising the level of my desk top and the neck, back and shoulder pains went away. When I built my new desk, I made the top 34 inches off of the floor and used the space I “created” for a pull-out platform for other stuff that I do such as rod building etc. For me, having the vise raised up allows me to sit comfortably and rest my elbows on the desk top if I want and I can see the fly very easily since it is only a couple of inches below eye level and best of all no more aching neck. Obviously this is just one man’s opinion so I recommend that you try some of the suggestions shared on this thread and find what works best for you. As someone also mentioned, you must have a chair that is both comfortable and adjustable.
Jim Smith
Another good reason to go to fly tying seminars, shows and exhibitions. Sometimes people look too much at the pattern that the guy it tying. OK, I look at the pattern too, but you can learn any pattern. The real secret to watching other tiers (For ME) is to watch how they handle thread, materials, tools; how they manage their work space. If you get a chance to go to the Sow bug coming up or any of the larger - actually any show for that matter, GO, watch, learn.
Rick
I prefer mine fairly high. The hook sits about four inches below eye level.