Hey all, Ive been using a regent vice since I started tying again a few years ago, it's served me well and at £20 I've no complaints but of late it's started slipping through the c-clamp and it loosens up all the time. I also want to get a smoother working vice with a rotary function, I seem to be turning my flies round more and more to check them, add cheeks etc
Anyway my question is basically if anyone has used an anvil apex vice? I've been looking around and like the look of it and looks simple and well made, can get one just now for about £85 as well which seems like a bit of a bargain but wouldn't mind hearing from someone who's tried it, cheers
I have one Andy, it's good but it is not a true rotary vice, so I hardly use it these days. The Anvil Atlas would be better, but they are more expensive. I bought a cheap Caimore 'Pro-Rotary' Fly Tying Vice, it's OK, but cheaply made and a bit flimsy.
Think I preferred the simple shape and design (and price!) of the apex, what is the rotary function like? I don't really need full rotation or anything just enough to flip my fly over. What about the build quality? Any opinions very welcome
I have an Anvil Apex, build quality is fine but as Fred says it is not a true rotary.
It will flip the flee over for you nice and neatly.
Quote from: Lochan_load on November 03, 2014, 10:31:01 PM
what is the rotary function like?
The vice cannot hold the hook shank in the horizontal plane relative to the point of rotation, so the rotary function is pointless. The vice is OK, but I would not buy it knowing what I now know. It has no real advantage over a cheap vice.
Ok cheers both, back to the drawing board!
I think that if you enjoy your fly tying as you clearly do, it would be better to buy a good rotary vice.
I've just spotted the snowbee fly mate, I can get that for just over £30 at Harvey angling, looks good and reviews all seem good, full rotary, any experience of that? Would love to go for the atlas but don't think I can justify the price
i have the anvil atlas, full rotary and good solid build, will last a lifetime :P
Quote from: Lochan_load on November 04, 2014, 10:14:11 AM
I've just spotted the snowbee fly mate, I can get that for just over £30 at Harvey angling, looks good and reviews all seem good, full rotary, any experience of that? Would love to go for the atlas but don't think I can justify the price
I think Johnsd told me he has one of those.
The Anvil Aoex has always been listed as a rotary vice yet a few of you say otherwise.
This Amercan made vice has always had good reviews irrespective of rotary or not which incidentally very few actually use this function myself included.
Confused of Erskine
Is that his forum name? I'll start a new thread and see if I get any hits, cheers for the info
Never let it be said I don't make the effort. :lol:
Full rotary vs Anvil Apex
Rotary Vice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml101fqUEtU#ws)
Truelly above and beyond Fred!
Yeah would have been pretty disappointed with that rotation as it doesn't really do what is required, I might stretch to the atlas as it would last and do what I need but I would need to hide the receipt from the wife! If I get good feedback about the snowbee I will prob go for that, at £35ish can't really go wrong
As Admin has demonstrated the Anvil Apex is not a true rotary device but it is solidly made and holds the fly tightly which is more than some vices do. I have used one for two years now and never had any problems with it and they are very popular with the local fly tying community. Although not truly rotary you can turn your fly to put on the jungle cock/ false hackle/ legs or what ever you want on the other side/ underneath no problem.
What would be nice is if one of the hands on technical guys on the forum was to start producing some Law type vices. Can't be that difficult but it's over forty years since I was taught to use hand tools and lathes in Rosyth Dockyard.
Len
Quote from: Tyro on November 04, 2014, 04:58:52 PM
What would be nice is if one of the hands on technical guys on the forum was to start producing some Law type vices.
Happy to give that a slash if I could find some plans/ an original for me to take apart/ someone to dimension an original for me.
Fred can i ask a silly question if you loosen the joint at the top of the shaft on the anvil and level the head does it not make it rotate the fly just a thought John
You can John, but unless you have hands the size of a 4 year old Vietnamese sweat shop fly tier it makes the vice unusable :lol:
Just to demo what I mean. In this position it rotates along the axis of the hook, however the body of the vice restricts access. I certainly find it unusable like that. This is why they put on the cranked jaws shaft on the rue rotary vices
[attachimg=1]
Dyna King Kingfisher vice £130 but worth every penny . Dyna king really do build quality vices . Full rotary and the build quality is second to none . Will last a lifetime
The Dyna King Kingfisher is a very nice vice, but looking at the photos it looks to me it will have the same issues as the Anvil Apex in my video regarding the rotation of the head.
Quote from: admin on November 04, 2014, 09:56:45 PM
The Dyna King Kingfisher is a very nice vice, but looking at the photos it looks to me it will have the same issues as the Anvil Apex in my video regarding the rotation of the head.
You are right Fred. I have the Kingfisher and it doesn't rotate along the axis of the hook shank. That doesn't bother me at all, but others may find that feature essential.
Alex
QuoteNever let it be said I don't make the effort
Fred you have far too much time on your hand.
:roll:
Quote from: Highlander on November 04, 2014, 11:03:00 PM
Fred you have far too much time on your hand.
:roll:
Nah! He's just a retired gentleman of leisure :)
This explains the functionality of different vice designes
Choosing the Right Fly Tying Vise (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYHUeRe55h0#)