Decent rotary vise at a decent price - $68

[LyNcH]

I hope to have some fly tying nights at my house in the near future and don't want to have my buddies worry about bringing their vises with them. I picked up this vise to give it a try and must say overall I am pleased with it. I'm posting this in case anyone is in need of a new vise, or knows someone just getting into tying. The smallest fly I have tied so far is a 16 with no problems. The jaw cam is unique, but it works. It comes with a base standard, which is a must for me.

The vise is sold on ebay, but I emailed the guy directly and he shipped it for free.

MAYFLY TRUE ROTARY FLY TYING VISE with PEDESTAL BASE and BOBBIN REST | eBay

 

[flytire]

looks like it will work as good as a renzetti for a significant lower price. good entry vice for a beginner

 

[LyNcH]

Exactly. I'll still be using my Renzetti and Griffin Montana Mongoose, but I find myself using this one just for a change. It certainly is a better piece of tying equipment than the Danvise, which was my first rotary and is now in my "loaner" category of gear.

 

[WBDluver]

Well if is was MacFlys then it was sold as new in unused condition. Probably never seen a hook. :rofl:

 

[Trout Fever]

nice lynch looks sturdy and clean looks like a good deal you got there

 

[MACFLY]

Well if is was MacFlys then it was sold as new in unused condition. Probably never seen a hook. :rofl:

Yes well we share something in common I don't tie flies and your flies don't catch any fish

 

[flytire]

Yes well we share something in common I don't tie flies and your flies don't catch any fish

ouch! :thumb:

 

[WBDluver]

60 inch tv? personal vices for guys that come over? Lynch, buddy, pal, friend!

 

[AKSkim]

For the price you simply cannot beat it.

I am on another board and they have "Tie & Lies" at homes.

The kitchen table gets too small you can always pick up a 6 ft portable folding table for $40.00.

Better than having everyone sitting around the dining room table tying when the wife comes home.

 

[LyNcH]

Wait until I post some pics of my tying/rod building room when it's set up in a few weeks.......no dining room table here! A project in the making for over a year now finally coming to fruition.

 

[BernieDu]

I know it's been a while but I saw your post from 01/14/12 regarding the Mayfly 2 vise. I was wondering if you are still using it and if so how it's holding up.

I have an opportunity to pick one up on eBay. You said you were able to contact the seller directly. I don't want to go around eBay but he has a version 3 available but it's not on eBay and I can't find much out about these vises anywhere on the internet. Perhaps I'm not using the right search criteria.

I did contact the seller thru eBay but so far haven't gotten him to tell me much about the new vise or if I can buy one from him. He has sent me pictures and told me that Mayfly 3 has Delrin bushings but little else. I'm still exchanging emails with him. Can you help.

 

[LyNcH]

It's a very part-time vise I use at work when I have time to tie during lunch. So far it has held up well.

 

[Randyflycaster]

Is it a true rotary vise? I have a rotary vise, but I now wish I had a true one so I could rotate the vise and not change the angle of the fly.

Randy

 

[BernieDu]

Is it a true rotary vise? I have a rotary vise, but I now wish I had a true one so I could rotate the vise and not change the angle of the fly.

Randy

Yes, the Mayfly is a true rotary vice and a very nice one for $78. The price has gone up. The jaws work very well and are pretty smooth and easy for being new. I haven't gone this far but I think you'll break a hook off before it will slip (up to a #6 possibly).

As you can see in the picture I added a weight on the handle to counter balance the head. Just for grins, I took a 4 oz. lead egg sinker and turned it down until it weighed 3-1/8 oz. (notice the flat area in the middle). While this is does not dynamically balance the head, it allows you to turn the vise to any position and it will stay there without tightening either of the thumb screws. Of course if you start working on a fly you'll want to snug up the drag screw to keep the vice from spinning. You can still rotate the vice with a little tension on the drag screw yet work on the fly with out causing it to rotate. Since there are no ball bearings and the counter balance is not precise (yet) it will not spin like the Norvice (tm) but it will spin somewhat. I'd like to pour a half moon counter weight that will leaves the handle exposed but I'm too busy tying fly's at the moment and it works nicely as it is. I am going to put some shrink tubing over the counter balance so I don't get lead poisoning.

The Mayfly II has a Delrin (tm) body thru which the shaft turns and should spin much more freely. Fred Bach, the manufacturer, says he couldn't secure it to a vertical steel post because the Delrin's too slick so he's got it on a wooden mount which I don't care for.



Regards,

Bernie