That's just the *ad-vise* I was looking for! Your experience with evaluating fly vises is unmatched.
I had the same worries about the design of the Sidewinder, it looked a bit awkward to get around.
Thanks for your reply.
Wes Wada
Hans Weilenmann wrote:
Wes Wada wrote:
I have an opportunity to purchase a DynaKing Sidewinder rotary vise at what I think is a good price. Has anyone owned this model or used it enough to render an opinion of its comparative value? Thanks.
Wes,
Vises are very personal tools, and one tier's dream vise might be another tier's worst nightmare.
I happen to agree with a friend-tier who described the Sidewinder as follows: It looks like some obsolete Sovjet space junk!
Now this does not exclude the spoosibility that it might be a very functional tool. However, in my opinion it is not. The bulk of the jaws is significalt, and the in-line rotary adjustment sticks out above the axis of rotation, drilling a hole in the non-bobbin hand.
For me the perfect vise is a hook suspended in space, with absolute access to the hook. The Sidewinder is nowhere close to this 'perfect vise'.
Ron Abbey replaced the Sidewinder with the Barracuda, which I think is a much better vise at much reduced cost.
Best, Hans W
