Tying position?

[LochinLoch]

Hi guys
I get terrible neck pain when tying flies, I'm assuming the height of my vice is wrong.....so what height should the vice be for me to have the correct posture and position?

Hopeful for a pain relief idea or 2

Colin

[AlanB]

Hi Colin,

This is often the thing that is missing in many of the instructions on fly tying.
You are probabily in pain because you are holding up the weight of your arms. To calcuate the right height for the vice is very simple. Bunch your hand into a fist and put it under your chin or chins in my case. The height of your elbow is where you want the vice jaws to be.

Setting the jaws at this height means that your arms are in a relaxed position at your sides. Setting yout vice at this height can be difficult. I use an L shaped vice extension to throw the vice out from the table. Here a picture is worth a few words. This isn't my current set up but was what I used 12 months ago.

You see how low the jaws are compaired to the table height. Many people think the extension arm should ge fittted into the top of the clamp but it is far better to put it in from below.

Many people complain about not being able to see the fly at this distance. If you can't see to tie a fly at that distance you need glasses. Readers are no good! They are set to focus at about 7 inches (17.5cm) get some readers made up that focus at 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm). Then you will be able to work in comfort.

Hope this helps
Cheers
Alan.

p.s. I have a vice extension made up for 3/8 inch clamp. It isn't the best made one ever but it is ok. If you want it then it is yours (no one else wants it as I offered it to the first to ask at the BFF last year and no one did!)

[halcyon]

In addition to the excellent advice from AlanB I would add the following points for your consideration.

Your chair height should place your feet comfortably flat on the floor and your vise should be positioned to allow your elbows to be hanging down as mentioned by AlanB and also allowing you to look slightly down upon the hook when you are tying. Also, as AlanB mentioned if you can't see you need lenses that focus at around 18 to 24 inches in my opinion so you can tie without having to hunch over (the other major cause of cramped neck and shoulder muscles). Finally, consider a very good quality lamp with at least a 60W daylight balanced bulb, not fluorescent or halogen.

Regards,

[LochinLoch]

halcyon
Thanks for that..... I've sent a pm to thank AlanB too.... between both of you I'm sure I'll get sorted oot. sounds just what i need!!

Thanks for your advise guys.

Colin

[AlanB]

One other point don't try to tie with a pure white background to the flies. Off white will cause much less eye strain.
Cheers
Alan.

[Ronn Lucas]

Lighting and seating are very understated considerations for tying. I strongly reccomend you or anyone get a good quality comfortable, fully adjustable chair with adjustable arm rests. Position the rests so that most or all of the time, your elbows are resting on them. This takes the weight off your upper back and neck.

Your eyes are not unlike a camera in that they need light to see. The more light, the easier it is to see. To a point of course. For this reason, I strongly reccomend a 100W halogen light. This is what I use all day at work and tying.

As said, if you can't see the fly easily or clearly, get some reading glasses. If your eyes are old and tired like mine, prescription glasses might be needed.

Happy Trails!
Ronn

[LochinLoch]

Thanks Ronn
It looks like I'll need to get a good chair.......i've just been kinda ruffing it in that department.

Colin

[AlanB]

It is funny on the chair side of things I have had one that was all singing and dancing. I used it so much it fell apart. However I had a folding directors type chair that I used at various fairs. It turns out to be just right for me. On my third one now! They only last me a couple of years but the new one I bought last week cost me £7.50. Of course it may be completely wrong for you. It almost certainly will be. I sincerely hope you are not my shape to fit it! (I wish I wasn't my shape!)

My point is that if you find a chair that is good for you then stick with it!

It takes two people to set up a chair properly if it is fully adjustable but once it is set take all the adjustment handles off it or someone will...........

Ronn please stop showing those flies! I could soon be bankrupt just buying materials to try to emulate them! Seriously, lovely flies and an inspiration. Thanks.

Regards,
Alan.