Hello again, fellow fly tyers and followers of the Rivfly journey!
In our previous chapters, we delved into the heart of our vise with the jaw design and showcased the thinking behind the vise's main body and structure. Today, we're moving from the top down to focus on what holds it all together: the pedestal base. A great vise is more than just its ability to grip a hook; it needs to provide a stable, wobble-free platform that lets you focus purely on the art of tying.
The Philosophy: Stability Meets Functionality
A pedestal base can't just be a lump of metal. It needs to have purpose in its weight, footprint, and features. For the Rivfly vise, our design goals were clear:
- Maximum Stability: We designed a wide and heavy base, CNC-machined from a solid block of 6061-T6 aluminum. The overall dimensions (160mm x 120mm) create a footprint that resists tipping and sliding. The 10mm hole on the left is precisely machined to accept the main vise post, ensuring a snug and secure fit.
- Integrated Tying Station: A clean workspace is an efficient workspace. We've incorporated three milled pockets: two smaller ones for hooks and beads, and a larger one for finished flies or waste materials.
- Modular Accessory System: We're thinking ahead. The series of 8mm holes on the right side are not just for show; they are docking ports for a future line of modular accessories. This will allow you to expand your station with tool holders, thread-spool posts, or other attachments as your needs grow. The smaller 5mm holes offer additional spots for your most-used, smaller-diameter tools like bodkins and whip finishers.
The Reality of Creation: Navigating Delays
Transparency has been a core part of this project, and we want to share not just our successes but also our challenges. While the design is locked in and the prototyping process has begun, we've encountered a slight delay. Our manufacturing partner is currently experiencing a high volume of production orders. While this is a testament to their quality and demand, it means our vise project has been pushed back in the queue.
We now anticipate receiving the first physical prototypes of the vise body and base next month, rather than this month as originally hoped. Furthermore, the development of the extended accessory line we've planned will likely take shape towards the end of next month.
Patience is a virtue in fly fishing, and it seems, in product development too. We believe it's better to wait for a perfectly executed product than to rush and compromise on quality. We are in constant communication with our partners to ensure that as soon as a production slot opens, our project is the first one in.
Thank you for your continued support and for following along. We are incredibly excited to get these first samples in our hands and share them with you. The next update will hopefully feature real photos of the first Rivfly Vise!
Stay tied, The Rivfly Team
