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Snowbee Fly Tying Vices – Buying Guide

TROUTCATCHERS EXPERT BUYING ADVICE

Snowbee Fly Tying Vices – Buying Guide

Four Fly-Mate models, two choices that matter: clamp or pedestal and standard or ball-joint head. See how the rotary jaws work, what comes supplied, and which arrangement suits the flies you tie.

Compare all four vices ↓Find your best fit ↓Ball-joint set-up guide ↓
Specialist advice since 2002Verified Fly-Mate featuresPractical tying comparisons
Four Snowbee Fly-Mate fly tying vices, showing standard and ball-joint clamp and pedestal models
KEY DISTINCTIONAll four already rotate

The ball joint adds separate head movement.

START WITH TWO QUESTIONS

Which Snowbee Fly-Mate vice is right for you?

There is no need to choose more movement than you will actually use. All four Fly-Mate models have a 360° cranked-shaft rotary action and the same basic two-screw jaw principle. The differences are how they sit on your bench and whether the tying head can tilt independently of that rotation.

CHOICE 01 · MOUNTING

C-clamp or pedestal?

C-clamp: grips a suitable worktop edge, stays put under tying pressure and keeps the tabletop clear.

Pedestal: sits freely on the bench, moves easily to suit the light and your hands, and needs no clamp-friendly table edge.

Both are good options; choose the way you actually work.

CHOICE 02 · HEAD MOVEMENT

Standard or ball joint?

Standard: rotates the cranked jaw shaft through 360° for viewing and working around the fly.

Ball joint: keeps that 360° rotation and adds independent tilt in different planes, helping you reach small details or guide resin as it settles.

The ball joint is added positioning freedom, not the only way to obtain rotary action.

SIMPLE CLAMP CHOICE19064 Fly-Mate

A dependable, fixed tying position without unnecessary adjustments.

View model 19064 →
SIMPLE PEDESTAL CHOICE19066 Fly-Mate

The same useful rotary system on a movable, freestanding base.

View model 19066 →
MOST FLEXIBLE FLY-MATE19067 Fly-Mate

Pedestal freedom and independent ball-joint head positioning.

View model 19067 →

FOUR MODELS · ONE CLEAR COMPARISON

Snowbee Fly-Mate vice comparison

Every model has a rotary shaft, hardened tool-steel jaws and the essential tying attachments. Choose based on your bench setup and whether you need to tilt the hook as well as rotate it. Product links show the live price and availability.

On a phone, swipe sideways to see the full comparison →

Vice / modelMountingRotationHead movementBest reason to choose it
Snowbee 19064 ClampC-clamp360° cranked-shaft rotaryRotary shaft; no ball jointA dedicated bench where compactness and rigidity matter
Snowbee 19065 Clamp Ball JointC-clamp360° rotary + ball jointMulti-plane ball-joint positioningA fixed bench with easier access around fine flies and resin finishes
Snowbee 19066 PedestalWeighted pedestal360° cranked-shaft rotaryRotary shaft; no ball jointShared worktops and flexible home tying positions
Snowbee 19067 Pedestal Ball JointWeighted pedestal360° rotary + ball jointMulti-plane ball-joint positioningTyers wanting both a moveable base and freedom to tilt the hook

Included with every Fly-Mate: material spring, bobbin cradle, spare O-ring, Allen key and pictorial setup instructions. The clamp or pedestal is supplied according to the model selected. See what each accessory does.

Ready to compare the live product listings?See the individual models and current availability, without prices going out of date in this guide.
Browse Snowbee vices ↗

MEET THE FOUR FLY-MATE MODELS

See how each mounting and head choice feels at the bench

These are four versions of one well-engineered Fly-Mate concept, not four completely different levels of quality. Here is when each arrangement earns its place.

Fly Mate Clamp Vice model 19064 product photograph
SNOWBEE 19064Best for a fixed tying station

Fly Mate Clamp Vice

Simple clamp · 360° rotary

Choose this model if you have a regular tying bench and want a secure, uncomplicated vice with useful rotary access. The clamp stays put while you turn the hook to inspect the far side.

The two-knob jaw system helps you set opening and holding pressure without needing alternative jaw sets.

View Snowbee 19064 Clamp ↗
Fly Mate Clamp Vice – Ball Joint model 19065 product photograph
SNOWBEE 19065Best fixed-bench flexibility

Fly Mate Clamp Vice – Ball Joint

Secure clamp · independent head tilt

A good choice when your bench is fixed but your working angle should not be. The ball joint lets you tilt the head to reach awkward areas, while the separate rotary shaft still turns the hook through 360°.

Particularly useful when tying delicate dries, parachutes or buzzers with varnish or resin bodies.

New to the ball joint? See our step-by-step setup instructions →

View Snowbee 19065 Clamp Ball Joint ↗
Fly Mate Pedestal Vice model 19066 product photograph
SNOWBEE 19066Best simple pedestal

Fly Mate Pedestal Vice

Freestanding pedestal · 360° rotary

For fly tyers who want to reposition the vice to suit light, posture and the available space. It has the same useful cranked-shaft rotary system as the clamp models, simply on a free-standing base.

The pedestal is handy for moving between a permanent bench and a temporary tying space.

View Snowbee 19066 Pedestal ↗
Fly Mate Pedestal Vice – Ball Joint model 19067 product photograph
SNOWBEE 19067Most versatile Fly-Mate

Fly Mate Pedestal Vice – Ball Joint

Pedestal freedom · multi-angle head

This combines the freedom to move the vice around the desk with the ability to tilt the head independently. If you tie everything from fine river flies to resin-coated buzzers, the additional positioning can be genuinely useful.

The ball joint does not replace rotary action; it adds a second way to position the hook while working.

New to the ball joint? See our step-by-step setup instructions →

View Snowbee 19067 Pedestal Ball Joint ↗

FEATURE → FUNCTION → BENEFIT

What the Snowbee vice features actually do for you

Technical specifications are only useful when you can relate them to your own patterns. These are the practical differences we would explain to anyone choosing a Fly-Mate at troutcatchers.

01
360° rotary action

FEATUREThe cranked jaw shaft turns through a full circle. When the hook shank is positioned on the rotation axis, the fly can be turned around its own length.

FUNCTIONCheck the underside, wind and inspect ribs, and see whether wings or tails are balanced.

BENEFIT AT THE BENCHAll four models have the rotary feature; a ball joint is not required just to turn a fly.

02
Independent ball-joint movement

FEATUREThe 19065 and 19067 add an adjustable joint below the rotating head so the jaws can tilt in several directions.

FUNCTIONBring the hook into a comfortable working angle, expose difficult-to-reach points or angle a wet coating as it settles.

BENEFIT AT THE BENCHA real advantage for detailed dry flies and resin buzzers, but not essential for everyday nymph and wet-fly tying.

03
Two-knob parallel jaw adjustment

FEATURETwo separate knurled controls let you set the opening for the hook wire and apply clamping pressure.

FUNCTIONFit different wire thicknesses without changing jaw sets; set and release the hook deliberately.

BENEFIT AT THE BENCHConsistent hook retention and control when changing between small river hooks and larger streamer hooks.

04
Hardened tool-steel jaws

FEATURESpecially hardened, high-alloy jaws are used throughout the Fly-Mate family.

FUNCTIONResist wear under normal tying use and hold the hook securely when set up correctly.

BENEFIT AT THE BENCHThe hardened steel jaws carry Snowbee’s five-year guarantee, backed by a 12-month manufacturing and material defects guarantee for the vice.

05
Pedestal mounting

FEATUREA free-standing base supports the vice on the work surface without fixing it to an edge.

FUNCTIONReposition the whole vice for light, hand access or comfortable posture.

BENEFIT AT THE BENCHEspecially handy for shared worktops, temporary setups and moving between fly-tying spaces.

06
C-clamp mounting

FEATUREA screw clamp fastens the vice to a suitable edge of the tying bench.

FUNCTIONHolds the tying position rigid and leaves the worktop free of a bulky base.

BENEFIT AT THE BENCHUseful when working on a permanent tying desk or pulling firmer thread wraps.

About varnish, epoxy and UV resin: 360° rotation and a ball joint help you apply and level coatings, but a manual vice is not a powered fly dryer. Slow-curing epoxy can still sag or drip if left stationary; use an appropriate drying wheel when required, and cure UV resin with the correct lamp.

PRACTICAL SET-UP HELP FROM TROUTCATCHERS

How to set up and adjust the Snowbee Fly-Mate ball joint

If you've chosen the 19065 Clamp Ball Joint or 19067 Pedestal Ball Joint, getting the head tension right makes all the difference. The joint should let you tilt the tying head to a comfortable angle while holding it steady when you pull on the thread. Here's the straightforward way we explain it to customers.

Find the right adjustmentRecognise each control by its position
A
Behind the silver rotary head

The round knurled knob at the back adjusts rotation of the hook. Leave this alone when setting the ball joint.

ROTARY
B
At the ball joint, just above the upright stem

Look for the small Allen locking screw in the lower collar and the larger adjustment collar (union nut) beneath the ball. These two parts set how easily the head tilts.

TILT
C
At the jaws holding the hook

The two separate knurled jaw knobs set the opening and then grip the hook. They do not adjust the ball joint.

GRIP
BALL-JOINT MODELS 19065 & 19067

Before you start: fit the vice securely to its clamp or pedestal and have the supplied Allen key handy. You only need to adjust the small screw and lower collar at the ball joint. No dismantling or lubrication is required.

  1. 1
    Hold the tying head steady

    Support the silver rotary head with one hand. Locate the small Allen screw on the collar immediately below the ball joint — not the screw on the rotary head itself.

  2. 2
    Release the small locking screw

    Use the supplied Allen key to loosen it a little. Do not remove it. This unlocks the larger adjusting collar so the ball-joint resistance can be changed.

  3. 3
    Turn the lower adjustment collar

    Keep the head supported and turn the larger collar beneath the ball. Clockwise makes the joint firmer; anticlockwise lets the head tilt more freely. Snowbee's instructions show the Allen key left in the small screw to help turn the collar. Make small adjustments.

  4. 4
    Lock the setting

    Re-tighten the small Allen screw. Move the tying head by hand to a comfortable angle. It should stay there, rather than dropping under its own weight.

  5. 5
    Try it with a hook and thread

    Secure a hook and apply your usual tying-thread tension. If the head dips, tighten the ball joint a little more. If adjusting the angle feels unnecessarily stiff, loosen the joint slightly. Always lock the small screw again after each adjustment.

The head droops when I tie

The ball joint needs a little more resistance. Loosen the small Allen lock screw, turn the lower collar slightly clockwise, then re-lock and test with thread.

The head is difficult to tilt

Release the locking screw and back the lower collar off a little anticlockwise. Re-lock it when the head holds position but remains easy to reposition deliberately.

Turning the hook feels stiff or too free

That's the separate rotary mechanism, not the ball joint. Loosen the small screw on the silver rotary head, adjust the round knob at the back (clockwise for more drag; anticlockwise for less), then secure that screw again.

Should I oil the ball joint?

No. Snowbee says the ball joint needs no lubrication. The main rotary shaft is a different mechanism, with separate maintenance instructions.

Our bench tip: Set the ball joint firm enough to withstand normal thread pressure, but not so tight that you cannot change the angle comfortably. You can then tilt the fly for access around small dry patterns or resin-coated buzzers, while still using the independent 360° rotary action.

WHAT IS IN THE BOX?

Supplied Fly-Mate accessories — and why they matter

All four Snowbee Fly-Mate configurations are listed with these useful extras. You don't need to buy a material spring or bobbin cradle again to start enjoying those benefits.

Material spring

Function: Its coils hold loose hackle tips, thread, wire or flash clear of the hook.

Benefit: Acts like an extra hand, leaving more room to finish tidy heads and bodies.

Bobbin cradle / rest

Function: Supports the bobbin holder and thread when you need them out of the tying area.

Benefit: Helpful for dubbing loops, weaving, checking the underside and rotating the hook.

Spare rubber O-ring

Function: An included spare O-ring for maintenance if the existing part eventually needs replacing.

Benefit: Gives a practical spare to hand rather than interrupting a tying session.

Allen key

Function: Allows the specified setup and adjustment operations using the supplied tool.

Benefit: Simple assembly and fine adjustments without a hunt through the toolbox.

Pictorial instructions & guarantee information

Function: Shows how to assemble and adjust the vice and use its fittings.

Benefit: Makes it easier to get the best out of the jaw, rotary and head controls.

The mounting supplied depends on the model: 19064/19065 have a C-clamp; 19066/19067 have a pedestal. These are four separate packages, not convertible combinations supplied with both bases.

REAL-WORLD FLY TYING

Choose a Fly-Mate for the flies you actually tie

Use your working style as the deciding factor. A simple vice with good jaw control can be the right choice for many patterns; extra movement becomes valuable for particular jobs.

Slim bodies, ribbing and UV resin

Stillwater buzzers

The standard rotary action helps inspect an even body. If you regularly shape wet resin, the ball joint allows careful tilting as well as rotation.

GOOD FITSnowbee 19067 · Pedestal Ball Joint

Frequent hook changes and neat, repeatable dressings

River wets, spiders and nymphs

A simple Fly-Mate works well: controlled clamping, full rotation for inspection and a material spring to hold back fibres.

GOOD FITSnowbee 19064 · Clamp

Wing placement, hackle access and delicate finishing

Tiny dry flies and parachutes

The extra tilt of a ball-joint head helps bring the fly towards your hands, without moving the whole desk-mounted vice.

GOOD FITSnowbee 19065 · Clamp Ball Joint

More material around the hook and tougher wire

Saltwater and larger streamers

Prioritise correct jaw adjustment and a rigid working position. The clamp models provide stability; check specific hook profiles and sizes on the individual listings rather than relying on a blanket size promise.

GOOD FITSnowbee 19064 · Clamp

Good light, comfortable height and no fixed workbench

Flexible tying space or shared table

A pedestal lets you reposition your vice freely. Choose the ball-joint version only if you also want multi-angle positioning of the head.

GOOD FITSnowbee 19066 · Pedestal

PRACTICAL EXTRAS

Useful tools to add — and what you already have

The material spring and bobbin cradle are already part of the Fly-Mate package. Beyond those, choose accessories for the work you actually do, rather than buying fittings twice.

FOR SMALL FLIES
Magnifier

Enlarges tiny hook details, making thread placement, rib spacing and neat finishing easier on small river flies or buzzers.

Explore vice accessories →
FOR BETTER VISIBILITY
Adjustable tying lamp

Brings light to the exact working area, helping distinguish fine thread and fibres and reducing shadows behind the hook.

Explore fly tying tools →
FOR FINISHING
Dedicated resin and epoxy drying

For slow-curing epoxy, a suitable drying wheel maintains movement after you remove the fly from the vice. A UV lamp cures compatible UV resins promptly.

Explore fly tying tools →
FOR THE NEW FLY TYER
Bobbin holder and tying tools

The included bobbin cradle supports your thread holder; it is not itself a thread-carrying bobbin holder. A separate bobbin holder, scissors and finishing tools are useful everyday essentials.

Explore essential tools →

QUESTIONS WE GET FROM FLY TYERS

Snowbee fly tying vice frequently asked questions

Practical answers to the most common Fly-Mate questions, including initial ball-joint setup, tension adjustments, jaws, supplied extras and which model to choose.

Do all four Snowbee Fly-Mate vices rotate through 360°?

Yes. Snowbee describes a rotational facility on the cranked jaw shaft across the four models. The ball-joint versions add a separate angle adjustment; they are not the only rotary models.

Is the Snowbee Fly-Mate an in-line rotary vice?

The cranked jaw design is intended to let a correctly positioned hook shank rotate along its axis. As with any such arrangement, setup and hook positioning matter. We avoid describing it as a precision indexed rotary system.

What exactly does the ball joint add?

On models 19065 and 19067, the ball joint lets you tilt the tying head independently of the 360° rotary shaft. Set the holding resistance using the small locking screw and larger collar just below the ball. Our setup guide explains which controls to use.

How do I set up the Snowbee Fly-Mate ball joint for the first time?

Clamp or stand the vice securely, then look just below the ball joint for the small Allen locking screw and the larger collar. Loosen the screw, turn the collar clockwise for more holding tension or anticlockwise for less, and re-tighten the screw. Test with a hook and normal tying-thread pressure. Our visual control-finder and five-step setup guide walks you through it.

How do I stop the Fly-Mate ball-joint head from drooping?

The ball joint is set too freely. Hold the silver head, loosen the small Allen locking screw at the lower ball-joint collar, turn the larger collar a little clockwise and re-tighten the screw. Check it holds when you pull on the tying thread. See our adjustment guide.

How do I loosen a Snowbee Fly-Mate ball joint that feels too stiff?

Loosen the small locking screw on the collar just below the ball, turn the larger lower collar slightly anticlockwise and secure the screw again. The goal is a head that moves easily by hand but stays in position while tying. Do not lubricate the ball joint.

Which adjustment controls the ball joint and which controls rotary tension?

The small locking screw and larger collar immediately below the ball control head tilt. The round knurled knob at the rear of the silver horizontal head controls 360° rotation. The two jaw knobs adjust hook grip. Our control-finder shows how to tell them apart.

Does the Snowbee Fly-Mate ball joint need lubricating?

No. Snowbee states that the ball joint itself needs no lubrication. If the main rotary shaft becomes stiff or uneven, the instructions separately describe lubricating its shaft and rubber O-rings with a drop of light machine oil or silicone oil during maintenance.

How do I adjust the Snowbee Fly-Mate rotary-head tension?

On the silver rotating head, loosen its small retaining screw with the supplied Allen key. Turn the round knob at the rear clockwise to increase rotary resistance or anticlockwise to reduce it, then re-tighten the retaining screw. This is independent of ball-joint tension.

Which Snowbee vice is best for beginners?

If you have a suitable fixed desk, the 19064 Clamp is an excellent straightforward starting point. If you want to move the vice around a table, choose the 19066 Pedestal.

Is a pedestal better than a C-clamp?

Neither is automatically better. A pedestal is easy to move and needs no clamp edge; a C-clamp keeps the vice fixed and the tabletop clear. Choose according to your work surface and tying habits.

Which Snowbee Fly-Mate should I choose if I want to tilt the head?

Choose the 19065 Clamp Ball Joint for a fixed bench, or the 19067 Pedestal Ball Joint for a movable, free-standing vice. Both combine 360° rotary action with a separately adjustable tilt. The standard models rotate through 360° too, but do not have the ball-joint movement.

Will 360° rotation stop epoxy or varnish dripping?

It helps you guide and check a wet coating, but does not guarantee a drip-free finish. Slow-setting epoxy may need a dedicated drying wheel; UV resin needs appropriate light curing.

Why are there two knurled knobs for the jaws?

They provide separate control of jaw opening and clamping. Set the opening to suit the hook wire and then tighten the grip, rather than forcing the hook between closed jaws.

Do Snowbee Fly-Mate vices include three interchangeable jaws?

No three-jaw kit is listed as part of the Fly-Mate package. Instead, these models use hardened jaws with a two-knob parallel clamping arrangement. This differs from some Stonfo systems.

What hook sizes will Snowbee Fly-Mate jaws hold?

Our Snowbee Fly-Mate listings specify hooks from size 24 through to 8/0, giving plenty of scope for fine dry flies, everyday trout patterns and substantial streamers. Set the jaw opening to suit the hook-wire diameter with the first knurled knob, then secure the hook with the second. The two-knob system is particularly useful when changing between fine and heavier-gauge hooks.

What is supplied with each Fly-Mate vice?

Alongside the relevant clamp or pedestal, troutcatchers lists a material spring, bobbin cradle, spare rubber O-ring, Allen key, pictorial setup instructions and guarantee information.

What guarantee comes with a Snowbee Fly-Mate vice?

Snowbee’s instruction leaflet provides a 12-month guarantee against manufacturing or material defects, plus a five-year guarantee on the hardened steel jaws. That longer jaw guarantee is a reassuring feature for a vice used regularly across a wide range of hook sizes.

Which model is best for small dry flies?

The 19065 Clamp Ball Joint and 19067 Pedestal Ball Joint offer extra head-angle access around tiny wings and hackle. A standard model can still tie excellent small flies.

Can a Fly-Mate handle saltwater flies?

The adjustable hardened jaws and rotary movement are useful for streamer and saltwater work, provided the chosen hook can be held securely. Very large, heavy-wire hooks should be checked individually rather than assuming a particular maximum size.

Does the ball joint rotate continuously while tying?

There are two different movements. The main shaft rotates the hook through 360°; the ball joint is adjusted to tilt or reposition the head. It is not a motorised or powered rotation feature.

STRAIGHTFORWARD HELP FROM TROUTCATCHERS

Still deciding? We’ll help you choose.

Tell us which flies you tie most often, whether your worktop has a suitable clamp edge, and whether you expect to use resin or need extra head movement. We can help you choose the Snowbee Fly-Mate that fits how you work — without pushing unnecessary features.

Call 01933 388281 ↗Email troutcatchers ↗Browse Snowbee vices ↗
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The right vice makes tying more comfortable. The right features depend on your own patterns and bench.

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