First time Vise

[Solid]

I'm sure this is not the first time someone has asked this, but I have an idea what I want, and want to see what the experts have to say. I am planning on getting a vise, I plan on tying Salt water flies, Warm water flies for Bass Pike ect. Streamers that sort of thing. I am planning on getting a Renzetti Salt water traveler. What other options do I have? Anyone have experience with this vise? Or have another vise that might work better? Thanks in advance!

[GOLDNDEMON]

After 26 years of tying flies not only for myself but for customers both private and commercial I'm hooked on the Regal Vise. Nothing against the Renzetti, I'm just a Regal fan.

[Owl's Roost]

I'm with GOLDENDEMON. Holds a hook well and it's a good company to deal with if you get a break down. They are in Mass.

[truiteman]

Started with a black cast iron Thompson and then graduated to a Thompson clone of the Regal(?). Then I won a Regal at a TU Banquet and I have never looked back.

JMHO

Steve

[Steamtrain]

before the renzetti people wake up, i'll add another regal

true rotary was a fad :roll:

regal c clamp for me

[photofly]

I just recently started tying myself and I started with the Renzetti Cam Traveler. So far I love it. Yes the "Renzetti people have awoken" or something like that.

[petegas]

huge fan of the Dan Vise
http://www.thebookmailer.com/Supplies/Danvise/body_danvise.html

[Steamtrain]

huge fan of the Dan Vise
http://www.thebookmailer.com/Supplies/Danvise/body_danvise.html

wow
the price went down $5 from when i last looked
i'll have to give it a spin next tying session

these links might help
http://www.flyfisherman.com/ftb/hwvise/index29.html

http://www.flyfisherman.com/ftb/hwvise/index.html

[Mountain Angler]

The Regal is indeed a good vice, well made and simple to use. I have been a HMH fan for years and that is what I am currently using. The Renzetti vice you are looking at is very popular, but for the money I think that there are better made rotary vices on the market. If you insist on Renzetti spend the extra money and move up to the Presentation 2000. Personally I have never found a rotary to be of much use. It is important that you be able to rotate the head of the vice so that you can look at all sides of the fly when tying. The ability to spin the fly while tying means little to me. However, I am an old dog and it is hard to learn new tricks. I do know pros who insist that it is faster to tie with a true rotary. The Traveler is made from aluminum and in my estimation not that well machined. If you must have a true rotary vice take a look at the Dyna-King Barracuda Jr. It is all steel with ball bearings and will cost you about $25 more than the Traveler. My other suggestion would be to try an HMH Spartan. The Spartan comes in at $159; however it is not a true rotary vice. Good luck and choose wisely grasshopper.

[Hegel]

This one seems great. However I've never tied a fly in my life... now I am beginning to think that I am really missing out on something

http://www.eflytyer.com/Images/Regal/clamp.gif

Now, I want one. But first I need to convince my wife that I *need* one.

-Hegel-

[mer]

For your stated purpose, my opinion (take it for what it cost you) is for the Regal. Get the C-Clamp model it will be more stable for the bigger flies you'll be tying.

Me, I like my HMH, used a Regal for while, but the HMH fits me better. I had a co-worker make up a new base for it: basically a 6x6x1.25 chunk of steel with the frustrum shaped support for the upright. He does some machine stuff at home and I swapped him a nice hunk of walnut for it. In a pinch it would work well as a canoe anchor, so it's pretty stable.

Two things about the Regal: the "auto adjustment" for hook size is very nice. The fact that with small hooks you get the jaws to chip if you're not careful is not nice, but that's user error.

Started with a Griffin 2A. Only three vises ever used, I don't buy the true rotary for the style of tying I do.

[Adam L.]

Has anyone ever tried one of the cheap regal knockoffs? I have seen many at half the price.

[Grayghost 6]

I must agree with Mountain Angler with the choice of the HMH Sparten over the Renzetti Traveler. I went to the Marlboro show a few years back to find an upgrade of vise. I still have my Thompson A, and tie on it sometimes. It's my travel vise on camping trips.

I found the Sparten to be a better built tool. I still think so, and haven't regretted not buying a "true" rotary.

I've never tried a Regal, but that sounds like a good choice too. Probably great for the larger flies.

[GOLDNDEMON]

Adam L.



Joined: 15 Jan 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Claremont
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 7:30 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Has anyone ever tried one of the cheap regal knockoffs? I have seen many at half the price.

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The word from other tyers is that the copies don't last long if you tye a lot of flies. Just out of the box the are a good deal because they do hold a hook well. I have never had one though.
As for the base on my Regal I have the heavy brass base and I put some of that rubberized shelf liner under it to keep it from sliding. Not even a bait dunker chasing a stocking truck could move it.

[lowwall]

I Have the renzeti Salwater Traveler. I travel with mine all the time, packs away nice and is very lite. I tie nymps's to SZ 18 to Streamers to 10"! on it. I Have the Base and Clamp for it. Use the C Clamp at home. Great vise. I do use the rotary feature all the time. My fist Vice was the thompson 1A. Still Have it. I have been thinking about getting another vice for smaller flies but have so far been just buying them.

My Budy Rob ties with a Regal Knock off, He likes it but has'nt had it very long and doesn't tie to much.

You can live without the rotary for sure.

Hit the THUR mountain road tying secsion or a UFT meeting if you wan to really see what is out there.

The nice thing with the premium vices parts are availible, vice should last you forever.

Mike

[jhicks]

For my money the HMH spartan is great. I have tied flies from 3/0 (Steelhead) down to 22 (nymphs) on it. I have used the factory jaws for all aplications and they work great. The midge jaws will be my next purchase although the regular ones work fine on size 22 scud hooks, just a little more combersome. Another good thing about this vise is that I use it as a true rotary vise all the time and it works pretty damn good.

Oh yeah and the HMH will not die on you ever. It is all steel. I have used the renzetti and let me tell you it sucks to have the rubber band break on you in the middle of a steelheading trip on the Olympic Penninsula. My friend James got to watch me tie the rest of the week while he had a useless piece. That is exactly why I chose the HMH.

I have used the Danvise, as a matter of fact it was my second vise I ever owned. I used it for three seasons and liked it. The jaws on it wear out pretty quick though. The metal they are made with is softer than other vises. Of course this would not be a problem if you aren't tying 3/0 steelheading flies.

[Solid]

Hey, thanks for all the great advise. I think that you have changed my mind on this subject.
I have narrowed the choice down to either the HMH Spartan, or the Regal. I believe that I am leaning towards the Spartan for a few reasons.

1. I will probably get the vise with the standard omni jaw, but I will have the option of getting the micro, or magnum jaws at a cost of around $40. Regal jaws are very expensive compared to the HMH jaws.

2. I have the option to get the HMH vise in either C-clamp or pedestal base for the same cost. The regal vise with pedestal base is an extra $85!

3. I know everyone who uses the Regal has said that they love it and it works great, and I believe it. I just feel more comfortable with the jaw mechanism on the HMH.

So, last option is whether or not to get a pedestal base, or a C-clamp mount. I just can't decide. I can see the C-clamp being a rock solid connection, but what if the desk lacks the edge to make the connection? I like the idea that with the pedestal base, you could use it anywhere anytime. What do you all think??

Thanks again for all the advise......

[GOLDNDEMON]

You said it....pedestal base anywhere any time.

[fessiewig]

If it were me I'd choose the pedestal base. I've been tying for a very long time using the pedestal base and haven't had it fail me. Of course, I only tie trout flies and a few streamers for Land Locks.

[Solid]

Sweet, thanks again everyone. Now, I just have to learn to use it....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/megabass5150/Vise.jpg

[Steamtrain]

Congrats Solid!!!!
enjoy the new vise

[lowwall]

Nice vice man!

I know what my next one will be if the Renzetti breaks down. Going to pick up a couple of those bands for sure.

MIke

[jhicks]

Solid,

First off welcome to the sickness that is HMH. I love my vise and will never own another brand. Now to the use of your vise. To use it as a rotary vise adjust the head like this.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r97/jhicks_2007/Rotaryuse.jpg

I leave my vise in that configuration all the time now. I have found that it makes life much simpler that way. Here is a good example of using the vise like this. This is my "monkey fly" as it was named by my friend James. I came up with this for PNW winter steelhead. Tying this tube really is a lot easier if you can rotate your head around.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r97/jhicks_2007/Intruderwithjunglecock2.jpg

[mer]

Last person I saw rotate their head around was Linda Blair in the Exorcist.

:lol:

[overmywaders]

Perhaps you knowledgeable folks can help me. I used a Thompson Model "A"
from 1962 until perhaps 1977 when a young lad needed a vise and I was not tieing. Then I got one of the Indian knockoffs of the Thompson and used that; though the jaws chipped easily.

However, last year I bought a box of fly-tying materials on ebay and in the bottom were many nice bobbins, Dr. Slick scissors, and the vise below:
http://www.overmywaders.com/newvise.jpg

I love this thing! It holds many different sizes of hooks without adjustment; always tight, no chipping. It's probably some Indian knockoff -- does anyone know this vise?

[Steamtrain]

looks like an old griffin

http://www.griffinenterprisesinc.com/vises.html

[overmywaders]

Steam,

I think you're right. It looks like an ancestor of the Patriot. Thanks, I was worried about parts availability. Actually, this is built like a brick sh*thouse. Slicker than deer guts on a pump handle.

[Rick]

In regards to the HMH...how exactly do you put the hook in?

I have a cheap (starter vise) that is just an absolute bear to adjust.

Minimum 2 hand procedure for me...and god help me if I don't adjust it perfectly and the hook moves...I might as well start over tying the fly. :x

[dcdube]

Overmywaders

I agree with Steam that it's a griffin. I have one of their newer models and the jaws of the vise look identical.

[Steamtrain]

the griffins are great vises, i have or had one just don't know where it is


In regards to the HMH...how exactly do you put the hook in?

I have a cheap (starter vise) that is just an absolute bear to adjust.

Minimum 2 hand procedure for me...and god help me if I don't adjust it perfectly and the hook moves...I might as well start over tying the fly. :x

hey rick
all vises take a minimum 2 hands, one to hold the hook and one to close the jaws
any pics of this vise? is it a thompson or thompson knockoff?

[Rick]

Steamtrain- I was not referring so much as to the holding of the hook and securing of the clamp.

I was more concerned about the adjustment of the jaws to the hook prior to clamping the hook in. My vise takes 2 hands to do this because one screw works into the other through the neck of the vise and it is also what hold the whole assembly to the neck. If you look at the picture below the jaws are adjusted from the back behind the neck of the vise.

Is there something in the HMH that keeps this from happening? I noticed there are 2 hand screw adjustments behind the neck mounting position.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/rmannion36/cheapvise.jpg

[jhicks]

Rick if the hook moves on you it is one of two things. Either the vise isn't properly adjusted or the jaws on the vise aren't good enough. When properly adjusted a good vise will hold anything. I can spin 2/0 deerhair poppers with 3/0 thread and not move the hook.

Now if you don't have the money to get another vise try giving your vises jaws a little more purchase on the hook bend.

Here is how you usually put the hook into the vise...

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r97/jhicks_2007/usual.jpg


Here is how you can overcome a severe case of poor jaw hold...

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r97/jhicks_2007/poorvise.jpg

[Steamtrain]

Rick
it has been a real long time since i've used a lever style vise like yours(it is a thompson knockoff). this is probably the style vise that the over seas tying farms use, just a guess. i had the same issues while using the vise. adjust the vise tie a fly, parts spinning and turning, adjust again. very frustrating. the hmh vise pictured above shouldn't have the same problems.

hopefully some one who has this type of vise or some time on this type of vise can help us out.

good luck
mike

[Rick]

Thanks for the help guys.

I can get the hook to hold usually..but it is real frustrating to deal with.

I was asking about the HMH more cause I may be in the market for a new vise soon and I like this one.