I purchased a new HMH standard vise around six years ago and like some of the the qualities to the vise except that I am always readjusting the back set screw on the vise. The locking down movement on the vise also requrires so much effort. It seems that I am always fine tuning this vise. Was wondering if other forum members had the same problem and have they changed their design on their standard vises over the last few years. Dyna King Professional vises are my favorite but I would like to use my HMH more often but resetting the back screw is so time consuming. This process in always happening even when I am using the same size hooks. It seems that I am always readjusting the back screw per pattern.
Have other forum members had problems with the Maine built HMH vises
That being said. There is no reason to use a vise that you find in any way bothersome, quirky, or difficult to ENJOY while you use it.
Good vises are not that expensive. If it’s giving you ANY trouble, call the manufacturer, explain your problem, and EXPECT them to come up with a reasonable ‘fix’. You may be asked to pay for any change/upgrade/repair, it is six years old, but perhaps not (I’d be surprised if they don’t correct the problem post haste and at their expense). At this point you can decide whether to do so or get another vise.
I’ve had my DynaKing vise for a decade now. I’m hard on it, and it’s NEVER failed to work as expected. All the ‘adjustments’ are still as positive and crisp as the day it arrived. If it ever fails to perform I’ll expect DynaKing to fix it (I’ll pay for it, but I’ll expect it to be ‘fixable’, and fixed quickly).
EVERY vise should work properly for at least one person’s lifetime (mine should still serve my grandkids, given it’s performance so far). As fly tyers we should DEMAND that level of quality and scream like the devil if it’s not delivered.
We don’t want fly tying vises to join the ranks of the ‘dispoasble’ products like toasters and computer printers…
I’m confused because that doesn’t sound like an HMH vise. There is no “back screw” on the HMH. There is a cam rod adjustment knob that is adjusted each time you change a hook size, (a quick, one handed operation before locking the cam), and a rotation tension knob that can be locked in position or adjusted as needed while tying if rotation is desired.
Caddisman Thanks for the assistence. The video was very helpful. I always tie with my scissors in my hand which makes it hard to used that pistol grip thing but I will find a way to make it work. You are right about staff at HMH. They are great to deal with and of coarse they make a great product. The adjusting knob I was taking about was the adjusting screw at the very end of the stem. Great vise any way you look at it.