I had a Regal for years and did experience the same problems you have been having. I saved the vice to pass on to a beginning tier, who has used it for another 15 years...but she is tying mostly bass bugs so no flying hooks for her.

You said you were thinking of a rotary vise. Recommend you do so. I won't advise of make or model except to say that I tie on both a Dyna King Barracuda and a Nor Vise...both are amazing and completely different. I haven't any real favorites. Renzetti is another well made vise. The advantages to having a rotary, once you learn to tie on it and utilize all the favorable things it can do for you, you will never go back. There's a lot of hype but see if you can try one out and then make a decision on what suits you best. What's great for me may be the pits for you.........nuff said.