Homemade tools.

[palindromic_bob]

Just wondering how many here have made tools themselves to assist in the wonder that is fly tying or as i like to explain to my my grilfriend "airfix for fishermen".

I made a few needles using some wooden dowel and dress making pins. I found they helped me learn how to whip finish.

Also made a velcro dubbing brush using the same dowel. Being round it is handy as it can be rolled or brushed over the dubbing and is a little easier to handle than the lolly stick alternative I used for inspiration.

I will try and get some pics later but in the meantime anyone got any handy "freebies" to show?

EDIT: What about anything you find about the house that is useful. Materials, tools etc.

[vader_juul]

Well, I try to keep my costs always as cheap as possible, like for example, i use copper wre found in electricity cables for ribbing, i use plastic bags in stead of nymph skin, when i see a goose, i'll strip it naked :-) (just plumes i find laying around, i'll take them home) but ofcourse you can't leave some things behind like good skins etc...

At home, i made a holder for my tools out of old wood laying around, drilled some holes in it en now it can hold everything from tools I have.
From the same wood, and small wooden dowels I made myself a holder foro my tinsels and threat.
My Marc petit jean tools is made myself, with one large paperclip (don't know how they exactly call it) and some old foam.
I made a dubbing spinner thingy out of an old rondel (from my old skates, which sits inside te wheel to keep it spinning)
I my made own bobbin threater from a wire and e dowel.

Can't think of anything else, but I think this is going to be a great post!!
I'm curious what the others have made.
Thomas

[Mrtrout]

A quick and easy one is to use the eye on a safety pin to keep the hackles back when you apply a whip finish.
Not my idea, but a good tip.
S.

[emerger1981]

dubbin bobbins gotta be the easiest.
get a old photo film pot fill it with pennys to suit the weight required
stick 2 bent pins or nails in the top, done! you can use a cork aswell, either wrap wire round for weight or stick some heavy nails in underneath
an empty biro tube makes a good half hitch.
the (paper clip) is a good one usualy known as a bulldog clip
try and get the kiddie ones there translucent, spot on for the job and dont cost £20+
also kinder egg pots for your beads, no spliting DAMN SEALER BAGS!!
just dont leave the lid off when you put it down

[Mrtrout]

Remember cassettes, well the tape makes good shellbacks.
S.

[wrongfoot]

1. Needle whipped to dowel for applying head cement,
2. Carefully bent hacksaw blade whipped to dowel as a dubbing rake,
3. Various designs of dubbing loop spinner,
4. Booby tube cutters from telescopic radio antennae,
5. Hackle guard from safety pin,
6. Bulldog clips,
7. Tool caddy cut and drilled from waste timber,
8. Materials bin (to fasten/hang under vice) from old tupperware container
   
9. Hope to make my own gallows tool in time (although I'm not rushed since I like foam post klinks and parachutes or post less mono loop patterns).

[vader_juul]

I got anothger one: To make an easy elektrical and cheap dubbing twister: Get a cheap nose trimmer from a shop in your neighbourhood, adjust it a littlebit and you have a great homemade tool!

[Chris Reeves]

You'd look really silly with a trimmed nose!

I use Velcro stuck to lolly sticks for a dubbing brush,

Darning needles with large beads on for varnishing flies (and old hatpins from charity shops)

Waitrose used to sell little seafood cocktails in plastic dishes. Those are great for hooks,

I also use the egg holder out of an old fridge for my brass beads while tying, it holds six different sizes and doesn't fall over.

Cheers

[troutling]

Hi

I use Gallows for parachute hackles made out of 7KW twin and earth copper wire.

Get a length on the bare earth wire and wrap it around the column of your fly vice as a spring.

After about 8 turns curve it in a wide arc over the top of your vice.

Then make a tight circle at the end.

Attach a thin wire thread to a hook with the point broken off about 2.5" long. And the other end to the circle in the end of the 7Kw copper.

All you do is slide the coil part onto the post of your vice when you want to tie paras.

It can be bent to increase or decrease the tension

It works a treat.

Simpules

[emerger1981]

is this post about (TOOLS) or materials