Homemade fly-tying tools!

Some of the tools we need to tie flies are better bought, like a whip finisher (I haven't learned to whip finish by hand) or a bobbin.

However, my bodkin, bobbin threader, thingamajigger that twists a dubbing loop, and my dubbing brush are all hand-made.

For my bodkin, I went to Micheal's and bought a package of large needles from the quilting section. I went over to the candy-making / baking department and bought a package of extra-large lollipop sticks. I cut about 2" off the end of the 8" lollipop stick. There is a small hole at the very center where the paper starts to get rolled up. I just stuck the needle down there, pulled it out, put some glue on it, and shoved it back in. Once it set, I was ready to go.

My bobbin threader is nothing but a length of 8 lbs test mono, pulled into a loop, then furled (twisted) for a couple inches. I took the doubled mono and tied an overhand knot in it to secure the furling. I just insert the loose ends into the bobbin until it hits the knot, poke the thread through the loop, then grasp the loose ends and pull it out, bringing the thread with it.

The "thingamajigger" is just a spare knob for a kitchen cabinet. I cut a wire hanger, bent it into a "U" shape, then turned it sideways and bent the loop of the "U" at about a 160 degree angle to the long axis of the wire, forming a "tab" of sorts. Finally, I bent the loose ends of the wire together, put some glue into the screw hole for the knob, and stuck the wire in there until it set.

My dubbing brush is extremely simple. I bought a pack of craft sticks (popsicle sticks), and some plain velcro. I cut a section of the "sticky" velcro to shape, and glued it to the end of a craft stick. I can use that as a brush for dubbing after I dub a fly.

Anyone else have some homemade tools?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Vince Fusco on December 1, 2012 at 6:44pm

I don't have any homemade tools. All I really have is a threader, a bobbin, and a whip finishing tool, which I have yet to master. Your homemade tools seem to work well. I may make a dubbing brush like yours. I like the thought and satisfaction of using things I built. My next project is gonna be some rod holders for my little Bass Hunter boat. Trying to hold two poles yesterday, and run my tiller handle trolling motor yesterday proved to be a challenge.

Permalink Reply by jim cosgrove on December 2, 2012 at 1:28pm

the best bodkin i ever came up with is a pin vise.i have a couple different types .the advantage to these is you can easily replace the needle and use differet sizes or tiny drill bits to hand drill tiny holes.as soon as i get a new camera i will put some pics up

Permalink Reply by Rick King on December 2, 2012 at 2:12pm

hehe - My dubbing brush is my old hearing aid brush and a piece of velcro on a strip of balsa wood.

Permalink Reply by jim cosgrove on December 5, 2012 at 12:50pm

yeah rick the velcro works great as a dubbing brush.antone ever make a dubbing brush twister?i remember seeing an article about making one.to premake bodies using wire instead of a thread loop

Permalink Reply by Allen Morgan on December 3, 2012 at 5:30pm

I remember reading about a tool you could put together to cut zonker strips. It involves a long bolt, some washers for spacers, and razor blades that have a hole in them. You alternate washers with razors, however many you want, on the bolt. Keep it all together with a lock-nut. Then you just run the pelt through it, similar to a paper-shredder, to cut the zonker strips.

I got some stuff together to assemble one. I'm mainly interested in cutting some plastic strips for use as shellback material for scuds, but the possibility of cutting my own zonker strips is there as well.

Permalink Reply by Rick King on December 3, 2012 at 5:38pm

Here is a link to what you were talking about - cutting you own zonker strips....... enjoy

http://globalflyfisher.com/tiebetter/zonkers/cutting.php

Permalink Reply by Allen Morgan on December 7, 2012 at 6:22pm

Thanks! I hadn't thought to look for a video. Obviously, I need another bolt and nut. And, I was wondering how I was going to actually cut the things without slicing my hands all to heck.

Permalink Reply by Joe Breig on December 7, 2012 at 7:24pm

I whip finish by hand because I can't seem to use a tool. My vise pedestal base is an old, large wood cutting board with a nutplate in it. The upright is a piece of broom handle with a lag bolt in one end that screws into the nutplate and a hole in the other to accept the stem of the vise. It is slightly small to restrict unwanted movement. I also use a piece of heavy mono as a bobbin threader. My wifes used insulin syrenges make good applicators for head cement and other liquids. If one caps them the contents wil stay usable for a long time.

Permalink Reply by DAVID L EITUTIS on December 12, 2012 at 5:02pm

Great tips on tools Allen!!!!!! American ingenuity strikes again!!!!! Your dubbing brush is simple I"m sure but effective. I use a new gun cleaning brush , the military kind with small stiff bristles on one end and the larger longer ones on the other end. Works really good on dubbed Marabou , which I use a lot of for some of Sir Jeffrey's bugs. For a bobbin threader I use just the plain old floss threader and works great. Got a 6 pack of em when I first started tying long ago and still have 4 of the original 6. They will for sure last longer than me!!!!

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