Tenkara Forum

[dwalker]

You want to start tying flies but you have more time than money. You’re not to keen on tying flies by holding the hook with your fingers. What are the alternatives?

If you’re not a D_I_Y type of guy there’s probably nothing to do but to become frugal and save your money till you have enough to purchase ready made tying tools.

However, some people with the D_I_Y spirit have come up with ways to make their own tying tools. Maybe not as convenient to use as refined manufactured tools. However, if you have more time than money. Here are a few ideas.

The basic materials needed are : heavy electricians pliers , rubber bands, #14 ( 2mm) wire, some lighter wire , two bolts and acorn nuts, and a couple of old ball point pens.

Here’s the Japanese web site where I found these ideas. Click on the web page link to see more details.

Starting with a substitute for a vise

Heavy pliers and rubber band vise – if you already own pliers like these maybe worth a try. If you don’t own pliers like these , buying a pair would probably cost as much as a low end vise.

http://tenkara1.web.fc2.com/page4-7.html



Thread /bobbin holder– made from #14 wire , a tube from a ball point pen. Two bolts and acorn nuts and some lighter #30 wire.

http://tenkara1.web.fc2.com/page4-1.html

Version 2, more details on the web page above.


Hackle pliers – this was his idea, one of those holdable binder paper clips. To which he attaches a bit of string to make a finger loop, which is shown better on a separate web site.

http://tenkara1.web.fc2.com/page4-3.html



But I think there are better alternatives, ( Mini hook test clips from Radio Shack) These are actually sold as hackle pliers with a nice wire loop to hook your finger in. However, if you order one the postage would probably be more than the price of the tool. Or you can buy the mini hooks at your local electronics store and make the wire loop from left over wire used to make the bobbin holder. Click the links below to see versions sold as fly tying tools.

http://www.flyshack.com/DisplayItem.aspx?ItemID=23400&src=froogle&gclid=CJjhyOnhuLECFQhN4AodI2EAHg

http://www.feather-craft.com/wecs.php?store=feacraft&action=display&target=RS002

Funny, but the second link above says the pliers with the wire finger loop, shown on the first link, is junk. Still the finger loop would be easy enough to make. The folks at warmwatrflytyer do speak highly of the feather-craft product, scroll down about halfway to see the Unique Hackle Pliers entry, I couldn't link to it directly.

http://www.warmwaterflytyer.com/bench.asp?page=9

And there are multiple uses for the mini hooks ; with some added wood work you can make a nice display stand to hold the kebari while you take a photo of your creation to post them to the forum.
More display stands shown on the below web page.

http://flyartstudio.com/wordpress/?p=107



Half hitch tool – an opportunity to use the body of the ball point pen. I have to admit that though I own a half hitch tool and have one built into the end of my wipe finisher I never use it and just tie half hitches by hand.

http://tenkara1.web.fc2.com/page4-4.html



Whip finisher. Use the rest of the wire used to make the bobbin holder and the rest of your ballpoint pen tube.

http://tenkara1.web.fc2.com/page4-6.html

More details on the web page above.


There are other tools listed on the web page; hair stacker and a dubbing tool. Just click on the other links on the page. I didn’t link them here because these are the essential tools for tying the basic tenkara kebari.

fwiw - maybe useful - maybe not for those on a tight budget. Even if the tools aren't of interest the kebari display stands are pretty cool.

D

[dwalker]

Making bobbin holders for fly tying thread - from Paul Adams on youtube.

Paul uses spinner wire, available in fixed lengths from lure shops, a tube from plastic cotton tip, some thread ( he uses embroidery thread) , and super glue, and craft beads. About 10 minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYZhsRJ4amM

A package of 25 , 6 inch long , 0.040 inch spinner wire is about $3.80 from luremaking.com. If you're on a budget or just like to make things, it ought to be fairly inexpensive to make several bobbin holders. Maybe the wire is available from your local tackle shop that carries lure making materials. I had never heard of spinner wire before, but I've never made homemade lures before and had no reason to be aware of the materials used. Just one example source for the wire.

http://www.luremaking.com/catalogue/catalogue-index/catalogue-items/wire_shafts.htm





D

[jdchaussee]

Very cool and interesting post dwalker! Thank you for posting this

[Curtis C]

I meant to post a reply here but ended up with a new thread. maybe the modes can move it here as a post and delete my thread.

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=3749

[adventureR]

Many tools I've found easy to make and do without. But those you found D look just as good as the ones in the fly shops. I always like the homemade stuff myself. The first ten or so flies I tied were with just my fingers and a pair of sissors. I guess simple can be applied to fly tying as well. I don't think the fish know the difference, unless they can see you from the fish tank.

Kuhlow's exacto knife handle travel vise is probably the best DIY tying tool I've tried so far.

[achilles38]

I am going to start tying flies, didn't have the money for the tools, so it was DIY time. Here's my addition to the ones listed here. Homemade vise is pliers with rubber bands holding it tight.

I had some leftover copper wire, kids beads, que tip piece, and thread. took about 5 min to get it done and works great

[adventureR]

Looks good Jeremy, here's mine. Coat hanger, super glue, cable swedge, and broken bit of Yamame rod section. I've thought of making this for a while. Thanks for the inspiration Brother.

[dwalker]

This DIY made bobbin holder comes close to looking factory made.

自作 ボビンホルダー , Self-made bobbin holder. 2:53 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zoEe6URUrI


D

[Faqeer1]

and broken bit of Yamame rod section. I've thought of making this for a while. Thanks for the inspiration Brother.????

[Bobc]

For a vise try " The Curtiss Creek Manifesto" a book all should own.