I also prefer that thinner tube and finer barrel of these TMC's. I have a few of them and I typically tie #18's to #22's for my little spring creek guys.
Nice tool!
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YEA !!! go with all ceramics for the thread bobins and ust your all metal ones fer wire... when me first bobin started freyin thread i bought a ceramic which wasnt but about 2$ more than a all metal one, then i got more ceramic bobins... i just use the cheap metal ones i started out tying with for wire which works just fine fer that...
If you can find some small glass beads you can epoxy the bead to the tip of your bobbin. Instant ceramic bobbin!
I was once told that you could polish the inside of your bobbin using Kevlar thread, I have never used it but it make since, the stuff won't break and will groove a bobbin. Might be worth a try. also good for spinning hair and flies for big toothy critters.
Eric
Once a bobbin becomes a "bad boy" and starts cutting thread on a regular basis, switch them over to hold fine wire, oval tinsel or lead. Bobbins are cheap enough, even for me, that I just order a couple of new one with a ceramic tip. Most of my plain metal tube bobbins have become wire holders over the years. 8T :)
I appreciate all the responses received. 3 bobbins just changed job title from thread to wire duty. Ordered new Tiemco ceramic bobbins. I love new STUFF! PRM
I bought a $45 TMC bobbin last year and it fits nicely in my hand and is wonderful to work with - this bobbin however will only work without snapping the thread on Big Fly thread. It is a metal tube - I bought a ceramic tube one, and the bobbin itself is too long for my hand; I then spotted a smaller ceramic tubed bobbin that works well and is shorter ( but still a little long for my hand) for only $15.
So, yes my vote is for the ceramic tubes.
Jeanne
My daily use bobbins are all metal. I have a Tiemco ceramic, but it stays loaded with black 8/0 only since it's a pain to thread once it gets wax build-up. I can switch threads on my metal tube bobbins in seconds just sucking the thread through;-) I have gotten a few cheaper metal bobbins that broke thread over the years....they in turn became utility/material bobbins. But in the end, they most often don't give me problems. Ut may be that I'm just too stubborn and cheap tobuy ceramic though. :)
I second everyone who has mentioned the Tiemco bobbins. I've tyed with the same one for about eight years now with no problems at all. That bobbin has literally tied thousands and thousands of flies. I prefer the "curved" model as the thread comes off the spool "inline".
If you're looking to go ceramic, I don't think you could go wrong with the Tiemco.
After finally getting a real good chance to look it over, I believe the bobbin holder I have is a Tiemco. The little rubber grip lasted about a week before I got tired of sliding it back down over the junction. Even Goop wouldn't hold it in place.
I like the tool, but when I tie flies less than about size 16, I have to swap to my griffin metal tube to reach up in the gape. I guess if I wasn't such a cheep SOB, I could probably find one with a smaller OD tip.
Until I start feeling rich, I'll just keep doin' what I'm doin'.
Kirk