Turbo Dubbing Brush

Jim Smith, of Conyers Georgia, sent me a "Turbo Dubbing Brush" jig. I have been interested in these Dubbing Brush/Boards, since reading about their use, in "The Fly Tier's Benchside Reference to Techniques and Dressing Styles" by Ted Leeson & Jim Schollmeyer, published by Amato Publications (FAOL Sponsor. If you have this book the various uses can be found in Chapter 10, Section 4, of the book.

It is a very well throughout design that, is simple to setup and use, with little touches to make use easier on the tier. Example is the non-slip matting that is secured to the bottom of the board, for secure placement on the table top, during operation. Effective yet simple design spring clips to hold the threads (or wire), while constructing the dubbing brush.

Now I just have to clear the table top of other stuff (housekeeping) to try this Turbo Dubbing Brush, on some fly patterns. I will post more later.

If anyone else has tried Jim's "Turbo Dubbing Brush" please tell me what you think.~Parnelli

Jim can be contacted...

Email: jwsmiths@bellsouth.net

:D
WarrenP demonstrated one that was a gift from ohiotuber during our visit to Tulahoma, TN last June.
Quite an interesting and well made aid to fly tying.

Parn,

I received one of Jims fine Turbo Dubbing Blocks when
he visited me early this past spring. It is as you
say, a well thought out and well constructed fly
tying tool that works better than any I've seen. I
am most impressed. I can turn out dubbing brushes
in nothing flat.*G*

I believe he keeps a few extra on hand that he sells.
He can be reached at jwsmiths@bellsouth.net. I try
to watch the fly swaps and when I see his name on a
swap, I try to jump in. Fantastic tyer and he seems
to come up with a lot of unique and effective
patterns.*G* I had the opportunity to fish with him
for almost a week this year and you couldn't ask for
a more personable companion to chase bluegills with.
Warm regards, Jim

Parnelli,

I usually try and tie flies each evening before going to bed, but, have discovered that sometimes that is not the "stress reliever" it ususally is. Since receiving the dubbing brush maker, I will just sit and make up several dubbing brushes to be used later when I am in the tying mood. They are a real time saver and sure a lot of fun experimenting with different material to make dubbing brushes. For instance, filling the groove with dubbing material and then laying a hackle on top and spinning it all together. I enjoy using mine and I feel it is well made and thought out. I really appreciate receiving it as a gift from "ohiotuber" and Jack. I use the ultra size ribbing wire which comes in several different colors which adds to the effect of the dubbed body. After you have "played" with it for awhile and you learn any new tricks, please post them here so I can try them.

I got one from jim a couple weeks back and have puttered about with it a bit...the brushes make for a great simi seal leech. with the wire loop adding weight for quicker sinking. where I found the tool to really excel is in making scuds. I don't really like dubbing scud flies, a process I find tedious at best. with the dubbing brush though you can dub and tie a perfect scud in no time. that's about my only experience w/ it to date as I've got a lotta other projects to complete at the bench. cool well crafted tool. reasonably priced as well.

mgj

Steven ...I think your email address for Jim is wrong ...just got a refusal ...you may want to edit...I'm about to try Jim H's....

ducksterman

Thank you about the email typo for Jim Smith, I corrected the email address, in the original post. ~Parnelli

I built a little dubbing brush jig based on pic's in the Flytyer's Benside Reference. I had a lot of fun spinning real cool dubbing brushes. But I am challenged in finding uses for them!

Aside from some caddis patterns and woolly worms I can't seem to think of patterns to make.

What do you all use them for?

Kengore,

I have found many patterns that a dubbing brush makes easier to tie and some patterns that I think you must use a dubbing brush to tie. I use them on nymphs, flymphs, softhackles, scuds, dragonfly nymphs, crawfish patterns, leaches, and even some streamers. The dubbing twister allows you to use material like marabou feathers or full-length fur to make dubbing brushes. I have one leach pattern where I use rabbit fur cut off the pelt and laid perpendicular to the wire. When I twist it up, I get a nice full brush almost 1/2 wide that makes a nice large profile body that moves in the water. Use your imagination and play around with it. I think you'll begin to see many applications and new ways to use traditional materials in your patterns. I have invited several of the people that use these dubbing twisters to post their findings and patterns on this BB so that we can share information. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Jim Smith

Thanks dude, I got mine today. Great litte tool. I made a brush with it and it works the way it's supposed to. Can't wait to tie up some rediculous streamers with it.

I use a Nor-Vise for my dubbing brushes. I have another screw-in spot for the bobbin holder to give me extra length. Then I use a long piece of foam supported by a pedestal to lay the materials on. Works fairly well.

I just ordered one of Jim's Dubbing Twister Blocks. While I was researching the use of dubbing twisters I came across a web site from the Czech Republic, it's Siman Ltd. On their site they have two videos, one on using a similar spinning block to the one Jim makes, and the other is a video on Bas Verschoor tying seven different patters using dubbing brushes and softdub loops. The tying video is very good.

I don't visit the Fly Tying board often, so if this has been covered before, I apologize.

The link to the two videos is http://shop.siman.cz/index.html?pod=/999x0.htm
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/053906.gif

Started using mine today....in the spirit of Jim's request here are some of my thoughts....

Would you agree that this has much in common with the Pettijohn Magic Tool?
Also certainly a form of dubbing loop that we tie right on the hook...any real advantage?

Anyone tried somehow creating a brush out of actual peacock herl?...I'd really like that...

What do you do for sources of wire? and what is the largest gauge you find works?

Here's what I've done so far....

Used a spool of gold 32 gauge wire from the craft store...24 yds...economic and worked well

Used a thinner gauge copper wire from an old piece of extension cord....I get most of my wire from various cast off sources...so I don't buy copper wire...
for the twister you need about 2ft/brush...

this was a little bit of a hassle with the extension cord but can be done...

striped a little of the end ...and used a utility knife to slit the wire insulation longitudinally [doesn't have to be perfect] and then pull the wire bundle out...unfortunately the bundle is twisted so the individual wires are hard to get out...untwisting the bundle isn't too hard and then you have a good supply of what seems a good gauge...

Any other ideas for easier sources of wire of at least two feet Plus??????

Actually it looks like the color of the wire doesn't matter...correct?

I hear ya about stripping wire.

wire color matters. check out the ultrawire line of wire. nice effects from those. look for small wire size.

I'm curious about using thread or floss for the brushes. I'm pretty sure it can be done but you've gotta be careful about it...

Hi there,

I don't have the Benchside reference book and my web search turned up the one mentioned from Siman. Does anyone have a picture of Jim's?

Thanks,

Dwight

Dubbing loop (free) vs Dubbing Twister thingy ($$)

Pros?

Cons?

For a production tyer?

For a recreational tyer??

Handier than a pocket on a shirt or better than sliced bread?

Just wondering

You can do more with it than a dubbing loop, like use wire. Mostly what I got it for is to make brushes for streamers which I then use the way I would use chenielle on a wooly bugger type fly. Only now my chenielle is made with crazy metallic dubbing and rubber leg materials and feathers. You couldn't jam all that in a dubbing loop. For production tying it is better because for certain ties you can make a brush long enough to do more than one fly. The flies are also more durable.

I like it because it helps me to be more creative and use materials in new ways.

Those are the pros. The cons are really just the money end of things. You can build one, which I always wanted to do but never got around to it. If I built one I would incorporate these features:

1. A gyroscopic twisting handle that was big and easy to grab. One flick of the wrist would set the gyroscope spinning and the brush would be done.

2. A tray that drops out of the way. You load the materials into the tray, spin the wheel a little bit, then drop the tray out of the way to really twist up the brush. This keeps the materials from getting bunched up and locking too many fibers into the center of the brush. I have seen them with this feature.

3. A long tray. A tray that you could make a finished brush 2 feet long with. Don't know for sure that this would work, but it would be nice if it did.

One trick to using them is to load your wire onto a spool and use a bobbin-makes things faster.

Dwight,

I have posted a photo of the dubbing twister that I make. It is the result of me designing one for my own use because I didn't want to spend $80 plus shipping for the model offered by Siman. I refined the design over the first few models and it worked so well for me that I decided to make a few for friends. I think that Benjo did a good job stating the advantages of using a dubbing twister over just a dubbing loop. The dubbing twister that I sell works well for production tyers however it was designed for the average person that ties for themselves, some friends and perhaps a local shop. Benjo also made some good points about a faster dubbing twister for professional tyers. I am toying with the idea of a motorized version, but I have not built one yet. I sell the one pictured here for $30 plus actual shipping. If you're interested in getting one, please send me either an email or a PM on the BB.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...thBrush1-1.jpg

Thanks and have a great day.

Jim Smith

looks great, wish i had the $$

looks great, wish i had the $$

Another pro...

It's easy and fun...or is that two....

James, your dubbing brush tool looks nice. Does it come with instructions for those of use who failed basket-weaving?

Thanks,
Ed

Ed,

Yes, I have a file with a couple of photos that I send along with it. Once you see how simple it is to use (there's only one moving part, you'll see why folks like it. Let me know if you're interested. I have a batch of them that I'm finishing up now and taking names for the list. They should ship on Monday.

Jim Smith

Jim,
For longer fibers, is your material tray/groove moveable or deep enough to keep them from getting all bound up?

Curtis,

The material tray is about 1/4 inch deep and seems to work with all types of materials and fibers. If you wanted one with the material tray a bit deeper, that would be no problem for me to accomodate.

Jim Smith

Any hints on making the brush really spiky? I've been merrily making brushes of various types and seem to notice that if I want a larger brush the twisting makes it fairly "round". I haven't tied yet but am assuming it will just be a matter if picking some of the fibers out?????....for example, that seal bugger effect....

What you describe is the problem I've seen on dubbing brush tools, where the materials don't have enough room to freely spin around the wire and tend to get bunched up, creating a "round" effect. It also depends on the material too or whether you use too much for the job. Less is usually better in my experience.

One of the best tools I've seen was done by a guy who did a lot of salmon and saltwater flies that required a LOT of material and the tray would swing down out of the way, giving free movement to the materials.

On a machine like Jim's I think the solution for this issue would be either a removeable tray or a way to raise and lower the spinning head to get the materials away from any spinning impediments. Probably not an issue for what I've been spinning though. I use the Nor-Vise, but want something a little more specific to the task.

Anyway, with that said, Jim, I'll take one "as-is". Tell me how to pay you etc...

Go Ducks!

Ducksterman,

The way I make dubbing brushes is that once I have all the material "engaged", (that is caught in the initial twists of the wire), I then grasp both pieces of the wire between my finger and thumb and hold them about an inch or so above the dubbing block to complete the twisting process. The end of the wire hooked to the twister hook stays on fine and this makes it easier to twist the wire. It also gives the material the room to become evenly distributed around the wire making the extra spikey dubbing brushes. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions about how this is done and I'll do my best to clear them up.

Jim Smith

The way Jim explained it is the way I make mine on his board. Once I have turned the wheel enough times to trap the material, I grasp the 2 wires on the left in my left hand and raise them about 1 1/2 inch and continue to spin the wire.

That works good...thanks.

Any suggestions on storage ideas for these brushes I'm accumulating?...so far I'm using those trays you can get at the dollar store....[3/$]

Another pro I'm finding....

It's easier to shape the body using the dubbing brush.

This may reflect my lack of technique but it works for me.... :D

Hi guys. I finished a video tutorial on Jim's dubbing brush twister if you're interested:
Dubbing Brush Tutorial
I've been having a lot of fun with it lately. Thanks Jim!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Curtis Fry

Hi guys. I finished a video tutorial on Jim's dubbing brush twister if you're interested:
Dubbing Brush Tutorial
I've been having a lot of fun with it lately. Thanks Jim!

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Thanks Curtis...That's pretty much how I'm doing it now thanks to the above tips...

One thing I'm doing that I like is grabbing the wires on the left with a hemostat to lift them...I find I have real control that way.

Would also mention that JoAnn's has a 34 gauge gold and also a silver spooled wire for 99 cents....I haven't used it but have used the same one in 32 gauge from Craftware house

Fantastic job Curtis! Thanks for sharing this great tuitorial on using the Turbo Dubbing Twister.

Jim Smith

Wow, nice clip. Being a newbie I was impressed with the vice as much as the dubbing brush contraption.

Jonathan

I store my dubbing brushes on Cardstock. You can also use the inserts inside the 24 can soda containers.

The Cardstock is available at Wally World. I run some Cardstock through my printer (Portrait Setting) using my Spreadsheet Program, to print some reference lines on the Cardstock. I laminate a 2nd sheet of Cardstock to the back of the printed sheet, then snip grooves into both side edges to secure the Dubbing Brushes.

Brassie wire from Waspi is good, and there is plenty of line. For the Midges, I am using French Tinsel, which is a thinner guage of wire.

I am going shopping for a battery operated coffee grinder. So I can chop of some fur really fine for my smaller hooks. I get scrap fur from the stores that sell fur coats, that also store and repair them. They normally toss the the scrap pieces out. I have Mink, Sable, various Fox, as well as Bobcat, Cougar, Coyote, Lynx, etc.

As for the troth, I am using some long strands of thin acrylic fiber to do some flesh bodies, I just lay the material across the troth, with the ends equal on both side outside the troth. After I spin the Dubbing Brush, I comb the fibers back away from the wire, using a metal eyelash comb, picture below with reference to Tying Tip article.

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flyt...ombandhair.jpg

[url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/tyingtips/part167.html:21eb1]Tying Tip "Deer Hair Comb" article that I wrote![/url:21eb1]

Dear Mr. James Smith,

I noticed you copy and sell my tool which I originated, developed, manufacture and distribute worlwide :( .
Don?t you have your own ideas?

http://shop.siman.cz/detail/block1.jpg
[url=http://shop.siman.cz/art_turbo_spinning_block/block1_detail.jpg:e1f30]Detailed picture[/url:e1f30]

Regards

Jan Siman

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jansiman

Dear Mr. James Smith,

I noticed you copy and sell my tool which I originated, developed, manufacture and distribute worlwide :( .
Don?t you have your own ideas?

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Jan,
Here in America, we enjoy something called "Free Enterprise" and in this case where you charge $80 for your tool, Jim comes along and builds something somewhat similar for only $30. Since I'm not familiar with how your country operates, I just wanted to point that out, in case you didn't understand.