Dave Micus suggestions

In conducting beginner's classes I'm always on the lookout for ways to ease newbies into the craft. Here are a few that should also be considered.
1. Use a corsage pin as a bodkin. They are finely pointed metal with only their length being a handicap. But some florists have longer ones.
2. Any tubular metal container can be used as a hair stacker. I've used old Binaca breath spray containers after cutting off thr top.
3. Dental floss applicators make good bobbin threaders. For a few bucks you can get many lifetimes supply.
4. The electronic test clips from Radio Shack are in many ways better than traditional style hackle pliers, especially for smaller hackles. Even Hans W. uses them. But I can attest that their counterparts from some flytying supply houses are of much lower quality.
5. If you want to improve the gripping efficacy of the traditional hackle pliers cover one of the tips with a short piece of electronic shrink tubing.

[This message has been edited by Ray Kunz (edited 16 February 2005).]

[This message has been edited by Ray Kunz (edited 16 February 2005).]