DIY Gallows Tool

[ScottP]

Since I started tying Hacklestackers, I tried a bunch of different ways to hold the post loop while wrapping the hackle (never did get the hang of the mono loop on the finger like Mr. Quigley tied it). Didn't feel like buying a gallows so I tried everything from bent coat-hangers to rubber bands on the Ott light that hangs over my vise. Rooting through the bins at Home Depot for another project, I found some nylon spacers that fit the vise shaft and figured they'd work as the base; just needed the right material for the hook part. Coat hangers are a bit thick and really don't have that much spring to them, same with all the spooled wire I could find. Thought about stuff like 304 spring steel wire, music wire, etc, then remembered the wire on those cheapy marker flags might work (grabbed one from the neighbor's yard - I'm sure they won't have any trouble finding those buried cables they're going to start digging around). The stuff is perfect - flexible, doesn't seem to have much memory, provides the right amount of tension, and is long enough that when it's bent and attached to the post loop, there's plenty of room to wrap the hackle without banging into it.

base - nylon spacer 3/8" I.D. x 1" x 3/8"
arm - 1/16" wire (from marker flag)
glue - 5 min epoxy

spacer; drill 1/16" hole




flag (pull the flag off and clean up the wire with a little steel wool)




bend end of the wire into a hook




epoxy other end into the spacer




slide it on the vise shaft and Bob's your uncle










plenty of clearance for wrapping hackle




finished product




total cost - $.50 for the spacer


Regards,
Scott

[NJTroutbum]

Scott,

Thanks much for that! I will have to give that a try.

Ralph

[BadBug]

Very ingenious Scott. I got the spacer, now I just need your neighbor's address so I can get one of those marker flags!

[melk]

Thanks VERY MUCH Scott for the tool, I need one! Now, how much for postage and bail for you to get me one from your neighbor!
Mike

[Uncle Jesse]

You really have to be a first class scourge to have this, but there is a stainless steel strip of metal in a windshield wiper blade that would be just about perfect for the job described, about 3/32" wide about 0.0030 thick, you would need to heat the end to insert in the nylon spacer, they are flexible and springy.

[ScottP]

Jesse,

From one scrounge to another, I tip my hat.


Regards,
Scott

[Ed_D]

You really have to be a first class scourge to have this, but there is a stainless steel strip of metal in a windshield wiper blade that would be just about perfect for the job described, about 3/32" wide about 0.0030 thick, you would need to heat the end to insert in the nylon spacer, they are flexible and springy.

I've been accused of being a first class scourge a couple of times...

Regards,
Ed