I am reading through my winter 2009 Fly Tyer magazine and I see Renzetti has a new product they will carry from Sweden called the detached body pen for making extended body flies. I thought I would pass this along to all of us flytying gadget junkies. 
I like it!!!
<the tool junkie>
Remember Betty, you have to like it twice at your place.
Ed, the only fly-tyer in his family.
I’ll use it as a pattern and bend a paper clip for Cary.
Mine, I tell you! Mine!!
<tool junkie bordering on compulsive>:rolleyes:
obsessive compulsive tool junkie gadget guru 
Wait, is that $16.95 for three pins? That’s too rich for my blood.
Betty, the lads in the UK would label you, as they have me, a tackle tart. I wear the moniker proudly as I look for the newest tying gadgets I can’t live without.
REE
My dear fellow tackle tart …
A designation I shall wear with pride!!
Ron, they’re not pins you use once and never see again (thus being tied into a fly). They are a pin placed in the vise to use as a form to tye your extended bodies, and use over and over again! You know, like we used to do with the sewing needle!!:rolleyes:
TT
Betty, Thanks for clearing that up. Maybe I should have read the article in Fly Tyer. I think I’ll stick with the needle until the Daughters wedding is paid for.
REE
Ron,
There is always layaway. 
Sorry Normand. I now see your post about it. Missed it. My bad. :oops:
Folks, you don’t need to spend that kind of cash. As usual, that magazine chooses to publish the most difficult or expensive option available.
What you want to do is use upholstery needles (they usually come in a set of 6 sizes and shapes). The needles are about $3 max.
Use them in the same way the article suggests. There will be different sizes of needles so you can make different size tails.
I can recreate the instructions in an article for this site if anyone would like.
Note, when you use the needle the segmented body will automatically curve as it is released from the needle. You don’t need a curved wire to make it curve.
Ah, com’on, Bob! I know that. You know that. But the upholstery needle isn’t near as kewl!!
The gizmo looks like a good place to spend $2 for some aluminum wire from the hobby shop!!! $16.95…?..is someone kidding me or what?
Norm Norlander (Nor-vise) has a video on his site for making an extended body mayfly. He uses his product, a Nor-vise to create it using a needle. I think the same procedure could be done with any rotary vise it would just take a little longer to spin the body. I am in the process of trying it. It makes a great body and tail; the complete fly looks pretty good too.
S’pose?
But what quality tying desk is complete without one???:shock: