Does anyone know where I can get a few cheap bobbins with large diameter tubes for use with chenilles and yarns? I picked up a few small metal spools, used with sewing machines I think, and have loaded them with various colors that I use most. Problem is none of my bobbins will let the material pass easily.
I have seached various fly shops and websites and can’t seem to find what I want. None of the shops have bobbin with thick enough tubes and most websites don’t give that demension with their descriptions. I don’t need anything fancy and I don’t want a ceramic instert. My main reason for trying this meathod was to cut down on waste and to place my wraps with more accuracy. Does anyone else do this? and does anyone have a favorite bobbin for the job? Thanks for the help.
I got two large one’s at Sportsman’s Warehouse…practically free …I think they were less than two dollars…got them to hold wire for making dubbing brushes…
Gotta withdraw my suggestion …sorry I didn’t read carefully enough…the overall bobbin is big but I don’t think the barrel is large enough for most yarns or chenille
Keep in mind each wrap of material using a bobbin will put a 1/2 turn of twist into it. It MAY not be a big deal but the effect may not be what you are after. Of course you can untwist as you go along but some folks find that annoying to have to do.
But as Normand already stated; a rotary vice COMPLETELY solves the waste problem.
If you DON’T have a rotary you could easily justify the expense by factoring in the cost savings of no more wasted chenille when you use one.
It might take 75 years to realize that savings but you don’t have to tell anyone that…
The twisting isn’t a problem for me, when wrapping slowly I untwist as a part od my wraping motion. I have a rotary, but I don’t like winding the vise. I took a chance and ordered the cheapest bobbin I could find on my last order for materials and got lucky. It is a terra standard bobbin and will work for most of what I want it for. I really like it for tying with estaz. I load up a spool with it and just whip off flies until the spool runs out. It also runs the chenille I use for wolly buggers through it just fine.
As for cabela’s thanks for the advise on that one, but I stopped ordering from them. They charge too much for shipping. I can get free shipping and a greater selection at other sites with the same or lower prices. I’ve never been to their retail stores but I have a feeling I would like those.
