I have a number ~10 bobbins loaded with thread or floss lying around my deask. I Was wondering if any of you have ideas, or pictures of ways you have organized the bobbins other than my method which is all over the desk and getting in the way, tangling up etc.
Thanks,
Northwoods ( where Spring is reluctant to arrive!!!)
It’s a little hard to see in the background, but this thread rack, made out of scrap pine and some dowels, holds about 40 spools of thread.
REE
Northwoods…may be you can tell from these pictures…
Here’s one way:…a tie rack
And here’s another…it’s a tool holder I got at Harbor Freight…lower left
I have no qualms about drilling holes in m tying desks so if I didn’t have these I would just drill a row of holes in the appropriate place…in fact I have subsequently to that Harbor Freight picture drilled a row behind the holder…I’ve just got too many bobbins;)
I have a 3 1/2 in wide board on legs 4 in high along the rear of my 7 foot length of tying table. Many 3/8 holes along the front edge for bobbin scissors etc. To the rear lots of space for glue thread,and any other junk I don’t want on the table top. Everyone has the stickers come off their thread spools so when I put them in a bobbin I mark each end with black marker–3 marks for 3/0 6 for 6/0 etc. BILL
Took a lot the bobbins out, so you could see the actual holder,(usually has about 18 bobbins stuck in it), but got this cribbage board at a garage sale for $1.00.
Cabelas sells a lazy susan type that will hold lots of bobbins and rotates for access. Check out their website :!:
I must be an anomaly but I don’t like ANYTHING on my tying desk except the materials and tools required for the pattern I am tying. I keep all of my tools and my 25+ fully loaded bobbins in the top drawer of my tying desk in a large divided Plano box.
When my bobbins are not in use I use wire insulation to keep things neat. I stripped the outer jacket off of some multi conductor wire I have and cut it into short sections. I slip one of these short sections of insulation over the end of my bobbin tube & thread and it keeps the thread from getting all tangled or pulling out of the tube when stored. It is a bit tricky to find the right size insulation but being an X-electrician I have plenty to choose from.
When I tie since I usually only use one thread size & color at a time; I take out the loaded bobbin with the thread size & color I need along with any special tools required for the fly I am tying, pull off the insulation thingie and I’m good to go.
It may seem crazy to some but by keeping out only what is needed for a particular fly, I spend less time searching for stuff amongst the clutter and I get more fies tied in a session.
I have LOTS of tools but I never got into the having everything out thing. It must be the same reason why I keep my sockets, ratchets and other regular tools in a tool chest instead of on a peg board.