I have a job that requires that I travel for 4-6 weeks at a time. I’m looking for ideas for a travel/hotel tying kit. I drive to hotels, so size and airport security isn’t an issue.
I’m specifically looking for vise mounting ideas (I have a renzetti clamp traveller).
I’m also dreaming of next springs camping trip, so I’m looking for ideas on a smaller camp size travel tying kit.
Photo’s would be appreciated.
When the desk in your hotel room won’t accomodate your clamp-on vise, you could use a large wood or synthetic cutting board. The white synthetic provides good contrast, too. We have one that’s about 12 x 18" that works well. We also have a wooden board that has a channel around the edges (for carving meat) that nicely traps beads as they try to escape.
Typically, the weight of the board is enough to counterbalance your tying, but if you need to, you can put a book or two on the back edge to keep the works from tipping.
Doesn’t Renzetti have a spare pedestal you can switch out for your clamp?
SonOfMartin:
My first suggestion would be to buy a pedestal base for the Traveler. You may strike out quite a bit with hotel furniture having ideal clamping conditions.
What I do to AVOID having to build a separate tying kit with separate tools and materials is to store all of my dubbing at home in large Ziploc bags sorted by color: black, brown, green, grey, etc. I keep the rest of my materials, things I don?t use as often in Rubbermaid containers of various sizes which normally sit on a shelf in front of my tying desk. My hooks, beads, threads, tinsels, wires etc are in compartmentalized boxes. My tools live in a large flat compartmentalized Plano box in the center drawer of my desk.
When I want to travel and tie I just grab a couple of large duffels and put in my tools, threads, materials of choice and of course my vise AND a tying light, (my choice is a McKenzie Bright Light). This system of course can only work if you have some order to the way you store your materials at your home tying station. I just didn?t feel it was necessary in MY case to duplicate stuff just so I could have a dedicated kit for traveling. I know all to well that when you try and share stuff between home and the road you inevitably forget something.
Of course IF you want to make a dedicated tying kit there are lots of awesome bags out there from many manufacturers just for the purpose.
[This message has been edited by Bamboozle (edited 08 September 2005).]
The last time I was in a hotel with only a c-clamp, I used the fold out ironing board to clamp to. Really though, a pediastal would work the best.
For sure bring good lighting with you. I have never had a hotel room with anykind of good lighting. The McKenzie light is your ticket. Depending on what you tie will help on your choice of a pedestal base. There’s a guy on eBay who sells 6lb bases for around $20-25. Nothing i hated more than the small light weight base on the Traveler and the short shaft of the base model. Seeing as you have the longer c clamp post(9") with a 6lb base would be sweet!
Brent
What I use is an old briefcase of mine. Capes, saddles, foam sheets go into the file holders in the top. Small plastic containers for hooks, beads, and other assorted garnishments go into the bottom. I also have a cutting board that I drilled a 3/8? hole in it that accepts my vise (an old Thompson A).
I have pulled that out in a lot of places like wayside rests and parks and gotten some pretty strange looks. Brought new life into that old thing.
Fly_line thats a good Idea my compliments .I got an old briefcase sittin next to my desk.My vice is a clamp type A but I’m thinking about hto gluing a wood block in the corner and clamping my vice to it when open.A 2x4 would fill the area nicely and make it like a counter with nothing rattling arond in side to do damage.
Right now all materials are stored in file folders in a filing cabnet or in those zip lock storage boxs.
Several years ago I got one of those travel kits from Cabelas for about $20. A nice wooden box with an incredibly slip-free vise. No, it’s not a fancy thing, but its more than serviceable. Heck, I used it as my primary vise for several years. Light weight. Has the major tools you’ll need. Otherwise I’ll take my Danvise with a pedestal. That’s if I’m truck traveling. If I’m going by suitcase I’ll take the Cabelas. JGW
Fly Line
Great idea. That would be perfect for any out of town trips, and even streamside. Thanks, you just made my day. 
[url=http://flyangler.ca:195dd]http://flyangler.ca[/url:195dd]
Get a pedesal (sp?) stand for your Renzetti. Also bring a good light and a small extension cord. I also put a small amount of itmes in zip lock type bags, Packs easy. All dubbing is in an easy to cary plastic boz with holes. You buy the empty box and then stuff it with your own dubbing. I have a Renzetti travel case or my vise and tools. Works out excellent. Best bet would be to select a few patterns that you kow for sure that you want to tie. Then just package up the patterns in zip lock bag.
Hope this helps,
John G.
Albuquerque, NM
I watched Gary Borgman’s Nymphing video several months back and noticed he was using an accordion file for materials, so Wal-mart had them for less than $5 and I can take my feathers and fur anywhere.
Oh yeah, I guess the nymphing part of the video was alright, too.
There’s almost nothin’ wrong with the first lie, it’s the weight of all the others holdin’ it up that gets ya’! - Tim
[This message has been edited by MOturkE (edited 09 September 2005).]
On the “top of the line” side, I’d suggest you take a look at the Fort Shockley Portable Fly Tying Station. You can see the 3 models they make-Noel, Gene, & Walker. I personally tie my flies on the Gene. My daughters have the Walker. Go to [url=http://www.fortshockley.com:4a513]www.fortshockley.com[/url:4a513] to see what I’m talking about. Just giving you another option to ponder. Take-care!
Truly some great ideas were posted. Now, let’s get creative and show some photos of unique camping/compact tying kits ! This should generate some creative thought this winter.
SonOfMartin
I actually do this and am happy with my set-up. I am in a different hotel every night so needed it extremely portable.
Went to JoAnne Fabric and they had a little canvas sewing/craft case for $15 that has loops for spools of thread and everything. Bunch of pockets and elastic bands and such built in. I have one of the cheap vises with a base and tools, hooks, threads, glues, and small materials (beads, legs, chenille, etc) go in here.
A small plastic accordian style check organizer for fur and feathers and a pencil box for delicate stuff at $1 each.
Have more than everything that I need in the space and weight of a large phone book.
Have been checking out the miniature vise/tool sets from SA. VERY COOL, but out of my league.
Usually have to move the furniture and lamps around in the hotel to get comfy, but no one has seemed to mind yet.
Biggest problem is that TSA really makes a mess of it going through security.
I would suggest a pedestal for the following reasons. Most hotel furniture won’t accomodate a c-clamp very well at all. If it will, you run the risk of leaving a dent in it, as I did this year at a motel that will remain nameless. I’m hoping it was cheap motel furniture. It was at a fishing destination, so I just assumed…wrong.
Eric
i have to put my stuff away when i finish , this has traveled with me on vac. it doesn’t have to be this complicated just a fold down lid and a couple of drawers.
Um, ZZ? Is that a glass of wine or cement thinner or both?
Randy
Now that is an impresive setup very nice.
For lots of material and a good vise base look at [url=http://thebugbox.net:2c39b]http://thebugbox.net[/url:2c39b]
Bill
I have a two-part system. One is all the tools inc. vise and basic materials (thread, tinsel samples, material to tie 'anything brown/beige/cream) in size 16. I can always use more flies it that size. This is in a make-up case (with loops and pockets) that cost $25Cdn. The second part is the lamp, extension cord, and zip-locks of materials selected for chosen patterns that I am going to make. This is in a plastic about 8x11x4. This goes in the pack, suitcase or day-bag. I don’t have to repack the tool bag from one trip to the next, just the ‘Patterns’ zip-locks.