I marvel at all the people who make things rather than buying them. I have read posts where people make their own glues, floatants, head cement, rabbit hide cutters … there seems to be no end to what some of you guys can do. So, what can you make … something that you use to tie flies or something that you use while fishing? From the simple to the elaborate, please share.
I never could find just the “right” head cement, so a few years ago I started playing with some chemicals, (not to be confused, with when I also did this in the 60s!), and developed my own head cement.
I also enjoy making my own bodkins, with various needle, lengths, sizes and points and the handles;out of everything from Bamboo rod pieces, to exotic woods and even some "offbeat and “fun” materials. I just could never apply a dab of head cement, to a #20 spinner, with the same “gun barrel” bodkin from Dr.Slick,that I’d use on my #4 Wooley Buggers!
I made my own revolving “Lazy Susan style”, tying station, from some golden oak a friend gave me from his kitchen remodel. I copied the dimensions, as well as design, of a fellow tier’s “Oasis” brand unit. It was far cheaper, to build, than to buy the same already made of course, but I really did it because I truly enjoy working with wood and just “doing things, like this, myself”!! (plus, if I DON’T use all the tools I’ve got, that I’ve told my bride over the years that… “But, I REALLY NEED, that cool planer, power jig saw, etc.!” she’d use those tools on ME).
Finally, (since you asked!), I’ve built my own fly rods for the past 20 years or so.
I imagine a lot of tyers have done what I have done. That being making my own fly tying bench or station.
Tim
Hmmm…Let’s see if I can remember it all. Rod wrapper, rod dryer, thread rack, furling board, fly tying travel box…and those so I can tie flies, make rods, and furl leaders and all of that so I can fish.
I am a builder and maker of things as a profession, and in life. I work as a metal fabricator / machinist.
I’ve made my tying vise, bodkins, bobbins. dubbing spinner, 3 hair stackers, Turbo dubbing twister, tying bench, thread station, tool holders, bobbin threader, hackle gauge, hackle pliers, pretty much everything but scissors and hemostats…I just like it that way…ModocDan
Ive built the basics bodkins, bottle for fly cement (just glued a needle in the lid for ease of application) thread/tool holder, vice stand(dont like c clamps) I would love to have a lathe and build more.
Modocdan why dont you show us a picture of your vise?
Yeah, let’s see that puppy!!!
If anyone makes their own floatant, I would like to know how! Please share the magic with me/us!!! To avoid the thread bomb (hi-jack), a PM would work great or add a new thread. Thanks in advance!!!
Tights lines y’all!
I hope, that this isn’t enough to “hi-jack the thread”, but quite simply I don’t really “MAKE” my own floatant, but I don’t buy it in fly shops, either. I buy a $11.00 jar of “Albolene Hand/Body Cream” at my local drugstore. I’ve tried for the longest time to try and see what the difference is between this hand cream and “Gerhke’s Gink” and never have been able to!?!
It’s a great floatant and one jar of Albolene Cream is about 5 years worth, in “Gink sized bottles”. In fact, my current jar is 6 years old, I just checked where I marked the date of purchase on the bottom of it, with a felt pen, when I bought it.
I build fly tying desk tops since I could not find one that was styled the way I wanted it to be. I like to use red oak to build them. It has a super nice grain pattern when done with a clear finish. John
lets see what do i make… o yeah, i actually MAKE my own FLIES!! :shock: :lol: i make alot of my own hooks and temporary foam trying racks (untill i turn them into flies) i make my own leaders, i can make my own dubbing from almost fabric and it will always come out almost exactly like antron or similar to haresear. and i cant think of anything else that i MAKE per say but i also do alot of scavenging for flie materials.
ModocDan,
I’m impressed!!! If you care to, I’d also really like to see your work (if) you decide to show it.
I have a well equipped woodshop that I used to make a lot of home furniture in before a series of miserable elbow ops. sidelined that for this last decade. I’ll be getting back to it though and this time I’ve taken an interest in building bamboo rods.
I only hope that after a last op. this winter I’ll be able to resume wood-cutting!
I guess I have a passion for making things too but I’m not a metal-worker. I have a deep respect for folks who have the same interests, no matter which venue they work in. I can’t imagine just sitting around and watching T.V. for too long.
Jeremy.
After this weekend, I’ll have a little time to get with my “tech advisor” (AKA lovely wife) and figure out the photo and posting thing. You see, I am very high tech handicapped. and shoot y’all some photos
Later…ModocDan :lol:
I make my own bodkins, and dubbing spinners.
I tan hides and use some for fly-tying.