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DIY: Fly Tying Bench from the new guy

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c4charlie

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Hey guys,

 

I am brand new to fly tying. Got a vise from my dear family for Christmas and picked up some tools and limited materials and I am now getting started. Was told that being organized is very important so I decided to make a fly tying tabletop station/bench.

 

Here are some images for anyone that would like to make one or get an idea. It is relatively large at 28"x18" because I intend to just keep at home and use on either one of the few tables in the house. I still need to get a light that I will put in the top right corner and also some materials, the only fly I can make right now is a woolly bugger which is good practice. I have tied a bunch and I like it very much.

 

I haven't drilled all of the holes on the sides yet because I don't know what the diameters of the tools I will be buying in the future.

 

The wood is mostly maple. I used a bit of red oak for the shelf and then top shelf with the bigger holes. I made sure there is an opening in the back for the light plug and wire. Underneath the shelf can be used for storage.

 

Best of all, my two boys (3 and 5) helped me build the bench with me last weekend. clapping.gifThey did a lot of gluing and they also liked putting in the thread holders and banging those in.

 

I am considering some enhancements such as a magnetic strip on the inside part of the sides and possibly some type of white surface on the wood base. I also need some felt and maybe rubber feet on the bottom so I do not scratch up any furniture.

 

Take a look and let me know what you think. Also recommend some starter saltwater and freshwater flies I should learn and try out. Any suggestions or advice, let me know.

 

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I think it's nice. About the only idea I have for a similar project right now is I want a removable panel in the bottom (where you have the plywood) that I can replace if needed.

 

Some random (simple) flies I have enjoyed tying:

- Mickey Finn, Black Nosed Dace, Black Ghost (some use same hooks as the woolly bugger and have minimal cost of body materials)

- Gold ribbed Hare's Ear Nymph, Bead head Hare's Ear Nymph, or similar

still counting...
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Charlie,

VERY classy!! You do nice work.

Your HMH vise has a nice tapered base. I guess that is a new addition to the newer vises. Mine is not tapered.

 

I hope you can keep your table neater than I keep mine.

 

Regards,

Herb

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Nice looks like you used pine. I have to make one myself. After moving my tying station from the garage to inside the house because of summer time out here. I keep all of my tying tools inside of the drawers of my tying desk. As you can tell I am trying to save time for tying patterns. When I use to tie out in the garage I did not need to hide my hooks and tools because I had no pets out there. So I had no need for a tying caddy like you made. Thanks for the pics they look exactly like the ones sold through the fly shops.

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View PostSuper job. You can protect the surface of the bench and improve visibility with a sheet of blotter paper. Comes in a variety of colors which makes a nice backdrop for tying - easier on the eyes.

 

The last color to use is white for your back drop.It reflects back at you and will stress your eyes.

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looks awesome, please post pics after you have whipped out 10 flies and run off to catch a tide smile.gif

 

my desk always looks good after i clean it smile.gif

 

5 fly's later..... thats another story

If you try to change it, you will ruin it. Try to hold it, and you will lose it.

 

Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

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Looks great clapping.gifclapping.gifclapping.gif

 

But if you don't seal it, urethane would work fine, it could warp which would ruin the whole thing - and would be a real shame

I just wanta play everyday despite small nagging injuries --

and go home to a woman who appreciates how full of crap I truly am. ~ Crash Davis

 

Social Distancing since 1962

 

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