Tying desk accessories

[FLY FIS]

I've started tying flies again after a 25 year hiatus, do to a cat rolling into a neck I left out on the old desk and then rolling onto an open box of hooks that were all over him in a few mere seconds. Anyway, my question is what do you use for a desk-tool organizer? I prefer a C-clamp vice, and have seen various types of desk organizers from simple rubber or plastic, to very expensive wood that also have storage for every conceivable tool in the world. Any preference and why? for these wooden ones, are there any plans available to make one, being somewhat handy?? Any suggestions appreciated, thanks.

[bridgeman]

I find those foam block tool organizers very helpfull and the fridge magnets from the pharmacy are great for keeping hooks in place at the bench.

[Banks10]

I'm a rookie tier and I recently set up my "shop" in the basement. I try to keep everything in the baggies that the material, hooks etc. come it and hang them on my peg board on the wall in front of me for easy access. I also like the magnets as well.
I'm sure as my inventory grows I will purchase some inexpensive drawers to hang on the wall above my desk.
When I recently began tying I read somewhere (maybe here) that is it best to have a designated area for tying where all your material and tools are always out and never put away. That way you are more inclined to sit down because you don't have to set everything up every time. I found this to be very true. 10 minutes here and there during the week and I am able to tie quite a few.

[mer]

Length of 2x4 with some holes drilled in it to hold bobbins and scissors and such. WalMart, sewing section for a thread organizer (or your wife's favorite sewing shop). Plastic boxes for materials. While you're at WalMart, pick up a roll of the sticky backed magnetic tape. Cut a small piece and stick it in the bottom of the hook boxes, then they don't spill.

I don't have any plans for any organizers, but you could start with a cheap wooden lazy susan, drill some holes for pegs to hold thread, attach a few blocks with more holes for scissors and bobins.

[lowwall]

I Bought a desk at an unfinished furniture store then built a top with doors to keep little hands out when not in use. Have a peg board backer in there which comes in handy. Materials go in Baggies, Thread Goes in Thread Box, Eyes etc, goes into Plano tackle boxs. I have my vice mounted on something that looks like this

http://cgi.ebay.com/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170173314912

in the desk, I built mine but it looks about the same.

[Flyfish99]

I made a Lazy Susan a few years ago by modifying a base from an old computer monitor, and adding a couple of pieces of 1/2" particle board joined by a 3/4" dowel about 12" long and asembled as a "tower". Holes of various sizes were added to accomodate containers of wax, cement, etc, and also hair stackers and the like. I used nails for spindles to stack thread and tinsel spools . Smaller holes were drilled in the upper part to hold scissors, bobbins, hackle pliers, etc. Take a look at some of the commercially built units, and you'll get the idea.

Best of all, I had the materials on hand, so other than about $1.00 worth of JB Weld to modify the base, the cost was zero. It only took a couple hours of labor with a table saw and a drill press.

[nhmacusr]

Like lowwall, I bought a desk at an unfinished furniture store (I bought the small postman from The Mill Store). I haven't gotten a chance to finish it yet. I drilled a 2 1/2 inch hole right over the center drawer. I have a little box inside the drawer that catches discards. Cabelas has some really neat drawer pulls that fit in really well. Trout, fly reels, creels etc. Adds a nice touch.

I also bought a table that I made into a rod tube holder. You can see it to the right of the desk in the last pic. The thread holders were a Walmart special. The book holder I got at Barnes and Noble. It was their cookbook model.

I like having my tool holder built into the vise stand because I don't always tie at my desk. Sometimes I bring up just the materials and tools I need and I'll tie wherever my family is hanging out. Tying-to-go. It makes packing it up really easy. My base is really heavy and wide. Won't tip over at all. Works really well. It has spaces bored out for beads , eyes and hooks as well as two brass cups built in. The Cliff Outdoors Top Shelf works well in my setup. It has a hackle gauge and hook size chart laser etched into the wood. The magnetic strip keeps hooks from wandering and it has a foam strip for lining up the finished product.



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[Solid]

Is that a Gerstner tool box as well? Very nice setup!

[Steve H.]

Jealous.

[SWW]

Give this a look. I bought a set, one for feathers and one for fur. Great idea.
It looks like the price went up since I got mine a couple of years ago but they are pretty bullet proof.

Fly Hive
Just about every serious fly tiers has enough materials to start their own supply catalog. But there comes a time when having too much isn't the problem, it's where and how to store it. Fly Hive File Bags ($79.95) are a new solution. Their system allows you to not only categorize and store you materials, but the clear, heavy-gauge bags also protect them from damage. Each bag contains a plastic vertical support that keeps materials like necks and saddles flat, and the Velcro openings keep them secure. The bags can then be labeled and stacked on a shelf like a row of books where they're out of the way. Each set includes 8 large (12.5" x 12.5") and 2 small (6" x 6") bags. If you're out of shelf space, check out the Fly Hive Bag ($39.95), it holds several storage bags. For more information on Fly Hive, call (239) 282-2248 or visit www.flyhive.com.

[Solid]

looks like a bad link.

[nhmacusr]

Is that a Gerstner tool box as well? Very nice setup!

Yep. Those are actually old picks. I have since added the base for the toolbox (the setup took about a year to assemble. I bought everything in pieces). I am hoping Santa will get me the roll around cart. My wife got me a really nice card catalog type chest too for my birthday. It hasn't shown up yet, but it is supposed to be in this week. I'll post more pics if I get it set up. I'm pretty lucky. The beer fridge to the left and a wood stove about 10 feet to the right.

[freestone]

I keep my materials separated in hanging file folders in a two drawer file cabinet.

freestone

[FLY FIS]

Well there certainly is some products out there. That's quite a desk set up that you have there in the pictures. Seems like everything is right at hand. I'll have to look into the lazy Susan idea and possibly make something from that or as stated the simple black holders would certainly work. All great info!!!

[nhmacusr]

I was looking through the Feather Craft Christmas circular and they had something called the tool stadium (http://www.feather-craft.com/2007Xmas/fcpage.asp?page=26) that looked pretty functional. Also check out the Oasis (http://www.oasisbenches.com/) website. They have a lot of good ideas there that could be duplicated by anyone that is handy with tools.

[nhmacusr]

I got everything set up this weekend.

My new cabinet with the new Gerstner base.

http://webpages.charter.net/rkovars/IMG_0284.JPG

http://webpages.charter.net/rkovars/IMG_0285.JPG

A better shot of the rod tube holder.

http://webpages.charter.net/rkovars/IMG_0287.JPG[/img]

[Solid]

Where did you get that table that you modified into a fly rod tube holder? $$?

[FLY FIS]

I've been staring at your pictures in complete awe. Very serious about tying and being comfortable when doing so. Congrats on having so masterfully put that area together. You might find in the future some copycats, but hope you don't mind as you have done such a great job. Nice work!!!

[nhmacusr]

Where did you get that table that you modified into a fly rod tube holder? $$?

I got it at the Mill Store. They advertise it as a magazine rack end table. It cost me around $50.

Link (http://www.millstores.com/display.ccml?141,0,220839,cc220839,,,Index,cat11G. html)

It is about half way down the page. They have sales all the time, I am sure you can get it cheaper. I got the desk there as well.

I just need to get off my duff and get the finishing done. :)

Note: Just a quick note. That parawood is really hard. Make sure you have a good drill when you start boring holes.

[nhmacusr]

I've been staring at your pictures in complete awe. Very serious about tying and being comfortable when doing so. Congrats on having so masterfully put that area together. You might find in the future some copycats, but hope you don't mind as you have done such a great job. Nice work!!!

I don't mind, that's why I posted the pics. Hopefully it will generate some ideas out there.

[SIslandBrowns]

nhamcusr,

I thought I was being clever when I bought an old flip-top desk at a second hand store - I liked it because it's a bureau style with 3 full-sized drawers to hold stuff, plus it has all sorts of cubby-holes and drawers at the back of the desk section.

Neanderthal compared to your set-up - WOW, very nice.

Dave

[nhmacusr]

That's a cool idea though. I saw a desk in a catalog recently (Rogue Angler I think it was) that was along the same idea.

[Banks10]

nhmacusr,
I like your set up a lot. A year ago I built a work bench in my basement. The bench was set in the corner with two angled sides to fit into the corner. One side is standard height where you could stand and work on a project (cutting a board etc.) the other side drops down so you could sit in a chair and work on something. I built this prior to getting into tying flies, but I'm glad I did it this way. I have completely converted the sittable side into my fly tying area. All my materials are hung above on a shelf and pegboard, easily reachable.
I also stole your idea with the hole cut into the table. I attached a paper bag under the hole to catch discards. It is so easy to keep the area clean now. I'll have to get a picture up here, but it doesn't look as nice as your setup. It works though.