I want to thank all yall, great site. Everything I'm doing now is to get the grand kids involved in working with their hands, heads. I reload for rifle and revolvers too so they're getting a dose of that.

+95% of the job of a vise is to hold the hook stationary. I have been tying with a knock-off of a Thompson A vise for 50+ years. Unless you plan to do mass production tying you would get more "bang for your buck" using your money to buy quality fly-tying materials: feathers and fur. They don't come cheap, but you can not tie a quality fly without them

I've thought about not getting a rotary, I may never use one. But, I understand I don't have to use the rotary, but a grand son/grand dtr may in 20 years. It took me a long time to get into rod building and I'm loving it, if fly tying inspires the same passion I may want that rotary. You know how it goes!!

Well, ran across a Thompson A today, $12. With box and paper work and a thread thingie. And some feathers.

AND, a whip finisher



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/06/2020 08:16PM by Stan Vogel.

I totally agree with Ben! I have messed up and looked at the unfinished rod for a week trying to convince myself to move on but in the end took things apart and did it the way I'd be happy with. Plus...removing and redoing will give you some added experience. I've taken off finished wraps because I didn't like them. Good luck!

Wrapped and epoxied the guides yesterday, will do a second coat after I trim off a few bumps. Looks fantastic, I need to bother to post some pics.