Tube fly vices

[exerod]

I've always used the "shove the tube on a blunt needle and hold that in the vice" method, which works fine most of the time but is a bit of a lash up. Can anyone on here recommend a tube fly vice. I'm looking at the HMH tube fly tool, is it any good?

Cheers

Andy

[tynetraveller]

Andy, Either the Guideline Hakan Norling tube needle, a blind hook or just a long, blunt needle with a tapered build up of tying thread or a small piece of liner tube is the way to go. The tube vices at best can only recreate the same result, and in many cases are bloody awful- In my experience.

All of the above ways hold a tube securely and stop it spinning, which is all you need..

[rennie]

Used the HMH contraption for some years now it was quite expensive when I bought it but worth the brass honestly,have expanded the needle jobbies somewhat as I use a few different kinds/diameter of tube so I have botched bits of stuff to fit as I have needed to and it suits me fine.When the tube is on the needle and ready for tying the back of the tool falls in the same place as the treble will sit so its easy to judge the wing length either short,long or just right. Have tried the chuck type but having fingers like Cumberland sausages meant poor access to the tail of the tube(for me anyway).Only disadvantage is the finest needle can bend(it is very fine) with use or if you are heavy handed,but sowing shops have lots of needles you can use.In short yep go for it,its good kit. Pedro.

[exerod]

So that’s two votes for what is basically the blunt needle method.
I do like the look of your vice Alan and I can see that there is no chance of the tube spinning, where did you get it from?

Although I don’t have fingers like Cumberland sausages I can be a bit heavy handed so I think the fine needle on the HMH might not last long.

Thanks to all

Andy

[macd]

I have a tube vice- couldnt tell you the name, but does the job and was cheap as chips. Having said that I have got the norling needle which is ideal for plastic tubes.

Convential tube vices work well for metal tubes, but the needle is the boy for plastic.

[tynetraveller]

If you have access to a grinder you can buy a drill shuck for about 4 quid and grind the end flat so that it will fit in your existing vice jaws and you have the same result as springer's vice, the only problem being that it does cover the end of the tube and can cause problems with longer tails and access to the lower part of the body..

[exerod]

Great minds think alike!
I've found a pin vice from my machining days and will be modifying it in work tomorrow night!

Andy

[splicedsharpe]

Hi

About the tube needle like the one thynetraveller mentioned, I bought one in a fly fishing store here in Sweden and paid what wold be about 4-5 pound and it works fine . Then i got a tip on a Swedish forum, the needle made for #fly tying" bears close resemblance to what in Swedish is called a filtnål= felting needle which is used to work with wool. And I found them down the local "wool shop" for less than a pound and, there are two sizes/lengths. I've even found them cheaper on the net, by ten get them for 50p/each. Now I don't know if it's the same needle but it looks very similar check out this this page www.mielkesfarm.com/flt_ndls.htm I have no connection to this site and I don't sell wool products
Don't know what you paid thynetraveller but I'm sure it was more than a pound !?

Regards

Jan

[jock]

I just use a standard vice. To hold the tube, I use, depending on ID / tube material and length, single salmon hooks with the eye removed, needles and paper clips. Tying for my own use this is all I need. Maybe the pros. can justify the expense of specialist vices and attachments but I can't. I'd rather spend the money on an extra day fishing