how many bobbins?

[fishdontcare]

curious to know how many bobbins you "casual" (not commercial) tiers have/use, and predominately what kind, ie. ceramic, etc. Brand is not neccesary.
thanks!

[kodiaksalmon]

I've got six on my table, and I use ceramic.

[cabezon]

I have four ceramics and two non-ceramics that I rarely use.

Steve

[luv2fly2]

i have 7. 5 are ceramic and 2 others kind which are for lead and 4 strand floss. mike w

[Mumbles]

I have six of the metal retractable bobbins that my father in law gave me...can't remember the manufacturer. Something nordic I think. I also have a bunch of other ones. I don't think I have any ceramic, I use what I have or what you'll send me.

[Ethan G.]

I have the one non-ceramic that came with my beginner's fly tying kit and have never seen a reason to upgrade or get more. One seems to do me just fine.
-Ethan

[1morecast]

5 all ceramic..

[Brian Thomas]

I have about a dozen , but only four of them get regular use . I use one for wire , another for floss , and I have two Nor-vise bobbins for thread as I`ll sometimes use two different color threads on a single fly .

[Jeff D]

I am new into fly tying about 2 months now and I was just thinking about this last night. I have 2 at the moment - one is the nor-vise bobbin and it's great now that I'm getting use to it. The other one is from my kit.

I would like to have a 3rd bobbin immediatly soon and that should do me for a whuile.

[Steven Green]

I've been tying for a while now, and I have one bobbin. Which begs the question, what are you using the other 4 or 5 for?

[gigharborflyfisher]

Geez I only have two sitting on my desk... never really needed any more than that, and rarely use both...

[FT]

About 26 total.

16 of them are the S&M Bobbins I use for different colors of 6/0, 7/0, and 8/0 thread.

The others are Griffin Ceramics I use for flat-waxed nylon, Uni-Stretch, and Uni-Floss.

Having all these bobbins just makes life easier when tying because I don't have to change thread spools to change colors, I simply pick up another bobbin.

[Tim Cottage]

Approx 6 or 8, a variety of brands, most but not all ceramic, most standard size with a few smaller for small Pearsall's spools. I use them for a wide variety of threads. I wrap all floss (silk) and wire by hand without a bobbin.

It definitely makes life easier than changing spools all the time.

TC

[hikepat]

About a doz each with diffrent colors and sizes of thread.
Most are not ceramic and one is the SM that I used to hate and almost a few years ago threw out but now love for heavier threads so I am glad I did not get rid of it.

[Ron Eagle Elk]

Two Nor-Bobbins and a bout 12 loaded spools for them, Two Wasatch bobbins for Pearsalls tying silk. All ceramic tubes.

[flytire]

6 tiemco ceramics

[ctyazfan]

2 standard size Wasatch Bobbins and 2 no names that I use for wire...

too many bobbins equals clutter in my world.

[Steven Green]

About 26 total.

:eek:

[chattmr]

I've been tying for over 20 years, and I have only 3 (non-ceramic). One always has black uni-thread, another always has white uni-thread, and the last one I change out as needed. I concur with ctyazfan that too many = clutter, and I have never been able to justify buying a ceramic bobbin when my old ones work fine...

[niner]

I have quite a few, some get more use than others, but I also have one for wire, and two for different color chenille. I gotta tell you chenille on a bobbin is very nice. I have one ceramic and looking to get more since I believe one cannot have too many bobbins. If they start to clutter, but them in a drawer or something :)

[fly punk]

I use about 8. All ceramic. I use the non-ceramics for wire and what not. My favorite bobbins are the Rite-bobbins with the adjustable tension. It works nice because i use mostly 10/0 and 14/0 thread.

[Salmo_g]

3. My favorite is my classic Materrelli stainless, non-ceramic. One is a clunky Herter's, also stainless, and I don't use it so much. The 3rd is a "newer" ceramic one, between 10 and 15 years old. Never occurred to me to get a different bobbin for each color or type of thread.

Sg

[fxp]

about 20 or so. one for each spool of thread plus wire, mono line, floss, anything that can be wound on a spool. partly because i dont like fiddling with replacing spools and rethreading but mostly because i make them myself so i can have as many as i want cheaply. they are all "ceramic equivalent" and never cut the thread. i also like them because you can apply the material as you wind it on and do not have to pre cut it. just finish winding, tie off the material and cut it at the hook so there is never any waste. haven't used it for chenille yet but i probably will now. clutter is avoided by sticking them all in a homemade stand** with the thread on top. i just reach for the color and start tying. i have one size for thread and one for floss. i'll send one if any are interested, but i don't sell them (strictly utilitarian and not suitable for marketing).

**i have also found a free stand - an empty ammo tray, eg. 9mm or 38 special caliber, fixed to my tying stand top. the plastic "wells" are just deep enough to stand the bobbin holders spool side up.

[Scott Keith]

Geeze.. I only have 1. I think I'm going to go out and buy a dozen or so. I've never really thought about how much easier it would be if I had a whole bunch already loaded up.

Scott

[Grayone]

Seven..............all sorts........Maybe I do need a few others????

Keith

[Kent Lufkin]

4 or 5. Most are Matarelli-style flared metal but I do have one ceramic. I keep all but one loaded with different colored 8/0 thread in black, olive, red, and dun. I have a larger clunky metal one that I use for wrapping lead wire.

K

[Daryle Holmstrom]

Two Nor-Bobbins and a bout 12 loaded spools for them, Two Wasatch bobbins for Pearsalls tying silk. All ceramic tubes.

Me Too;)

[Mumbles]

I have a bunch, one nor-bobbin, three ceramics and then a dozen or so other metal versions. It beats re-threading. I like the idea of putting other tie in materials like mono and holographic flash on bobbins, might make things work easier.

[canyon45]

10 -12 bobbins. It makes life easier. Plus, an important part of fly tying is accumulating tools, materials, odds and ends that you will never use. Never let anyone convince you that tying their own flies is economical.

[D3Smartie]

I have 2 ceramic and 2 non. Use all 4 and wish i had about 4 or 5 more ready to go.

[D3Smartie]

Never let anyone convince you that tying their own flies is economical.
iagree for 99% of us. there are times when it makes sense but in the long run, never.:thumb:

[wolverine]

14 total in the tying cave. 9 are ceramic. I don't even want to count my snips & shears or other gadgets. Every year I get more tools as stocking stuffers at Christmas. Not complaining as thet do all get used. In my travel tying bag I've got another 3 ceramic bobbins.

[flytyerboy95]

i probaly have 4-5 i only use one and just switch thread CONSTANTLY

[Calvin1]

Just one.

[fxp]

i have put together the detailed instructions, with pictures, for making your own bobbins. i estimate the cost at about $1.50 per bobbin. i'll post it or pm it or email it on request.
or here's a link to it
http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=37091&view=findpost&p=322659

[fxp]

here are full instructions with pictures for making your own bobbins

[fishdontcare]

interesting idea. thanks for taking the time to share your talents. nice job.

[fxp]

Thanks for the kind word. I have an updated version of making your own bobbins with more details and diagrams including an ultra simple jig and tool for making the frame. The file size is too large for attachment but I'll gladly email it to any who pm me with an email address.
thanks
FXP

[Old Man]

I haven't tied any flies in over two years now. Hell I probably forgot how to. I think that the last time I tied I had about four metal and one ceramic and one nor-vise one with three spools. Now they just collect dust.

Jim

[Happy Gilmore]

1/2 doz or so griffin ceramic's..

and a couple of Ekich's, anyone else have/use these? Haven't got back to tying since receiving them so haven't used mine just yet. Likely this winter. Highly recommended by a few I respected,

http://www.automaticbobbin.com/