Fly Tying Station & Work Bench

[jrodell27]

Hey guys just built this the past couple of days. I've got very limited carpentry knowledge and basically used a rip saw, a drill with some various drill bits for holes, a hammer, small bottle of Elmer's wood glue, and a tape measure. Used a piece of plywood about 22" x 25", x1 10' section of 2"x4", x1 1"x1" 10' section of square wood length, 1x1 cedar 5' section, and 1/2"x3" cedar plank all of which were lying around in a garage. To be honest, the wood isn't in the best shape and even after spending an hour sanding everything down it seemed this was the best look I was going to get. It's super functional thus far and that's all that matters for me right now.

WorkBenchTotal.jpg (203.76 KiB) Viewed 7575 times

Here's a link to the album: http://imgur.com/a/G7qYg

I made a basic work station out of plywood with a tool holder on the side by stacking some of the 1x1 square length pieces and cut them about 2" long and laid them on their sides. A few finishing nails with a 1x1 cedar piece made a great bar for holding the tools. I used various sizes of the basic drill bits and a small pocket knife saw to drill out holes for holders. You'll notice some handmade tools such as bobbin holders and bodkins in the rack. The crappy shelving/cubby bins were made by simply cutting the 1x1 pieces to fit the space and with some wood glue. I affixed a couple of 1/2"x3" cedar planks vertically and then nailed in another length on the top (with extra wood glue) for a simple shelf that I can store my bins of beads, hooks, nails, and other items. Across the back side I have inserted dowells which were actually skewers for ka-bob's and cut them (roughly) to the same height. In front I also wanted a drying rack so I added a couple of those 1x1 blocks and glued them in place with a couple of holes drilled into the sides for inserting a full length skewer. I have 2 rows off-set, one for smaller & bare hooks and another rack for fluffier and full bodied hooks. Lastly on the left side I made a simple arm setup out of a couple pieces of 1x1 cedar strips and some holes drilled through them with a partially inserted screw. I plan to grab some thicker washers and replace the box with a tupperware plastic jar that will affix to this arm more sturdy. The reasoning for an arm function was simply for s*itz & giggles.

This is a prototype for me and I look forward to building something a lot nicer and more professional/longer lasting for my future years of tying. Just getting into everything and have a lot to learn, build, and collect. If you guys have any cool designs and work stations post them for everyone to see!

[Bodofish]

It looks great! For me it looks like your vice may be a bit close but I'm sure you can move it. I've been thinking of a caddy of sorts to hold all the tools and things and a low box to go under the vice to catch the trimmings. Too many projects and not enough time. I'll be looking forward to the next iteration.

[goodtimesfishing]

Great idea! Nice to have everything organized. Every time I tie it ends up looking like a bomb went off! Wouldn't mind making something like that myself.

[schu7498]

Great work! Very impressive!

[Mike Carey]

Very nice. Function over looks every time in my book. I do see a flaw though - as you get more fly tying stuff you'll wish it was twice as big, at least that's how it works whenever I make fishing related stuff. I outgrow it way too fast!

[Gringo Pescador]

Great job! I found a little roll top desk at Goodwill for cheap. Cleaned it up and that is my station. Now you got me thinking of what I can do with it to make it for functional for tying. Like Mike said my challenge is not filling it to the point I can't close the thing

[Bodofish]

Very nice. Function over looks every time in my book. I do see a flaw though - as you get more fly tying stuff you'll wish it was twice as big, at least that's how it works whenever I make fishing related stuff. I outgrow it way too fast!
Gringo Pescador » Sat Nov 01, 2014 8:08 am

Great job! I found a little roll top desk at Goodwill for cheap. Cleaned it up and that is my station. Now you got me thinking of what I can do with it to make it for functional for tying. Like Mike said my challenge is not filling it to the point I can't close the thing

OMG! I can't even begin count the ways that's so true!!!! And as we get closer to Jan, all I can think about is the Sportsmans Show and the Boat Show, I can already feel the storage containers in my office/indoor shop and the garage getting just a bit tighter.........

[jrodell27]

It looks great! For me it looks like your vice may be a bit close but I'm sure you can move it. I've been thinking of a caddy of sorts to hold all the tools and things and a low box to go under the vice to catch the trimmings. Too many projects and not enough time. I'll be looking forward to the next iteration.

Thanks - the vise may be a bit close. Going to tweak the design on this prototype and get on a design for a nicer more functional version for the long term.

Great idea! Nice to have everything organized. Every time I tie it ends up looking like a bomb went off! Wouldn't mind making something like that myself.

Exactly why I started building this to begin with - was tired of an exploded arts and crafts bomb every time I wanted to do some tying!

Great work! Very impressive!

Thanks!

Very nice. Function over looks every time in my book. I do see a flaw though - as you get more fly tying stuff you'll wish it was twice as big, at least that's how it works whenever I make fishing related stuff. I outgrow it way too fast!

Now that you mention it, i think you are right. Little room for expansion! That means I get to hit the drawing board and make a bigger better one then, right? ;)

Great job! I found a little roll top desk at Goodwill for cheap. Cleaned it up and that is my station. Now you got me thinking of what I can do with it to make it for functional for tying. Like Mike said my challenge is not filling it to the point I can't close the thing

Thanks! I thought having something like this until I get a desk like a rolltop system you have would be a good setup for the near future. Even then I'm sure getting a piece of plywood to lay on the desk top and adding some wood chunks for holders and other features for tying would be a fun project to do. Post some images if you ever get to it Gringo!