Has anone come up with a simple home made dubbing twister? Tried to order from Cabelas but it is more or less permantely out of stock I was told.
Thanks
Gent
I got some brass cabinet knobs and some small Eye Bolts that would screw into the knob from Home Depot. I then opend the Eye Bolt Loop to form a Hook. Cost about $2 each. Works perfect. Also look in the Tying Tips Section under Features where it says Dubbing Loop Tool. There is a similar one to the one I make. John
Are you looking for a “dubbing twister” or a “dubbing whirl”?? There is a difference. What bassman describes is a dubbing whirl and James Smith makes a dubbing twister block plus there are dubbing twisters with just a handle with a hook to hook the dubbing loop thread.
I have several fly supply vendors I could refer you too, but, really need to know what you are looking for. There is even one dubbing twister made from a paperclip that I have made and used and it works very well.
Thanks Warren I think the paper clip idea is what I am looking for. Just something to twist dubbing in a loop if you have a pic of it I would appreciate it .
thanks
Gent
thanks John will look there as well.
Your very welcome. Sorry I misundertood just what you were looking for. Mine twist the dobbing while hanging from the hook. John
I make my dubbing loops with a pair of cheap English Hackle Pliers. I just make a loop with the thread, attach the hackle pliers to the end of the loop, fill the loop with dubbing, then “twirl” the pliers to form the loop. Of course the next step is to use the pliers that are already attached to wrap the loop onto the fly.
-Darryl
I have a friend who make dubbing twisters out of coat hangers. Its a little harder than it looks to get the thread attachment point in line with the shaft of the twister so that it turns smoothly; not critical a nice feature.
A teacup hook in a wood dowel works as well.
arend003,
I knew you were going to ask for a picture of the paperclip twister! I am at work and cannot get access to one until I get home and that means after 10pm tonight due to assisting another gentleman with a Fly Casting class after work.
Here is what I can do for you now:
On FAOL menu click on Fly Tying and then click on Tying Tips and go to the bottom and click on Archives of Tying Tips
Scan down the tying tips subject on the right hand side until you come to "Making The Easy Door Knob Dubbing Loop Tool. This is the one that was mentioned and it is a good one. It would be considered a dubbing whirler and I use and like them.
Also look on the left side and scan down until you come to “Dubbing Loop Basics” and you will see a dubbing twister that is made from a paperclip and lead fishing weight. It is a dubbing twister that will work great.
You can also purchase for about $2.00 from Radio Shack what is called an Electronics Test Clip. It can be used just like the other suggestion for using your hackle pliers to twist your dubbing loop. If you go with it, you will have 2 tools. Hackle pliers and dubbing twister.
And my last suggestion which I hope you will take is come to my “Beginners Fly Tying Class” this October here in Tennessee! 
I would love to have you as a student. It is only 1 night per week for 5 weeks at 3 hours per night. All you need to do is put in for vacation for 5 weeks and since the class is on Thursday evenings, we could fish all the other days! 
So, What do you say?! Are you up for it?! Can I look forward to seeing you!
Thanks Warren … umm might have to take you up on the class have a lot of vacation time lol
I found the article on making a dubbing spinner. I have made a number of similiar spinners out of various knobs that I have obtained here and there. The most unique from the wheelhouse from an old fishing vessel off the coast of Alaska. Its a tab heavy but very attractive. In any case, I have found that the spinners work better if they are reversed from the one pictured in the article. Its a little more trouble as you need to drill a centered hole in the face the the knob in which to epoxy the hook. With the appropriate size hole there is no need for the bead. They seem to spin better this way and you also have a smaller shaft to ease the spinning by the thumb and forefinger.
I use an o-ring removal tool to twist up dubbing loops. They are available at hardware or autoparts stores. They look like a looped over dental pick. (or a question mark with a handle.) I also use it to apply the dubbing loop. you just have to remember to keep the open side of the hook pointed the way you are winding.
Kirk
My dubbing whirl is made from a 4" length of coat hanger wire. I tapered one end and bent it into a small hook, then used epoxy putty to attach several fender washers for weight. It’s not real pretty, but it gets the job done!
Thanks to everyone for e help … think I have a handle on it now … and hope it helps with my big fingers to dub a bit better … thanks again .
Gent