Dubbing/Fiber brushes

[Ladove]

Just looking for feedback if anyone has any positives/negatives to using store bought brushes from fulling mill, MFC, etc. I’m leaning towards just buying them instead of building loops every time, buying a dubbing brush board, or using the complex twist method. Thanks in advance.

 

[salmo]

Please post a picture for clarity. I use Velcro on a popsicle stick.

 

[lars]

i've used EP brushes. they seem fine. pricey

 

[Ladove]

Please post a picture for clarity. I use Velcro on a popsicle stick.

This is what I mean when I say a brush. Sorry for the confusion

 

[salmo]

Oops. Never heard of it.

 

[PennKev]

Just looking for feedback if anyone has any positives/negatives to using store bought brushes from fulling mill, MFC, etc. I’m leaning towards just buying them instead of building loops every time, buying a dubbing brush board, or using the complex twist method. Thanks in advance.

I use the MFC sparkle minnow brushes quite a bit.

Pros: They've done all the hard work for me.
Cons: Inconsistent density and fiber length.

 

[fcarp]

Don’t necessarily need a dubbing brush board to make some. YouTube DIY solutions, I used the binder clip and screw gun method if you want to make your own.

Otherwise Pennkev hit all the pros and missed one con - cost. But if you’re building your own and buying wire, buying the base material, making mistakes learning how to get the brush you want, the cost probably comes out even in the end… at least in think it has for me. But I enjoyed learning to make different brushes and still do.

 

[PennKev]

Yeah the cost is fairly high for a tying material, and all the Puglesi stuff is way too expensive IMO. The MFC brushes are about as much as I care to spend on this sort of thing. However, having made my own brushes, avoiding the wasted material and huge mess is worth what MFC charges.

You don't make dubbing brushes at your tying station. You make them in your entire house. At least it seems that way once you're done and need to run the vacuum.

 

[poopdeck]

I have no positives because I never once bought a brush. I do have one negative, they are too expensive for me. I find making brushes therapeutic and I also don’t find making a dubbing loop or a brush all that time consuming or difficult. Store bought brush tables or brush “machines” are a complete waste of money and just a way to fleece fly tiers. I made mine with nothing but scraps laying around the house. I understand some people have different time constraints so I guess if you have limited fly tying time, buying preassembled brushes would be a positive.