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.

 

[Tiogadog]

I have the Oasis Dubbing Brush Station. Yes, it was expensive. My wife got it for me for Christmas a few years back. It took me a bit of practice but I enjoy using it to make brushes for larger, predatory fish.

Could I have made one cheaper? Possibly, but I suck at woodworking and this functions more purposefully than one I would have built.

I actually just got mine back last night after letting a friend use it for a few weeks.

The brushes, whether store bought or made at home, make tying large streamers much easier.

 

[CLSports]

I started to buy and use those, but went back to dubbing loops. I like to be able to control the amount of dubbing and actually mix different materials. With all of these great dubbing fibers and longer lengths available, I like to do my way instead of using pre-made brushes, but to answer your question I like the EP ones and some of the Nightmare Musky ones for those flies. The latter has some awesome dubbing mixes too.

 

[TerrellBFly]

I make my own. Just a little wood working skill required to make the brush board/box. Mine has a drop table, that falls away when I spin the wire so the brush can get volume whilst spinning (prevents more trapped fibers). I can post images if you'd like when I get home. It has a hook one side to loop the wire, and the side that spins, connects to a drill so I can spin quickly. It is definitely the way to go if you'd like to save a little money and you can make up your own custom brush patterns with whatever materials you decide.

 

[TerrellBFly]

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.

The wasted material when making your own is always what gets me.... I have a bag of loose material I keep. And from time to time, I make a waste brush out of the extra material.