SpokaneDude 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2018 Anyone know where I can find this tool (or any tool) that splits duck quill barbs into even parts? This came from Tim Cammasa's video on Tying a Quill Wing Dry Fly... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeBillingsley 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2018 This, maybe? https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-OLD-FLY-FISHING-THOMPSON-WING-FORMER-D-H-THOMPSON-FLY-TYING-ILLINOIS/312050564576?hash=item48a7a9bde0:g:EhwAAOSwndZaZRe2 Or? https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-OLD-FLY-FISHING-THOMPSON-WING-FORMER-D-H-THOMPSON-FLY-TYING/312050561934?hash=item48a7a9b38e:g:wnEAAOSwLUpaZRW3 I have no idea if this is what youre looking for, but maybe...... Joe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjm 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2018 simple draftsman dividers will do equal parts one at a time Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpokaneDude 0 Report post Posted January 29, 2018 Joe: that's it! (especially the 2nd one, with the plates); however, it's too much money right now, and I think the draftsman dividers will do the same thing for less money... Thank you both, I appreciate your time... SD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bellevue.chartreuse.trout 0 Report post Posted January 29, 2018 ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flytire 0 Report post Posted January 29, 2018 just count the barbs. free Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old Hat 0 Report post Posted January 29, 2018 The Thompson divider does more than just divide the quill. You lay a line of glue along the quill. The device splits the quills equally and tight at the base. Once dried you have a full quill feather with ready made wings. Just trim and attach. It is slick and fine for Fishing flies but you can certainly tie better wings just individually cutting them. If you would really like one I would be happy to send you mine. Just PM me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1hook 0 Report post Posted January 29, 2018 Very kind of you old hat! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gene L 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2018 Classic Fly Tyer has a video on the Thompson tool. I don't tie enough quill wings to want one, and when I do, I use a divider. Works just fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpokaneDude 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2018 Gene L: I found that I don't really have the money for the Thompson tool at this time, even tho' I would love to have one... but I did go out into my shop this morning (34 degrees) and lo and behold I found an old pair of machinist's dividers I had purchased many years ago... and yes, they work just fine separating the barbs into "wings"... the only thing missing is the ability to crimp the base so the "wing" has a definitive separation at the base! Interesting conversations... thanks everybody for participating... :-} SD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crackaig 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2018 Use a hook of the same model you are tying on, but one size smaller. Perfect wing slips. All you have to do now is turn them into perfect wings. Cheers, C. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cphubert 0 Report post Posted February 1, 2018 Herters had one (probably Thompson manufactured) you can make one with a balsa stick and common pins pushed through at the desired widths can make multiple pins and separate whole quills all spaced the same. used to make one for each size I was tying. now all i use are fine point drafting dividers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Meeshka 0 Report post Posted February 1, 2018 spokane dude I havn't seen that winging tool available in probably 40 years, but remember a fellow who had one - and it did work pretty slick Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chugbug27 0 Report post Posted February 1, 2018 Use a hook of the same model you are tying on, but one size smaller. Perfect wing slips. Wing Gauge.jpg All you have to do now is turn them into perfect wings Cheers, C. This one gets my vote, simple, effective, nothing new to buy... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjm 0 Report post Posted February 1, 2018 just count the barbs. free Exactly what I do. The wing dividers only work best for a specific size feather and a specific size wing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites