Fly tying vice base.

[MikeJhn]

I am looking for ideas to make a decent size Fly Tying vice base, most are about 190mm x 75mm or thereabouts, I'm thinking a large piece of Oak bottom recessed and lead inserted, I can then rout whatever I want on top, any better ideas?

 

[Sideways]

Sounds like a great idea.
You'll be routing etc so any hard, close grain wood would be ideal.
As a kid, I remember melting lead off old lead sheathed electrical wires with my dad. Old saucepan on a gas burner outside, and pouring weights for beachcasting. You could cast an insert for the base of your block.
On the top, the plate you picture above could be secured to your stand using that high performance pressure sensitive adhesive used for fixing dashcams and the like to the inside of windscreens.

 

[MikeJhn]

Thanks for the thoughts.

Did all kids Dads melt lead for sea fishing I know mine did as well.

The only thing I want to attach to the base is the stem boss and a magnet to hold hooks, had thought of your route, but discounted that as defeating the object of making a nice looking base.

Stem insert sorted:

https://scottieproducts.co.uk/shop/...vice-accessories-fly-tying-tools-2/stem-boss/

 

[MikeJhn]

Just seen this on e-bay, don't think there would be much of a market in the UK:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/22637677...lp:3959035&itmmeta=01JB1MQFXZ2E4MWJ5P8247F10C

 

[MikeJhn]

Looking for an off-cut from a Granite worktop at the moment.

 

[Lons]

Looking for an off-cut from a Granite worktop at the moment.

It's a shame you're at the other end of the country I probably have a bit of granite and definitely have 25mm thick solid surface kitchen worktop which is almost as heavy and easier to work with.

I'm a fly fisherman and tyer as well an have a tying station I lift on to my desk. The amount of tying materials I've collected over the years is, in my wife's words " ......... crazy"

 

[ChaiLatte]

Looking for an off-cut from a granite worktop at the moment.

That might be a little thin.

Worktop suppliers might give you the sink cut out for nothing.

An alternative could be a granite pastry or food-prep board (Buy and Queue £20). Also sold as chapatti boards.

Or, dare I say, do you know any monumental masons?

With the routed, lead-filled base, maybe the underside perimeter would benefit from a sort of half dovetail, so even if the lead shrinks, it cannot drop out

 

[MikeJhn]

@Lons Ditto with amount of materials, what I find most annoying is the amount of thread reels I never use, but make space for them on bits of dowel glued into my station.

@ChaiLatte Granite worktop come in at up too 40mm thick.

Worktop suppliers generally sell on sink cut outs as cutting boards.

Monumental masons chip the off cuts to spread on monuments.

Any Lead filled grove on the base will have a metal cover with a felt/cork bottom to prevent scratching the worktop surface of my bench.

 

[Lons]

@Lons Ditto with amount of materials, what I find most annoying is the amount of thread reels I never use, but make space for them on bits of dowel glued into my station.

@ChaiLatte Granite worktop come in at up too 40mm thick.

Worktop suppliers generally sell on sink cut outs as cutting boards.

Monumental masons chip the off cuts to spread on monuments.

Any Lead filled grove on the base will have a metal cover with a felt/cork bottom to prevent scratching the worktop surface of my bench.

I used to fit a lot of kitchens as part of my business Mike. Didn't keep much granite but the solid surface material is useful for all sorts of projects and turns nicely. That's my excuse anyway.

If you have any industrial estates nearby have a drive around looking for any kitchen companies as they throw smaller bits in the skip, usually bigger than you need. Skips cost a lot of money and a nice smiley ask to a receptionist will get you something suitable FOC