Regis Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 Appreciate all the help/tips and here's a tiney payback for tying hair ends. I've found that the very thin, very strong, and waxed thread I use for fly tying is great for tying hair. Even the spool/thread feeder makes tying those ends tight and very neat (even with larger fingers). Using different Colors is also a good way to ID different hair lots or quality. Regis, who is very thankful for this forum to learn from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 Thanks for the tip. I originally started using button-carpet thread myself, then switched to a waxed dental floss with good results. Fly-tyers line you say? I'll have to give it a shot being a fly-fisherman myself. Not a fly-tyer yet but I'll probalby get sucked into that sooner or later! Just what I need, another money pit!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
administrator Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 What a great idea! I love this forum for all the ideas you folks give me... How much did you pay for a spool? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regis Posted January 14, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 I only have small spools 50yard flat waxed and they are $3.50 - $5 depending on where you buy. I would buy at a 'real' fly shop and not big discount house though. Better chance of good quality and explaination of differences. Regis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiddlecollector Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 Fly tying shops are a great source of silk and tinsel for bows,alot cheaper than comparable products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Tucker Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 Here's another tip for knot tying. When you have your knot tied and excess hair trimmed - don't drop superglue into the end of the hairs because it has a habit of wicking in past the knot fairly easily. Put a small amount on the workbench surface and brush the cut ends of the hair in it. If you use the right amount, (very little) only enough glue to reach the knot will wick up into the hairs. After that drys you can safely glue the knot itself and the hair ends again if you like. Then I hit it with a tiny hair dryer to dry it quickly. If the mortice is very small and you want all the room you can get for the wedge, it is possible to run whatever hair there is that sticks out the end of the knot flat on the belt sander - right up against the knot - be careful not to touch the thread windings with the belt at all though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Dorsey Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 I've always been happy using heavy duty nylon thread from a sewing store. It might seem like you need three hands -- two to tie the knot and one to hold the hair. But it can be done easily with two hands if the spool of thread is attached to the workbench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackc Posted January 15, 2004 Report Share Posted January 15, 2004 I've found 2 hands to be enough since I got some waxed thread from Pioneer Valley. I have the spool attached to the end of the rehair fixture with a screw. Tight enough to give significant resistance to turning. The fly tying thread sounds like a thing to try though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Tucker Posted January 15, 2004 Report Share Posted January 15, 2004 I hold one end of the thread between my teeth. I'm having a nervous breakdown just thinking of doing it any other way... By the way - I have intentionally avoided using waxed anything because I had concerns about the glue holding over the long haul. Have any of you that use waxed thread or floss ever had any problems with the knot? I use Coats and Clark 26% cotton 74% polyester button/craft thread. The one that says EXTRA STRONG right on the spool. It’s very much stronger than regular thread, and yet it’s really thin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland Posted January 15, 2004 Report Share Posted January 15, 2004 I myself initailly was concerned about the wax preventing the glue from holding the knot, but so far no problems. The floss (or waxed thread) seems to kind of grip itself and hold together very well once you tie it. The button-carpet thread is a real pain (quite literally) to hold and tie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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