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Over the years I have used many different head cements, including Herter's from the 70's.
I have about 7-8 different kinds on my bench but have been using Hard as Hull the last few months.
What is your favorite head cement(s) and why do you prefer it or them?
Boy, be prepared for the 'heady' responses!
I personally was pretty keen on Dave's Flexament until my bottle solidified. I need to get some stuff to soften it, but keep forgetting.
Currently I use the super glue I have when I feel the need/desire.
Usually, I use nothing (if the fly is for my use) since they usually get left in a tree or on a rock long before they start to come apart. I think all of last year I had 2 come apart, one was a Royal Wulff and the peacock broke and came unwound, the othe was a gurgler where the foam back wore through due to a mean old bass.
Don
Sally Hansons when I use it. That's usually when I am using hair.
I use Griff's Thin for all flies under size 12 when I use it at all. For bigger stuff I use Sally Hansen, thinned a little.
I use Loctite SuperGlue liquid with the little brush applicator most of the time unless I want a nice glossy or enamel finish or I need to reinforce some quill fiber sections for wings, then I use clear Sally.
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Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL
"Flip a fly"
Sally Hansen leads the pack on my bench. Particularly since the last bottle of Fleximent ended up being a poor excuse for a paper weight.
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Snow on the roof with fire in the hearth
I prefer Dave's Flexcement. Very durable with lots of uses. Good for glueing, head cement and pre-coating fibers like turkey wings.
Thinned out GOOP is my most frequently used cement. However, I also use Hard as Nails.
Allan
Dixieangler,
"Loctite SuperGlue liquid with the little brush applicator"
I have a "squeeze" bottle of that stuff but how do you get to apply it with a brush?
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Dixieangler,
"Loctite SuperGlue liquid with the little brush applicator"
I have a "squeeze" bottle of that stuff but how do you get to apply it with a brush?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Phil,
Its a molded little plastic container that sits upright and holds a liquid bottle inside with a black winged twist cap on top. The twist cap has a little applicator brush on the bottom of it like a Sally bottle. I think it says "Easy Brush" on the bottom of the label. So the stuff stays sealed and doesn't clog like the squeeze tubes. I just dab it or brush it where I need to just like with a bottle of Sally and screw the cap back on. About three or four bucks at Wal-Mart.
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Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL
"Flip a fly"
A while back my local shop ran out of Dave's Fleximent so I went with their suggestion and bought an alternative -Griff's Thin Fly Tying Multi Coat High Gloss. I don't have to constantly thin it out like other head cements.
TyroneFly, Great stuff isn't it. I have never had a Head Cement that penatrates like it.
I guess I'm old fashioned, or maybe cheap. I use plain old Lacquer.
Buddy
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[url=HTTP://HOMETOWN.AOL.COM/RSAN2708/INDEX.HTML:cba80]HTTP://HOMETOWN.AOL.COM/RSAN2708/INDEX.HTML[/url:cba80]
I use any "cheapo" nail polish that will get the job done. But I only use cement for wets and streamers. For Dries and emergers I use a whip finish.
-Fly_Fisher_12
Pats Man,
I have to say it really is great stuff. Much easier to apply compared to Dave's Fleximent.
My local shop no longer carries Griff's Thin Fly Tying Multi Coat High Gloss. While I have enough left to last me a couple of months, do you know of a source I can contact to buy it when I need more?
Thanks.
I know these people carry it. [url=http://www.bearlodgeangler.com/wax_glue_markers.htm:7f669]http://www.bearlodgeangler.com/wax_glue_markers.htm[/url:7f669]
Ice,
I used Herter's cement for years starting in the late 1950's. I still like the smell of the Herter's brand because I associate it with relaxing fly tying sessions.
My current cement varies depending on the job requirements but for the most part I have used Fly Tite for the last couple of years. It requires much less thinning than most cememts and thins nicely with denatured alcohol. It contains no harmful fumes and dries quickly.
I also use Sally Hanson for glassy looking streamer heads. 8T
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You had better learn to be a happy camper. You only get one try at this campground and it's a real short camping season.
I picked up a bottle of Hard as Hull last year in NC while on vacation. I have to say it has rapidly become my favorite. With one drop it penetrates the thread and another drop gives the head a smooth shiney surface.
Ben
Loons Head Finish for me. Plus, the company is completely customer-oriented. When my cap started breaking due to my use of pliers (yes, I got cement on the threads), I called to buy a replacement.
They sent me a cap free of charge and another bottle of head cement. That goes a long way in my book. They sent me a few dollars worth of stuff, but I'll spend lots more on them. Good investment on their part and one satisfied customer on my part!
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Elliott W.
I tie flies to give the fish something to laugh about.
[This message has been edited by ilmbaba (edited 24 February 2005).]
For finishing the heads on my wet flies I use Griff's thin, Griff's Thick & black Pro-laq. Only the best finish will due on the Bergman Flies.
use Griff's Thin for all flies under size 12
I agree.
This penetrates thread wraps well. However, any flys I've ever had come apart in a fishing situration, have unraveled from the rear, and all the head cement in the world won't help.
Thanks for all the opinions. I just cleaned up my bench and tried to thin out two bottles of flexement with their thinner, wouldn't thin. Now have two bottles of solid flexement. Anyone else faced that problem? The flexement seems to be the worst for this problem.
Iceman , there was a thread about that...probably in Jan.....may have been started by Battenkill Jim....
RW here,
Sally's...hands down!
RW
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"We fish for pleasure; I for mine, you for yours." -James Leisenring on fishing the wet fly-