jim hatch

[jlm]

i have been interested in your dremel bugs, especially the jelly bean, since you first posted them. well..... i finally made the plunge and bought the stuff and set up the lathe with foot switch and all the trimmings. you neglected to mention and i didn't have enough intelligence to realize that some talent is also required. needless to say, my jelly beans do not look like yours do! i can see the potential but i am far from being there. i suppose you already knew that a dremel will cut/gring/sharpen anything it contacts including fingers. i think i would be better off to buy jelly beans from you???

[white43]

There is a very thin fine line in making this stuff work. I've been through needle switches before finally settling on doll needles, very long, thin things. I don't have the foot switch, and have realized if you go too fast the needle will turn into a sythe destroying anything in it's path. If you use a plug thing with a drill bit in the middle it won't work on the Dremel. ONce you get through the production part it really comes together quite well. There is a very fine line between success and a trip to ER. JGW

[Jim Hatch]

Hi Folks,

Glad your still playing with the dremel bugs. Me
too!*G* They are a hoot. Don't take this wrong but
I'm going to talk v e r y v e r y slowly for a
minute!*G* When you set up your dremel lathe there
are several important things to consider.

(1) Use a foot switch! All you need is a push
button type switch, on when depressed and instant
off when released, similar to a doorbell switch
but rated for 115V. What this does is allow you
to operate the dremel in very very brief bursts
while sticking your foam on your needle armature.
If the needle ever spins up to speed while your
keeping the foam from turning, it instantly glazes
the foam inside the hole made by the needle. It
will continue to spin on the needle. A real pain.
By just tapping the foot switch, the needle does
not generate enough speed to glaze the foam around
the needle. I've tried numerous ways to describe
the process but it's hard to understand until you
actually do it or see it done.*G* Perhaps when JC
gets the board finished I can send in a short video
showing the process.

(2) Do "NOT" use a fine needle. Stick with the
larger darning needles or upholstery type needles.
I have always found them in Walmart in assortments
for a buck or less. A single needle lasts me many
months.

(3) "See # (1)! It's the most important tip. If you
can insert the needle through your foam plug without
the dremel spinning up to speed, you should not
experience any problem what so ever with the foam
spinning on the shaft while turning dremel bugs.

The actual dremel foot switch is a variable speed
foot switch and quite costly. I personally am using
a "Big Foot" on/off trolling motor switch rated for
24V DC. Much heartier than the 115V AC switch but
very well suited. Normally $10, I found two on sale
for $2 each at Walmart.

You can have a lot of fun making dremel bugs. I'm
sure there are other ways than what I've described.
All I can suggest is the way I have described here
and in the article has worked very well and quite
trouble free for me. Be safe and have fun. Don't
forget to share your pictures with us. Warm regards,
Jim

[Jim Hatch]

Hi Folks,

The pic below shows a small upholstery style needle
and how it mounts in the dremel. The needle is
approx 2 1/2 inches in length and the size is quite
suitable for most bug bodies. I use it for sizes
ranging from #10 up to 2/0. The pic gives
prospective as well as how it clamps into the
dremel.


Warm regards, Jim

[Bear742]

One and All,

I admire your industry and self discipline in making these bugs the old fashion way. I have to compare you to the Beaver which is currently making a comback in the Suburbs of Chicago. The Beaver still builds dams and harvests food the old way unlike the Bear and Racoon who have lost there ability to forage and rely mostly on campground garbage cans for their meals. (BTW no bears in Chicago yet.) It is the difference between one who grows produce in a backyard garden and one whose only greens come from fast food stores. I salute you.
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However, aren't these almost as good?
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[ducksterman]

Bear742...if you are serious you miss the point

[Jim Hatch]

Hi Bear,

By all means, if your finding what you want to fish
with and not that anxious to get involved in the
design/construction of the flies/lures, your quite
right. There are a lot of neat flies on the market.
If however, your a crafty sort who likes to let his
or her creative juices flow, then you might like to
get involved in rolling some of your own.*G* It's a
case of "different strokes for different folks" and
I'm just tickled that we all have so many options
available to us.*G* Warm regards, Jim

[Bear742]

Jim,

In regards to creativity, I guess you would say I am part Beaver and part Bear. The hand crafted fly rod "Rapala" in this pic is a product of my Beaver personality.



On the other hand, for years I tried to carve out an F2 Flatfish. Eventually I just found 2-3 on eBay like a garbage picking Bear. You are right-too many things to try out.