Zap A Gap, Super Glue, or Gorilla Glue

[Raider Hunter]

I was curious if anyone here uses any of these (Zap A Gap, Super Glue, or Gorilla Glue) instead of traditional head cement. If so which do you prefer?

[ScottP]

I would be extremely leery of using Gorilla Glue on a fly; pretty tough to control the expansion during the curing process. I save the other 2 for different applications; Sally Hansen's is cheap and does the job for me.

Regards,
Scott

[DaveMac]

Sally Hansen's also provides a hard shine to finish off the fly head properly

[rainbowchaser]

I have seen some flies where I think superglue was used for head cement. It did not penetrate the thread but left a whitish lump on top of the head.

[Denny]

A few years ago at a show I was attending, Chris Helm turned me onto a head cement. Fly-Tite. by Fly-Rite, Inc, 7421 South Beyer Rd. Frankenmuth, MI 48734. phone # 989-652-9869. All other head cements I have used in the past eventually solidify in my applicator. Clog up the fine hole and or need a thinner of some kind. This stuff does not cause me any problems at all. Never have I needed to add a solvent. He also put me onto a cyanoacrylate ester (super glue) that dries in 4 seconds. It is produced by Carlson Tackle Co. Called FISHIN' GLUE" I use this when I want something glued quickly and where I do not want to wait. Has a funnel shaped snout on it and has a small brush. I snip off one half of the bristles on the brush which is attached in the lid. Never in several years of use have I experienced any problems with either of these.
If I am tying a fly that I think the head needs to be shinney, I might use the Sally Hansen's. All other products on the market do not compare for me today. I tie a lot of flies per year.
For anyone that wants more info on either of these two products, e-mail me. I do not sell them, just a more than satisfied customer.

Denny

[quivira kid]

Gorilla glue is not what you want anywhere near flies! It expands like crazy. I use Sally Hansen's clear nail polish for head cement and gluing down bead chain eyes.

[new2thefly]

You can use Gorilla Glue for making ant bodies but never for head cement, Super Glue and Zap-a-Gap to cement stuff like foam to the hook to prevent it from spinning. I would never use any of them as head cement. Nor would I use Hard-as-nails unless thinned as head cement, I think it's just too thick straight from the bottle as sold.

[Flyfish Dog]

I am sure he is talking about Gorilla Glues super glue. I have some and hate it so dont waste your money. I using Liquid Fusion now and really like this. Found it at Hobby Lobby.

[DaveMac]

Nor would I use Hard-as-nails unless thinned as head cement, I think it's just too thick straight from the bottle as sold.

I have used Hard as Nails for too many decades to count. If you are tying big flies, then the consistency is absolutely perfect to easily shape heads on streamers, atlantic salmon flies, etc... It dries "Hard as Nails" with a wonderful shiny top coat. JMHO

[jdConrad,MT]

Is regular head cement thinner OK if someone wanted to thin Hard as Nails?