Horrible dubbing material

[fritz]

wondering if any one can suggest an approach to dubbing this horrible synthetic material that i bought expressly for its color. the strands are like stiff wire bristles so that I can never get a good thread "noodle". thought about putting it into a coffee grinder and giving it a whirl a few times to see if I can't get it to break up to shorter strands. ..........HELP!

[James Smith]

I fairly certain that putting it into a coffee grinder will not make the strands any shorter. I fins that stiff dubbing materials, especially if they tend to be made from slick material are best used when mixed with a softer finer dubbing material or in a dubbing brush. What is the brand and product is the material. If you include that information others may be able to offer you more specific recommendations. Jim Smith

[bowfin47]

Try blending in some rabbit or other long soft fur. The long, soft hairs will help to hold and somewhat "tame" your synthetic.

I would use a blender half full of water with a few drops of liquid detergent (any brand) and "blend" the two materials for about 15 -20 seconds.

Drain in a wire strainer and rinse well under the faucet.

Pat dry with a few paper towels and allow to dry.

This would not chop the materials too much and will evenly blend the two materials.

[fritz]

the product is distributed by Cascade Crest Tools and the dubbing is part of their Master Bright line, Rusty Orange is the color.

[AlanB]

If you don't have a coffee grinder, or fear the material melting in one. Get hold of a small tin with a good lid, and a nut (the sort an engineer would use not a cashew). Put the dubbing and the nut in the tin, pop the lid on and shake. The more you shake it the softer the dubbing will get.
Cheers,
A.

[Ray Kunz]

Consider avoiding the anxiety. Throw it away, start over. Spend your time making up your own blend of colors using materials of better handling properties. I have been there. Good luck

[Mark Vendon]

Hi fritz,

I just took a look at it at Bob Marriots site. It says that it's mylar. Have you tried waxing your thread first? You can look up Don Ordes rope dubbing method for another option. He's a member here. You can try it in a dubbing loop, or split thread too. It looks like it would be for large type patterns as coarse as that stuff looks. Just some ideas.

Regards,
Mark

[Steven]

I can't say for this material but I've found that putting wax on my finger tips has worked with otherwise hard to use synthetic dubbings. That Arizona Peacock dubbing stuff comes immediately to mind.

[ronnie_mckee]

If you don't have a coffee grinder, or fear the material melting in one. Get hold of a small tin with a good lid, and a nut (the sort an engineer would use not a cashew). Put the dubbing and the nut in the tin, pop the lid on and shake. The more you shake it the softer the dubbing will get.
Cheers,
A.

Never heard or thought of doing this with dubbing but making a small tumbler is a great tip!

[Hans Weilenmann]

wondering if any one can suggest an approach to dubbing this horrible synthetic material that i bought expressly for its color. the strands are like stiff wire bristles so that I can never get a good thread "noodle". thought about putting it into a coffee grinder and giving it a whirl a few times to see if I can't get it to break up to shorter strands. ..........HELP!

Depends on the look&feel you want to end up.

Do not overlook split thread (or dubbing loop)

Mixing in some softer material, such as rabbit, may make the mic more manageable.

Cheers,
Hans W