Head cement

[paflyfisher]

Can superglue be used as head cement for tying flies?

[Garic]

Yes it can Paf, I use it quite a lot, but sometimes it dries with a white cloudiness.

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Born to fish, forced to work.

[Buddy Sanders]

PAF,

Works great for some applications, mostly where all you want is for the head cement to keep the thread in place. I prefer it where I can use it.

For me, it works for 90% of the flies I tie for bass, and about 60% of the trout flies.

If how the 'head' looks is important, then you need something that builds, like lacquer or that incredibly expensive stuff they sell in the fly shops that are labeled as 'head cement'.

Good Luck!

Buddy

[Jim Hatch]

Hi PA FF,

It will definitly hold your threads in
place, but it can sometimes discolor as has
been mentioned. I sometimes "butter" a
short section of thread with it and wrap it
wet and clip it. Works for me.

For general head cement usuage though I
most often use Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails.
It's about 2 bucks at Wallyworld for a small
applicator bottle. Warm regards, Jim

[streamcaddis]

I use " Hard as Nails ' on my streamer heads. It makes really shiny and smooth. Works good. The rest of my flies I use just plain head cement. As for super glue, I don't think I would try it.
..Streamcaddis..

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I was fly fishing and fly tying
before it got trendy

[Plain Old Jim]

Jim,
Could you please post exactly what the label says on the Sally Hansen Hard As Nails? I went into a store to see this as so many use it...and there were probably 6 different products that all said Sally Hansen Hard as Nails. I forget now what was different on each label....but I sure wasn't sure which one to pick.

I have also read on tying a certain fly to use nail "Glue". Now I assume that is not the Hard as Nails hardener but a glue to glue false nails on with. Your thoughts appreciated.

Gem

[paflyfisher]

All - thanks for your advice. Also, Jim,
Can you comment on POJ's comment regarding the hard as nails?

Regards,
paff

[Jim Hatch]

Hey folks,

My bottle says Sally Hansen across the
top. Next line in bold letters is "Hard as
Nails". It's a tall bottle, maybe 2 1/2"
tall, and about 3/4" in diameter. It has
Natural Tint and 8FFXT below that. It
contains .45 fl oz and cost $2.00. Hope
this helps. Warm regards, Jim

[Plain Old Jim]

Thanks Jim.
The one I picked and now have here at home says:

Front
Sally Hansen
Hard as Nails
.45 fl oz
Back
Clear
4400-66

I guess it is the same product, it's for hardening nails and to keep them from cracking. The paper backing says NOW + IRON.
Exclusive Iron & Epoxy Formula.

Soooooo I reckon it will work.

Gem

[ducksterman]

It'll work, POJ...I just checked at Wal-Mart since I was there....the stuff that's usually referred to is the "regular" nail polish that's in the cylinder type bottle...like yours...yours is a few pennies more probably because of the iron...[guess the flies won't get anemic]....

I use the stuff called clear shine finish...figure it must give a more glossy finish...never have compared side by side.