Hay what type of bottle or applicator, is the best as a general purpose type.
I guess I am looking for what do you all use to apply head cement.
Not so much as to what type of head cement but what is the delivery method…
Thanks in advance for any response
Ducksterman …
Do you remove the lids or does the cement come through the syringes ?
don’t you risk a puncture wound trying to remove the lids.
looks like they would deliver a precise dose of cement.
thanks
I dont use head cement anymore except in very rare occasions.
But if I do I just use sally hansens hard as nails in the regular bottle it came in. But I cut the applicator brush down to about half the size so that it delivers a more precise droplet.
hope it helps.
F&T1
understand I do and don’t use cement it now just up to the moment. but if I use it on a bunny fly I want a precise application, same for small drys that are going to get hit hard.
Thanks
Note that thinning your cement within reason will result in a smaller droplet size.
This is a help when tying smaller flies.
Any glass applicator jar and bodkin doesnt work as well as a Squeeze Applicator. A convenient way to dispense exactly where you want,and the right amount. A fine tube ideal for small flies with needle closure to prevent clogging and evaporation. BILL
Since every method I have tried that utilizes fancy applicator bottles or squeeze bottles eventually results in evaporation; I now keep the regular cap on the bottle of the cement of my choice 90% of the time.
When I am tying; I take off the cap and pop in JUST the plastic cone and built in brass bodkin that came with my Mattarelli Head Cement Applicator Bottle. This method keep the evaporation to a minimum and is a lot easier than either constantly unscrewing caps or other stoppers. Plus the built in bodkin that comes with the Mattarelli bottle is just the right length and reaches to the bottom of the bottle I use it with.
duckster,
Like you I use a number of ‘containers’ but I never thought of using salt & pepper bottles. They look perfect because the weight would appear to give better balance. One question: Why do you leave the needle coming out of the top of the cork? Doesn’t that create some hazzard?
Lastly, I also use thinned out GOOP. Excellent stuff but the only drawback is the Tolulene. Is there another solvent that can be used?
Deezel
Deezel and FFF,
Those aren’t ‘syringes’ that Duckster is using, just needles. A.K. Best’s book, Production Fly Tying, shows this method, and it’s one I’ve adopted as simple and efficient.
You pass them through the cork stopper so that it’s ‘adjustable’ as the cement is used up. This way, when you remove the cork with the applicator needle from the bottle, it has the proper sized droplet of cement on it.
I covered the top end of mine with a glass bead so that it won’t stick me, but I’m clumsy and prone to injury from lack of attention/general stupidity.
I use glass ‘airbrush’ bottles for this that you can get at any hobbie store. Shorter with more diameter for their height, so they are harder to knock over (see part about ‘clumsy’ above…). Any glass container will do.
You can get the corks in the proper size at most well stocked Ace hardware stores and the needles at any craft/fabric store. They sell long pins that already have a bead on the top in the wedding sections, but I’m cheap and got the straight ones with the eyes and just spent an hour or two modifying them…saved a whole three cents that way…The ‘eyed’ ones ARE a bit stiffer…
I use plain old lacquer for the head cement. I keep one bottle ‘regular’ consistency and one thinned down for penetration.
Good Luck!
Buddy
Flyfishfairwx…those are not syringes but stiff wires of different diameters which helps control the droplet size.
Deezel…the wires could be a little shorter …haven’t bothered since it’s not been a problem…
The wires are adjusted depending on the amount of liquid in the bottle and also depending on viscosity…most of the time I just want the wire to go into the liquid a short distance…as the liquid gets used up the wire can be pushed deeper and deeper…
This was discussed a little in the current other thread …“bodkin”.
Duckster,
Okay and thanks. I thought you were using needles. Wire makes sense too.
Deezel
There’s only one real answer to this, And after trying EVERY method and or applacator type out there… The Dyna King head cement reservoir is the best way of keeping head cement to date. Not cheap though…
Bill;
If you’re speaking of the DK “machined aluminum” cement bottle, that’s good to know!
I’ve looked at them, before, but could never find anyone that had used one!?!! If, YOU do, could you please elaborate a bit more on what you’re experience has been with one?
Duckster,
I gotta ask, Are those a pair of salt and pepper shaker’s?..Just courious…and a great idea as well if they are!
Fb,
I’d never part with mine!..Been using it for around 2 years now without once having to thin the cement since filling it the first time…had to add a couple times…but the cement stays nice and runny, Just the way I like it!.
Yes, they are…got them at a Dollar Store…$1/pair…but they may be hard to find now
Some great ideas here, guys. Thanks!
I really like that it fits perfectly in the front center compartment in the tray of my Oasis “Fly Factory” Tying bench!, Right were you can easily get to it. without any hassle whatsoever.
Thanks All
I use a squeeze bottle, that has a syringe and it works the best for my now but I have to tye some very small drys and was looking for something to give me an even smaller droplet, I think I will try the Shaker and needle set up. Thanks Ducksterman, and everybody else of course…