…making the fly tying scene are some epoxy alternatives
one is called “Liquid Fusion”
http://www.offthehookflyshop.com/crcllifu.html
the other is “Aleenes Fabric Fusion”
http://www.createforless.com/Aleenes+Fabric+Fusion+Perm+Fabric+Adhesive+4+oz/pid143998.aspx
heres a blog about using “Aleenes Fabric Fusion”
http://caseysmartt.com/2010/02/23/aleenes-fabric-fusion/
i have NOT USED them so i cannot answer your questions about them
The Aleenes looks like an improved replacement for lots of epoxy jobs with extended drying time and more flexibility. Thanks for spreading the knowledge Norm.
Should work well on crease flies also. Sure beats mixing epoxy. Will have to give it a try. Thanks Norm.
Dave
Thanks for posting this, I’m going to give it a try.
I bought some Aleene’s fabric fusion from Micheals after hearing someone write about it on this site. Finshed a couple of Clousers with it and was very satisfied with the result. The flies were tied with white tread and I could see no yellowing at all. The finish was nice and hard and clear. It was easy to work with. Can’t see going back to epoxy unless something unexpected shows up.
Beaver
Beaver,
How did you apply it? With a brush? I just picked up a bottle myself at Wally World.
Dave
Hey Dave,
I just used a bodkin to apply it and it seemed to self level itself fine. The consistency was nice, I’d definitely give it a try. Good luck.
Beaver
I used Fabric Fusion for head cement on some pike flies, that look every bit as good a epoxy heads and appear to be quite durable. Of course only after trial by pike tooth can the results be tabulated. The cure time is longer than 5 minute epoxy but that is an advantage because I can work in larger batches. I apply it with toothpicks and run the fly on a slow motor for a couple of hours. No mixing and cheaper too.
good stuff normnd. Off I go again to Wally’s
I have been using Liquid Fusion from Duncan Enterprises in place of epoxy on many patterns for several months now. I have used it for crease flies and epoxy type heads on baitfish patterns and it has worked quite well. I still haven’t determined how well it will hold up as a crease fly coating. All other non-epoxy coatings that I have tried tended to absorb water and eventually crack off, though I recoated the flies later and they still catch fish when the shell comes off. In large amounts it does take awhile to set up so a drying wheel is helpful.
I haven’t tried Aleenes yet. But I am curious to see if it is the same stuff, or at least performs the same.
I think Loon makes a similar product. Haven’t tried it though. I got too much of the stuff already. Thanks for the update of new goodies.
Got me a bottle of Aleene’s FF last night. After first project I am impressed. Using applicator made from a straighten cotter key the liquid leveled out smoothly without dripping off beads and dried to the touch within an hour or so in 55 deg. unheated basement. From what I have learned it is a water based urethane product, but smells like it has some alcohol in it, it could be another type of polar solvent that will mix with water.
I got some also…put a dollop on some paper …2 days later was able to indent it…I don’t see it as a problem …maybe a plus…just a FYI…it would be a difference re: epoxy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I just received a copy of the MSDS for the Aleene’s Fabric Fusion. FYI, it’s very low hazard. I have been involved in safety for the last 42+ years, therefore I can’t help but want to know. But if you have a retail establishment, especially if you have 11 or more employed, you may want a copy for your files just in case your friends from OSHA drop in. Drop me an email at jldentonjr@bellsouth.net and I will forward it to you.
You should be able to thin it with water; the health hazard is 1 on a scale of 0 - 4. The other hazards are 0. It is a urethane product.
Application can’t get easier…it comes in a pen
Both are sold on this site:
http://www.ilovetocreate.com/ProductSearch.aspx?stype=adv&k=liquid+fusion
SEarch for liquid fusion or fabric fusion. May be the manuf. of the glue. Would be interesting to see if they are the same for different price/size.
Urethane glue…wonder if it is anything like Aquaseal or the other urethanes out there.
Anyone have more experience with Aleene’s? I’ve used it as a thorax coating as in Copper John’s…was disappointed as it dried dull…a Sally Hansen’s coating took care of that …but of coarse that makes it less convenient.
Duckster-
The Aleene’s should dry crystal clear. If it is milky or dull, it’s possible some oil from your fingers got on it before it was cured, or perhaps some other substance was in or on the materials you were using. You should not need to add a coat of Sallies over the top to get a clear finish. Really, the only disadvantage I have found with this material is that it shrinks when it dries, so 2 coats are required to build a thick heavy head or body like on a Surf Candy. Also, make sure you give it a couple of days to “cure” before you dunk the fly. Even after 24 hours, if you really soak the fly, the Aleene’s will turn cloudy. If allowed to dry out, it will clear back up.
As far as durability over the long haul, it outperforms any other glue or epoxy I have used. It is extremely resilient and tough.
Good luck,
Casey
www.caseysmartt.com
Like Casey, I tied up some surf flies and used it on the heads. Mine dried clear and hard. Haven’t fished them yet, itching to try them out. Looks like a nice product to me so far.
Beaver
Have read at least one complaint about Liquid Fusion not holding up well on Crease flies, for what it is worth (Dan Blanton’s board, I think). Had not even hear d of Aleenes Fabric Fusion until this thread.
Thought I’d put this here rather than the cased caddis thread.
Has anyone thinned AFF…if so what did you use? I transferred some to a different bottle with a cork and needle in it. It thickened up on me …suppose some air leak???..tried to dilute with water and didn’t work.