I don’t tie many flies but when I come across blend … I really don’t know how to do it. I have read where using a coffee bean blender works but all it did was make a mess and created a rope with yarn and Antron. Can you assist me with using this blender or best method by hand?
Thanks, Jerry
Sounds like you over did the blending! Also, sythetics like Antron will melt from the heat generated in over blending. Just try a quick pulse, examine and then maybe another.
Joe
load the grinder loosley,and as Joe says pulses are best,a few quick bursts is all thats needed.I don’t have one of them yet but in A.k’s book Dying and Bleaching he recomends this…for small batches by hand which I do ,use the pinch and pull technique,a bit slower I’d think but it’s served me well so far.
“I’ve often wondered why it is that so many anglers spend so much money on,and pay so much attention to.the details on the wrong end of the fly line.If they took as much care in selecting or tying their flies as they did in the selection of the reel and rod,They might be able to gain the real extra edge that makes it possible to fool a fish that has,in fact,seen it all before” A.K.Best
“Wish ya great fishing”
A coffee blender will work very well for small quantities. Three things will screw up the process: 1)Too much material; 2)if using synthetics, cut into lengths of not more than 1/2 inch. Longer will cause problems; 3)Use short bursts of the blender. Long bursts will cause heat and the synthetics will melt and/or clog the spindle.
Allan
I was probably doing it wrong in the blender also by using too much. As it seems that maybe Rick Z. was? I make dubbing by mixing the way Rick does now so I don’t even fool with a blender anymore (except I use an old toothbrush rather than a pet brush). I like this better anyway because I can regulate the fiber lengths by cutting to the size I want.
[url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/features/panfish/part331.html:8e399]http://www.flyanglersonline.com/features/panfish/part331.html[/url:8e399]
Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL
“Flip a fly”
[This message has been edited by dixieangler (edited 22 May 2005).]
Jerry,
Here are two alternatives for you:
Wet blending. Water and raw dubbing, swish throughly, then pour through a strainer. Allow to dry. Best for medium to large quantities.
Air blending. Take an empty shoe box with lid. Make a blow hole in one of the short sides, and some small holes in lid and other sides. Put raw dubbing in the show box, close lid, and blow into the box. the turbulence you will generate inside will blend the dubbing. Best for small to medium quantities.
Cheers,
Hans W
=== You have a friend in Low Places ===
http://www.danica.com/flytier
Hans has it right. Wet blending is the way to go. I read about it here on F.A.O.L. and have all my buddies wet blending now. The result is blending at it’s best as far as I’m concerned. Jax
1 When you wet blend Pulse the blender.
2-pour water& fur into a straner with a paper towel in it .
3- Squeeze paper towel with fur inside put on paper plate.
4Use hair dryer if in hurry , place a cooking splatter screen over paper plate , saves a lot of mess.
john
I use two pet brushes to mix it together.
Just keep pulling it between them.
Rick
The shoebox method Hans recommends will work as long as the materials are dry and free of oil. One drawback and I want to point this out … Do what Bill Clinton did … DO NOT INHALE!
Sorry bout that. Couldn’t resist.
Allan
To make the coffee grinder work without melting, remove the impeller blades and file the leading edge so it slants back from the direction it turns. I also twist the blade a bit to create more turbulence. Length of material 1/2" or a little more won’t hurt. Spray anti-static laundry spray into it once in awhile so the static doesn’t build up.
Quick pulses will not be necessary since the now slanted blade will not drag the material around.
Happy Trails!
Ronn
Also, with the blending of man-made-fibers don’t forget they are made as long fine threads and want to wrap around the cutter shaft as a rope. You should cut them into short lengths before the blending.