It seems to me that with the cost of manufactured foam cutters…talking sheet foam here…there would be a place for a generic set of foam cutters that once you cut it out a snip here or there would be all you need…
Something to cover …
Stonefly wings…[salmonfly]
Hoppers
Frog
Mouse
Caddis wings
ETC…Etc…
When you do it let me know …I’ll buy…
Go here:
[url=http://www.riverroadcreations.com/index.htm:7a88d]http://www.riverroadcreations.com/index.htm[/url:7a88d]
They’ll make one to your specs…
I was just going to edit this and include this link to show all the ones …who wants to pay for all of these…
[url=http://www.bearlodgeangler.com/other_tools.htm:52554]http://www.bearlodgeangler.com/other_tools.htm[/url:52554]
MNfisher …if I was good enough to figure out something generic that could work…
Duckster,
I’d love to have ALL of those cutters…
That being said, take a look at the ‘scrapbooking’ aisle next time you get near a hobby/craft store.
They have paper punches that will work with the thinner craft foams and wing materials.
What they call a ‘country heart’ shape looks just like a caddis wing. Comes in two sizes that can be easily ‘trimmed’ to fit most fly sizes.
They sell some other shapes that are useable as well. You’ll see what I’m talking about.
In any event, the ‘ready made’ ones are certainly the way to go if you really tie lots of those patterns. I’ll tell the kid to shoot for a scholarship and expend the college fund on a full set, maybe…
Good Luck!
Buddy
If I could remember my password it would help. Now for the 4th time I will try and respond to this post.
Tony at RiverRoad creations makes some great wing cutters. They make a wing cutter for multiple purpose, the hopper/caddis/ant wing cutters are designed for this. A snip here or there you have the proper wing. However, I don’t think they would be the exact size or shape for mouse or frog patterns. The STP frog cutter could probably be shaped to a mouse pattern and makes a great frog cutter.
You already have a set. Called scissors, cut the foam into strips with a razor blade. Then trim a bit here and there. Maybe your flies won’t be exactly a like, but with a bit of work you’ll be surprised with the results. Dan Gober
If you’re looking to create triangles, you can pick up a spark plug gapping tool fairly cheap at the local auto store. I use the two heaviest guages to form the triangle. Size can be adjusted so you can get triangles large enough to fold for a Crease fly or small enough to use for wings.
Here’s what you do: get with some tying buddies, pool your dough for a whole set, sit around one stormy day and cut foam bodies and wings in every size, shape and color you’ll use. When you run out of pre cut bodies, repeat.
Flyangler,…now there’s an idea for a swap…
Poul Jorgensen used to make feather cutwings using curved fingernail clippers. I tried the same on 2 mm. foam to get curved cuts. I works pretty well with the advantage being that the foam doesn’t try to slip as you clamp down. Good luck !
I have made my own cutters from strips of metal glues to a piece of wood scrap.
I used the metal strapping that is used to ship lumber, found all I needed in the trash pile at a nearby construction site. First I clamped a 20" long section to the edge of my work bench and created a sharp bevel edge using a metal file. Then I bent it to shape with needle nose pliers. I mounted the cutter to a piece of wood by setting it in a blob of 5 min. epoxy.
kengore- you strapping young lad 
, have you had any problem with them popping out of the epoxy? Do you need to cut a groove of the proper shape into the wood first?
Fly Angler- I make a dam of masking tape around the perimeter and pour the epoxy about and 1/8" thick. Plenty of contact surface area, no need to cut a groove. Adding some epoxy filler (micro-ballons) adds bulk and helps self level.
I have also considered using single edge injector type razor blades for the cutter pieces…They tend to be brittle and often break on small radius bends, but I like how sharp they are.
[This message has been edited by kengore (edited 19 April 2006).]