Ok, How do you get those little bead heads on a size 18 or smaller hook? There must be some tool that does it for under 1,000 dollars or so. Cheesh. Am I getting old or does it require keen eyes and a set of steady thin fingers?
I humbly ask my wife to put the tiny beads on my smaller hooks.
I went to a local hobby shop and in the modeling section, I found a pair of tweezers that are self-closing. You apply pressure to open them, and as you release pressure, they close.
Works great for keeping a good grip on the hook’s eye or the bead.
You can also use some styles of hackle pliers as well though they tend to have a fairly gentle grip. The tweezers work better for me.
If you have a rotary vise, you could gently close the jaws on the eye of the hook so it’s held in a position that makes it easier to put the bead on.
I tend to position the hook so that gravity helps if I lose my grip on the bead (instead of having gravity peel the bead right off for me). 
try this mid…put the bead in the palm of your hand…hold the hook by the eye and just “hook” the bead…just be sure the hook goes thru the correct side of the bead…hope this helps…Jason
Some tools just lay around unused but this is one (Bead Nabber) I rely on now and then… Ed.
They cost about $10.00 at [url=http://www.flytyingworld.com/angling/index.html:8c81e]Fly Tying World[/url:8c81e] Select Tools, Miscellaneous, then Bead Nabber.
[url=http://www.flytyingworld.com:8c81e]www.flytyingworld.com[/url:8c81e]
Wow! A bead nabber! I knew there had to be something I didn’t have. THanks
MS,
You can get those ‘beadnabbers’ (bead handling tweezers) at any good bead store.
For a lot less than $10.
They have LOTS of stuff at such stores that are of value to a fly tyer.
Good Luck!
Buddy Sanders
My method has worked great for me for years and I tie a LOT of glass bead head flies in the size 20-30 size range.
Get yourself one of the following: [ul] *Mortile window caulk that comes in a roll.
*Elmer’s Poster Putty that is a putty used to stick posters on the wall.
*Or any clay like material that stays pliable.[/ul]
Form it into a shape that works for you, I make a slightly tapered cone about 2" tall, like a dunce cap 
. You could also put a blob on the end of a small stick. I just push the putty into the beads and it will pick up a bunch. I then thread my hook through the bead of my choice while it’s stuck to the putty.
I will warn you that some beads may fall off, so do the threading part over a tray or something. I then leave my “putty blob” on the bench and thread more beads when necessary.
Works for me…
Buddy… I’d like to know where you found them, and for under $10.00? I searched before buying and wasn’t able to find one like the locking tweezers (pictured). All I could find is those sticky things that fit on finger tips. I preferred using a bodkin to pick up individual beads and roll them in my fingers to line up the hole. Where did you find them in sewing or craft stores? Ed.
I saw someone just “rake” the hook through his container of beads and it randomly “hooked” the bead.
Ducksterman,
That’s the way I do it! Pour several glass beads into a shallow container, hold the hook by the eye, and just rake it through the beads. When lucky you get two at a time. Have use my palm; but, not with smaller size hooks. Also have “dipped” hook into bead tubes with similar results.
I used to think those bead nabbers were just a gimmick, but they really are handy.
Jay
“Buddy… I’d like to know where you found them, and for under $10.00? I searched before buying and wasn’t able to find one like the locking tweezers (pictured). All I could find is those sticky things that fit on finger tips. I preferred using a bodkin to pick up individual beads and roll them in my fingers to line up the hole. Where did you find them in sewing or craft stores? Ed.”
Ed,
Kaufmann Streamborn (Sponsor) and The Fly Shop both sell the one pictured. They go for around $13. Hope this helps.
I lick my fingertip and press it onto a bead, the moisture holds it on there enough to get the job done.
I have a few different types.
I got them at ‘bead shops’. They have lots of them in my area. Not seen them at craft or sewing shops. Pretty much all they sell are beads and the equipment and supplies to turn them into jewelry. Some of what they carry are pretty ingenious tools and such that can have applications for us who like to play with fur, thread, and feathers…
If you don’t have a bead shop near you, it’s certainly worth the price to get them wherever you can. Really saves time and hassle with tiny beads.
By the way, a good bead shop will have tiny glass beads, down to about 15/0 and maybe smaller, for good prices.
Good Luck!
Buddy
When I was younger my Grandad taught me how to eat peas with a knife. Times have change so I just put a 1" wide strip of duct tape on a popcycle stick backwards. Picks up plenty and holds them there as long as you use the good stuff. I am sure the tape will go bad before I use it all.
Some of what they carry are pretty ingenious tools and such that can have applications for us who like to play with fur, thread, and feathers…
…and beads perhaps? My wife’s a beader and recently got into lampworking so we both have fun at the bead stores.
BTW Buddy, if you know of beads smaller than 15/0’s with big holes and consistency like the Miyuki’s then I’d appreciate hearing about it!
I hold the bead with a pair of pliers, and give it some elbow grease.
I simply drop a few beads on to the top of my wax tube and then pick up what I need with the hook. for small hooks I use my needle nose pliers as I am one of those people with really klutzy fingers.
Michael (Wooly) Woolum
State Certified Hunter Education Instructor
Hickory, MS
[This message has been edited by Wooly (edited 23 February 2006).]
Frank,
Unfortunitely, the consistency has been a problem with the ‘cheaper’ small glass beads. Miyukis (Myukamis?) are by far the best, and, as you know, you often get what you pay for.
Still, I’ve come across some smaller inexpensive beads and, while they all don’t fit on a hook, enough of them do, and they are inexpensive enough, to make it worthwhile.
Once your better half gets the knack of lampworking down, she can make some cool stuff for you as well. Glass is a remarkable substance to play around with.
Good Luck!
Buddy