bought a big assortment of beads when i took up bead-headed nymphs. liked one of the sizes. how do i measure it to find out what to buy? local fly shop not stocked as it should be, so i have to know numbers instead of just holding a sample next to the packages.
Hook & Hackle has a list of the size (diameter) of the bead and the corresponding hooks they are used on. To measure the actual diameter of the beads, use a caliper or a hole template available in the drafting supplies at Staples or Office Max, or a drill gage available at Lowes or Home Depot. The calipers are also available at the home centers in the tool department.
Joe
You want the outside diameter. The measurement would probably be easiest with dial calipers. Otherwise a finely graduated ruler would work.
Here’s some info from another thread in the For Sale Section (http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/s...ad.php?t=18126 (corrected))
Bead Diam MM,
Bead Diam in fractions of inch,
Hook Size Range
1.5 1/16 22 - 26
2.0 5/64 18 - 22
2.3 3/32 16 - 18
2.8 7/64 14 - 16
3.2 1/8 12 - 14
4.0 5/32 8 - 10
4.8 3/16 4 - 6
The thread I mentioned in last reply is:
Just a heads up on bead sizing, each manufactor seams to have a different idea of what the actual outside and inside diameter is for any given size.
I have some 3/64" size beads in my stash from different sources and they are all slightly different diamters. They also fit over a different range of hook sizes, do to slight differences in the counter sink holes.
Most manufactors have a sizing chart that helps pick which bead will fit over a particular hook size. In my experiance these are a rough extimate at best. I usually need to bring in the actual hook I intend to use and test fit to be certain.
Uh, Flydope,
That ‘chart’ you posted is actually the diameter in MM, then the DIAMETER (not ‘weight’) in inches, then the suggested hook size range…
Just to stop any confusion.
Buddy
Flydope is correct. The second Number is the fractional diameter in inches.
!.0 mm equals .03937 inches or 40 thousandths of an inch.
once again i am in awe at what this group can do with a question. thank you one and all very very much!
http://www.killroys.com/charts/beads.htm
this chart will serve as a guide for sizing a bead for a particular size hook. hope this helps
Good ? CaseyP, Also good replies as well. I think this will help allot of tiers.