One of the main reasons that I do not use head cement is that I hate the hassle it entails. Drying out, hard to apply at times, nastiness in general.
I have started seeing thislately and it’s gotten me to wondering if it’s a worthwhile investment? How does it travel? How does it hold up? Does it keep cement longer than the classic jar and needle dispenser set up?
So far have found no online reviews so thought I’d survey the crowd here.
I use that type applicator, if I don’t have an order for flies I don’t have to worry about the glue drying, and if I go some where to tie it dosen’t leak.
In my experience they work great for awhile but as the cement thickens they get clogged. I wouldn’t travel with one either unless I could guarantee it would stay upright.
I use that type with the Fly tite head cement. It is a very fluid cement that doesn’t thicken in the bottle very much over time as long as you keep the applicator bottle more than half full and seems to work very well with that type of applicator bottle. It will eventually start to gel at the bottom of the needle in the lid and I use a toothpick to clear that out. I usually leave some airspace at the top and just before applying I keep the bottle upright and slowly squeeze out the air and then squeeze a little more to apply the cement. When I release the bottle it sucks the cement back into the bottle. If I don’t do it this way, then as the bottle gets a little warm the cement will start to ooze out from the trapped air bubble. Probably more information than you wanted, but you’ll get the idea soon enough if you use it. The best part about the airspace is if you do happen to apply too much then just releasing a little on the bottle will also suck the excess head cement off the fly and back into the bottle.
I have used the same needle bottle shown for years,never had it leak or dry up using FLY-TITE head cement also. I just put it in with all my tying equip when traveling,not worrying about a leak BILL
i use tne same applicator. With a little practice you can get a nice little dab of water based head cement right where you want it. I have two spares in my bench drawer, they are cheap!
I use the same applicator. With a little practice you can get a nice little dab of water based head cement right where you want it. I have two spares in my bench drawer, they are cheap!
I pour my Sally Hansen’s into one of those applicators. Never a problem.
I have gone through several just like that and find that the one Hareline sells better and it has no needle , just a cap like that. It also is a little flatter looking and I have had good luck with it. I do thin what I use it it though.
The bottle I am using has no label so can’t tell you much more than that. But if it says Hareline on it I am sure it would be like mine.
Oh and I use clear Gloss Lacquer that I bought in a Qt. and thin with MEK.
Skip
I just started using the applicator about a month ago and I really like it. I can get a small drop of cement just where I want it to go. I haven’t had any problems with it so far either. I also pour my Sally Hansens in this applicator.