To superglue or not???

[ballingall512]

I was wondering what the opinions are amongst our fly tyers regarding the use of superglue, to assist securing materials, and/or finnishing the head of a fly.

I used to use it a lot, but noticed that a lot of the materials became brittle once the glue had dried. Fox hair or similar soft winging materials would break off at the tie in point where the glue was applied, and hackles would do the same if I had used glue on the head.
I started to notice it more when I was tying turbo's and coneheads, where I would often use a drop of glue behind the cones. These flies again used soft winging materials and hackles, which seem to absorb the glue all too easily even if it's applied to the thread and not the material.

I now won't use superglue in any form on any of my flies, I instead use plenty of tyers wax on my thread and this along with plenty of pressure on a fine diameter tying thread, holds all materials firmly in place.

Opinions please.

Thanks.

Dave.

[underghillie]

I am with you Dave, Hackles and hair become very brittle the only time i use superglue is just a tiny spot to hold cones on my tubes.

Tony

[salmonshrimp]

Oct 17, 2010 20:11:26 GMT ballingall512 said:

I was wondering what the opinions are amongst our fly tyers regarding the use of superglue, to assist securing materials, and/or finnishing the head of a fly.

I used to use it a lot, but noticed that a lot of the materials became brittle once the glue had dried. Fox hair or similar soft winging materials would break off at the tie in point where the glue was applied, and hackles would do the same if I had used glue on the head.
I started to notice it more when I was tying turbo's and coneheads, where I would often use a drop of glue behind the cones. These flies again used soft winging materials and hackles, which seem to absorb the glue all too easily even if it's applied to the thread and not the material.

I now won't use superglue in any form on any of my flies, I instead use plenty of tyers wax on my thread and this along with plenty of pressure on a fine diameter tying thread, holds all materials firmly in place.

Opinions please.

Thanks.

Dave.

I don't use super glue on flies it is too brittle especially after it gets wet. Although Frodin recommends waterproof superglue I still would not use it.

Cones should stay in place if the liner is melted properly

A dab of varnish will keep the thread from unravelling. It's important the head is able to fit snugly in the cones so I find using minimal thread and varnish at the head helps.

[madkeen]

I used it a couple of times on coneheads but like others have said the materials can break easily. I now never use anything apart from varnish and haven't noticed my flies falling apart in normal use.

[Deleted]

I would only use it on between the first and second layer of a larger Tube fly with a Mylar Body and perhaps on a Bucktail or Squirrel Head.

Never for securing feathers.

tweedbunnet

[kingfisher]

Was this subject not mentioned in last months Trout and Salmon Mag in the fly tying pages?

I recall it said that the area where the glue made contact with the stalk of the feather made it brittle and therefore easily broken off.

[cannycatchacold]

Im following Dave Macphail. If its good enough for him then its good enough for me. But he does say keep it off the materials.

[northwestern]

I do use superglue sometimes, when dealing with slippery materials.
I never apply the glue directly to the fly, i put a smear on the tying thread (hanging between the hook and the bobbin) before catching in the material.
I read with interest Daves comments on using wax. I dont use it enough me thinks and i am going to experiment with this and see if it helps me catching in those slippery furs and hairs, because there can be no doubt that superglue does make alot of materials more brittle and prone to snapping off,
NW.

[northwestern]

Oct 18, 2010 20:26:10 GMT northwestern said:

I read with interest Daves comments on using wax. I dont use it enough me thinks and i am going to experiment with this and see if it helps me catching in those slippery furs and hairs, because there can be no doubt that superglue does make alot of materials more brittle and prone to snapping off,
NW.

I thought i better add, i mean fly tying wax....
Just incase anyone gets any funny ideas
Not that you guys would do that, this is a gentlemans forum after all... ;D ;D ;D