Published: Monday March 29th 2010 (157 days ago) Updated: Monday March 29th 2010, 3:02PM More about: Epoxy | by Martin Joergensen
Epoxy isn't what it used to be.
Like many fly tyers I shun flies that call for epoxy. I love the flies, but I would prefer not to go through the process of mixing the two components, applying and waiting for it to cure.
No matter how you do it or which type of epoxy you use, there's a lot of waste, trouble controlling the shape of the fly and the demand for an epoxy rotor if you use the slow curing kind. And there is the potential health hazard, mainly allergic reactions to the hardener.
I personally only tie epoxy flies when I really have to. I haven't found any substitutes until now although I have tried a lot of different substances.
But the last couple of years have seen some new materials, which seem very convincing. They are all based on the principle of hardening with light some with invisible UV-light, and some with visible blue-specter light.
The idea is that you have a single substance, which you apply to the fly like you would the epoxy. But you don't have to wait for it to cure. By exposing it to a special light for a few seconds, the resin sets and becomes clear and stiff or flexible, depending on the type you have chosen.
The process seems easy and very controllable, and the result quite convincing. I am definitely going to try to get my hands on some of these materials and try them.
I have my eyes on a couple of brands, and will try to get a hold of them.
Clear Cure Goo is an interesting product, which seems very reasonably priced and comes in several different types. You can buy a kit with the necessary lamp and a couple of syringes of goo for 50 USD. Each syringe with glue enough for at least 30 large saltwater flies such as 2/0 Surf Candies is only 11-12 USD.
Tuffleye was one of the first brands of this type of material available and has a very good reputation. Marketed by Wet A Hook, a company founded in San Antonio, Texas by a dentist and an attorney. The dentist angle is interesting because the light curing technology has been used in dental work for many years.
Tuffleye's materials are also about 10 USD per 10cc syringe, and you can get a starters kit for 80 USD, which includes an AC powered curing light.
GFF contributor Pete Gray is an avid Tuffleye fan, and he has endorsed the product several times, both in our forums and on Tuffleye's web site.
From: John Horsfall · jthorsfall·at·hotmail.co.uk Submitted June 4th 2010
There's now another one called "Bug-Bond" I haven't tried it yet but from various reports it seems very good.
From: Jan Johansen · jany·at·blueyonder.co.uk Submitted May 28th 2010
You can use a product called floo glue instead of epoxy for all your flies ie heads and bodies of buzzers, dries really fast and hard, also a superb finnish, try two coats or more, fantastic. All my flies are finnished with floo glue much better i think than varnish
GFF staff comment
From: Martin Joergensen · martin·at·globalflyfisher.com Submitted April 9th 2010
David,
Excellent tip! I was looking at supplies for the dental clinics, which use the same technology for fillings and tooth repairs. But they were nowhere near being cheap! On the opposite. Not surprising when you consider the demands on health care materials.
The nail business is a lot less demanding!
Martin
From: David Ball · ballthebuilder·at·sky.com Submitted April 9th 2010
Having liked the look that Tuffleye gives to flies, I set about trying to find a cheaper product that gave me the same effect, as being unemployed for the first time in my life I couldn't warrant the outlay for the more well known products. I stumbled upon the UV Gel used in the nail art industry. I bought the UV light, the base coat and top finish coat for a fraction of what you would pay for Tuffleye etc. It gives just as good a finish and cures in seconds.
Cheers Dave
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