epoxy substitute

[professori]

Here is a great head cement recipe. I'm not sure where I got it, but I use it on almost all my flies as a head cement, and use it where ever I would use epoxy. In a small jar mix 4 parts houishold Goop® and one part toluene (you can get it at Rona, Home Depot, etc. for about $5 for a quart). Mix them together and seal the jar. I bought a cement dispensing jar with an applicator cap at Sea-run. The mixture should be about the consistancy of pancake syrup. Apply as yo would any other head cement and allow about 5 minutes to dry. It leaves a hard, glossy and somewhat flexible coat. As I said I use it now anywhere I would epoxy and have been totally satisfied.

[Sparky]

Hey Professori, nice recipe. I also use this. I mix it a little thicker than you. Basically, it's home grown Flex-cement (spelling?). I started using it when a guy at the local shop suggested it as a cheap alternative to buying a branded flexible cement like "Dave's Flex-cement." For anyone using this, caution with the toluene- that stuff's a nasty solvent.
Cheers,
Sparky

[professori]

Sparky - Do you recall where you got the recipe? I know I read it somewheere in the last year or so, but can't remember where.

[Sparky]

Wasn't really a recipe so much as a recommendation. I was looking for 'Dave's', and they didn't have any. Bill at Benshona suggested it as a good alternative. In fact, he said "that stuff is just Goop thinned down with toluene" to be exact! I just tried a few mixes until I was happy with one (I tend to mix it about 1:2 or 1:3 depending on the intended application and how fast I want to build the coat- how lazy I am really). I use it as head cement on the big boys, epoxy on some patterns, and of course as a flexible adhesive for pulled back wing cases. I also use it whenever I think something needs to be more durable than my Sally Hanson's Hard As Nails can make it.

[Larvalace]

i use a simple lcn super hardener nail polish

[jared]

Softex.

For many applications I still prefer epoxy. However, Bobby Pop (and others) have been
field testing an epoxy alternative -- UV light activated...he talks about it highly, but I have
yet to see it in action and more importantly, try it myself!

As always, your mileage may vary.

-J

[Rookiespey]

Softex.

For many applications I still prefer epoxy. However, Bobby Pop (and others) have been
field testing an epoxy alternative -- UV light activated...he talks about it highly, but I have
yet to see it in action and more importantly, try it myself!


-J

The UV light activated product is knot sense. I find it ok, but i like the soft body better.
My 0.02

[jared]

[/quote]

The UV light activated product is knot sense. I find it ok, but i like the soft body better.
My 0.02[/quote]

Actually, I don't believe it is. This is something that Popovics, Ed Mitchell and others
in New England have been testing for a company from Texas I believe. Knot Sense is
a Loon product which cures in sunlight and as one might discern from the name is
primarily used to cover knots...the Popovics one cures under a special lamp and is
designed to be used as a non-yellowing substitute for 5-minute epoxy.

-J

[Rookiespey]

Sounds like a cool product. Is it hard when cured or is it somewhat soft/pliable.
You're correct in my mistake of confusing the product with Loon's knot sense. My main beef with the Knot Sense is that it cures quite hard.

[BigPapaPump]

Jeff Pierce (Mustad), was tying flies at the tradex shows using the Knot Sense product from Loon. He uses a UV lamp to cure it quickly. He was a very big fan of that product. I don't know if anybody else saw him there, he was at the Hubs Sports booth tying saltwater flies.