On Thu, Feb 18, 2010 at 9:54 AM, Don Ordes <f...@tribcsp.com> wrote: > Wes, see comments/questions below: >
Hi DonO, Some answers to your questions about Model Magic in fly tying (my findings): Material when set is more firm than soft, but I would not describe the surface as hard and ungiving. If you want a super hard surface, coat it with a hard-shell paint. I am looking into using the UV-light cured product as a substitute for epoxy. Have not tried epoxy over the foam. Super glue and Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails have no effect on the foam. Haven't had any melting problems yet. I do not use enamel, since the range of acrylics is far greater and easier to use, at least for my purposes. The material has no smell either "wet" or "dry". The material sets overnight. You can use a microwave in short bursts to hurry along the process. You can finger shape the foam until it reaches a point where it no longer accepts your manipulations...gets too springy. If you finger mold an area that is delicate and unsupported, at some point when you are fishing, that area will just break off the fly. You should NOT microwave a body that has a hook set into it. Metal and microwaves don't get along. Wrapping the hook shank is necessary to keep the hook from rotating in the foam. Mono would not work very well. You need a wrap material that is somewhat absorbent to soak in the foam and glue. I would always use glue to set the hook, you need to get into all the nooks and crannies. Molding foam around a hook shank doesn't do that reliably. Had a friend who was working on a similar idea for salt water crab patterns. Not sure how far along he got on it. I will be using barbell eyes for the crawfish patterns to anchor the rear end of the crawfish. Best bet is just to go buy a package of the foam and get to playing. The stuff is ridiculously cheap and available widely. Once you open the package, store the stuff in a small, sealed jar. Wes -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the "VFB Mail" group. To post to this group, send email to vfb-mail@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to vfb-mail-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/vfb-mail?hl=en VFB Mail is sponsored by Line's End Inc at http://www.linesend.com
