Wes, Before I moved to Hawaii, I was over the print division at BYU in Provo. When I wanted to "punch" out some bodies for ants and things, I took my foam to the print shop because they had a great drill punch that they used to punch holes in paper. I know that this may not be available to everyone but some may know printshops or work at a university that have one and in minutes you can punch a bunch.
Mike ----- Original Message ----- From: "Wes Wada" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2003 7:15 AM Subject: Re: [VFB] Hollow Punch experiments > > Thanks to John Ridderbos and Steve Brettell for relating their > experience with using hollow punches to create foam bodies. Thanks to > Allan Fish for the note on the Sears drill presses. > > Since I have few opportunities to angle for warm-water species, my > needs for the foam are different. I don't need to turn and shape > bodies for poppers (for example). What best suits my needs would be > foam that floats VERY well (certain kinds of open cell foams float > better than the denser close-celled foams, and I have found the typical > Wal-Mart or craft store 2mm foam sheets hardly float at all... > > It's a rarely found bonus if the material comes in useful colors or in > white (for dyeing), and is easily produced using these punches. Often I > would shape the ends of the foam cylinder with scissors, then tie it on > the hook shank as the start of a fly. > > I was particularly intrigued by a foam block and trout punch set at > this link: > <http://www.jvlnet.com/~swinters/> scroll down to trout set description > > The stainless steel punches are 3/32", 9/64", and 3/16" and designed > specifically for this purpose. > > When you subtract the regular cost of the six foam blocks, the punches > work out to $8.60 each. Still on the high side, but possibly a > workable deal for someone who does a lot of work with trout-sized foam > cylinders or rods. I keep Rainey's Float Foam in business with my > annual purchases, so maybe these punches will save $$ in the long run. > *g* Sticks in my craw to have to pay $4 for 2 feet of rubber rod! > > Something for the Christmas list. > > Wes Wada > Bend, Oregon > > > > > >
