My System And Other Comments

[Harold Ray 0]

When do you use it, before or after you paint?? I've seen this mentioned before but forgot, and never really realized how it was done.

 

Also, I was trying to download and run to video, but I had no luck. What I did get appears to be a bunch of stuff I don't want and no video, so I'd say be careful with this download. I've done many over the years but can't understand the platform on this one or the system in which the video runs. I am anxious to see this if anyone has any suggestions. My problem is the video doesn't seem to run on the usual video formats.

 

Ray

[Stippled Popper 0]

It is not a video, Harold. It is a PDF file. Accessing the PDF file is a two step process from the link.

At the first screen you have to scroll down below what is shown on the first screen to where you can see

the text Regular Download. After you press the Regular Download you will be brought to another screen

you may have to scroll down it also. It all depends on how many pixels your display can handle. But if you

do scroll down, you will see the the button I have pictured in the first post for this thread.

 

The process isn't as easy as I would like. However, in order to dispense with all the ads I'd have to

pay significantly more than I am already paying to have a place for people to download a file which I am

providing free of charge. If someone has knowledge of a safe and free download site, I'd be happy to

change.

[fshrmanms 0]

Wow that's awesome! And I was patting myself on the back for starting a log with colored pencil sketches. I just got my tying stuff last December; love popping bugs and yours are an inspiration. I hope to keep improving and know I will if people like you keep sharing their knowledge.

 

Thanks!

 

This is my latest don't know if it'll catch fish yet.

[Stippled Popper 0]

Wow that's awesome! And I was patting myself on the back for starting a log with colored pencil sketches. I just got my tying stuff last December; love popping bugs and yours are an inspiration. I hope to keep improving and know I will if people like you keep sharing their knowledge.

 

Thanks!

 

This is my latest don't know if it'll catch fish yet.

 

 

Thank you.

 

Oh! I'll bet your popper will catch fish alright. I'll bet you could also vary the hook with that size body one size

up and still do well.

[perchjerker 0]

With respect to the answer to Stippled Poppers answer about putting the scales on the bugs that Kirk posted, anything knurled, and of the right size will work. The critical element that was left out, if I am correct, is that these bugs have a foil covering over typically a balsa body (Kirk can correct me if I am wrong). It is the foil that is embossed. The bugs are then spray painted. The scales are NOT painted on.

[Stippled Popper 0]

With respect to the answer to Stippled Poppers answer about putting the scales on the bugs that Kirk posted, anything knurled, and of the right size will work. The critical element that was left out, if I am correct, is that these bugs have a foil covering over typically a balsa body (Kirk can correct me if I am wrong). It is the foil that is embossed. The bugs are then spray painted. The scales are NOT painted on.

 

If I remember rightly, part of what makes the scales effect in applying the knurled tool is to coat the balsa body with rubber cement,

apply the foil covering, and apply the knurling tool while the rubber cement is still wet.

[flytire 0]

how to make knurled foil pencil poppers

 

http://fiberglassflyrodders.yuku.com/topic/9487?page=1#.TpIJ8N7iGU8

 

bookmark it

[ninja115 0]

Bookmarked!

 

Has anyone used scale netting like this to make a scale effect on their poppers?

 

http://lurepartsonline.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=602

 

I think it is a hexagon shape versus regular patio screen which is square. Also, I think this website was mentioned in one of the posts I came across in my searching this site. It was noted that they have a very good price on lure eyes. Check it out.

 

I've been compiling a list of stuff I need/want to have when I start making poppers, and all of you just keep making that list longer . By no means stop though! I already have an airbrush and will probably utilize that when the time comes. That's why I wondered about the netting.

[perchjerker 0]

Stippled:

 

You are 99.44% correct. The error is that you can emboss at any time. The glue does not have to be wet. It is apparently the glue that forms a flexible layer between the foil and the body when it dries; allowing for the embossing. If you "goof", you can even "smooth out" the area and redo it with ease.

 

Ninja115:

 

With respect to using netting for making scales, this is how I did it until Charlie Cypert showed me how to do the foil covered bodies. (Charlie is a retired well known Texas fishing guide who supplied the Orvis stores in both Dallas and Houston, plus numerous other local fly shops, with his highly regarded "Pencil Poppers". And yes, the body taper was formed using an "industrial-strength" electric pencil sharpener.) You can get the netting in any fabric shop, as it is extensively used in the making of wedding dresses, and it comes in many different mesh sizes. I would stretch the mesh in an embroidery hoop, and spray through it. If you place the mesh directly over the back, and spray straight down, you back, you can "feather" the scales down the sides of the bug. You can also lay the fabric directly on the bug body and spray; but this often leads to paint "bleeds" between the scales.

 

I would venture that if you were to ask the clerk in your favorite neighborhood fabric shop about this netting, and tell her what you want it for, she might even have a few 'scraps' that she would let you dispose of for her!

[perchjerker 0]

I would like to add a critique of the methods used in the video that flytire provided a link to.

 

The first has to do with making the cylindrical bodies. A great deal of time is needlessly wasted by the author in the drilling of the balsa, as he points out that you have to remove the brass 'cutter' to remove each 'plug' before you can cut the next one. Also, he gets only one body per plug. If you want a 2 inch body, cut the balsa block 4 1/8 inches long, and mark off 1/8 inch on one end. Cut the brass 'plug cutter' 4 inches long, and proceed as described.

 

As you are NOT cutting all the way through the block, the plugs will automatically pull out of the cutter as you withdraw it from the block (leave the drill running for this operation). After you have cut as many plugs as possible into the end of the block, you then cut the extra 1/8 inch off one end of the block. The plugs will now fall right out of the block!! ALL at one time!

 

NOTE: A drill press greatly facilitates this part of the process.

 

The next step is to sharpen each end in an electric pencil sharpener. The electric sharpener does a much nicer job of cutting the taper; greatly minimizing the sanding. In fact, in some instances there is no need to sand at all. You should now have a 4 inch long cylinder that is tapered on both ends. The next step is to make a 15° cut across the cylinder at the mid point; resulting in two bodies, instead of one; both with sloped faces.

 

The rest of the process, except for the foil template, is as described. Rather than cut the foil in accordance with a template, simply cut it square or rectangular; the dimensions being appropriate for the size of the body being covered. Pull the foil as tight as possible around the body, with the two sides coming together on the bottom center-line. Be sure to 'crimp' the two sides together as tightly as possible at the union point, and let the glue dry. Once the glue has dried, trim off the excess foil along the mid-line(curved scissors are an asset for this task).

 

Using spray paint also eliminates a lot of "hand work", as compared to using the colored pens. Spring-type clothes pins make great 'holders' while doing the painting. Simply 'clamp' the point of the hook in the jaws of the clothes pin and set them on a flat surface and paint away.

 

Cheers!