IaSpanky 0 Report post Posted September 12, 2012 I have looked at a couple of patterns for "foam body" hoppers, and crickets all have talked about using sheet foam cut down to size. Is the foam similar to what kids might use to make small craft projects? something like this http://www.michaels.com/Creatology%E2%84%A2-Foam-Sheets/gc1328,default,pd.html or does it need to be something special. The link maybe a poor example. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
utyer 0 Report post Posted September 12, 2012 Yes, many people here use similar foam from the various craft outlets. WalMart has a package of 50 sheets 5.5 by 8.5 assortment includes 11 colors. Its a little denser than some of the foam sold by fly tying shops, and it can be cut with the thread just a little easier, but it works fine for almost any pattern that calls for a foam body. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oarfish 0 Report post Posted September 12, 2012 Yes most 2mm foam will work, I use a wheeled paper cutter to cut my strips the size from the shank to the tip of the hook. P.S. Also theres a very good book by Skip Morris, Tying Foam Flies, in the book he talks about alot of different foam materials to use. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
petelangevin 0 Report post Posted September 12, 2012 I will second skips book. But i use craft store foam with no adverse affects. The trick to no cutting the foam with your thread is to use a gentle first wrap and bear down on the subsequent wraps. Exacto knives and metal rulers work great. But if you have the room an old fashioned school paper cutter works awesome. Fishy fullum talks all about foam in his books and craft store foam is basically all he uses. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IaSpanky 0 Report post Posted September 13, 2012 Thanks again guys!! This forum should win a prize for THE NICEST PEOPLE ONLINE!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
perchjerker 0 Report post Posted September 13, 2012 You can find this type foam ("Fun Foam") up to 5mm thick in sheets, and thicker if you get the "Door Hangers" that are to be found in the craft stores. You can also glue as many sheets together as you desire to produce all kinds of colored "layered cakes" from which to cut your bodies. I prefer, and highly recommend,one of the 'contact' glues (Pliobond, Barge's Cement, Weldwood Contact Cement) as they remain flexible. The attached photos are examples of what one can do by gluing different colors together. HAVE FUN! Frank Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CoachBob 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2012 Craft foam hints: 1) 2mm and 3mm foam available at Michaels, Hobby Lobby and JoAnn's or various on-line sites in 9x12 or 6x9 2) 1.5mm foam (limited colors) is available from Dollar Tree in 6x9 3) 6mm foam is available at craftsuppliesforless.com 4/ 2mm is available in sticky back A standard paper cutter works perfectly for cutting foam. It works better on 2mm and 3mm than on 6mm. Fiskars scissors (8") from Office Depot work well on all sizes. Two sticky back sheets placed sticky to sticky make a permanent 4mm foam (in whatever color combinations you want). Use any variety of CA glue (Loctite, Super Glue, etc) to adhere foam to foam. My preference is brush on bottles because it can be applied more accurately. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
perchjerker 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2012 The so-called "foam door hangers" found in the craft stores are 6mm thick, and come in numerous colors. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikechell 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2012 To glue pieces of foam together, 3M contact cement works well. It can also be applied thick enough to leave a yellow stripe between the colors of foam. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilverCreek 0 Report post Posted September 18, 2012 Here's a foam Morrish Hopper made from craft foam. You glue the sheets together with 3M 77 Spray Adhesive. Every one who works with foam should get a can. You can make whatever thickness you want and layer different colors. Pattern below: http://hopperfishing.wordpress.com/2010/02/22/how-to-tie-the-morrishs-hopper/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heavynets 0 Report post Posted September 18, 2012 I make my poppers from flip-plops I get at the dollar store. I put a hole punch (from Harbor Freight) in a drill press, turn it on and start making popper bodies. I then follow the "Krebs popper" method of shaping and construction. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilverCreek 0 Report post Posted September 19, 2012 I don't have a drill press so I use a set of nesting "cork borers" that I bought on ebay. A good set can cost you $$$ but a used set or the ones from India are cheap. You bore out a cylinder by hand from foam. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brass-Cork-Rubber-Stopper-Borer-Set-lab-glass-top-/290776255735?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b39d8cf7 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyderaght 0 Report post Posted September 22, 2012 this is a foam frog simple to tie.marc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
netabrookie 0 Report post Posted September 25, 2012 A source for big chunks of foam can be found at your local body shop/collision center. the foam comes on a lot of hoods and body panels to protect the corners in shipment. i have it in a rainbow of colors, even olive. punching out cylinders will produce enough material to tie way too many foam bodies than you will ever use, but this is an obsession we all suffer from... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boutdoors 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2012 Here is a website that has a section on flies or poppers using foam some might find interesting http://jackgartside.com/ Robert Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites