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eyes keep falling off

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Every time I put an eye on a fly the eyes last about an hour before they fall off. I am using super glue to stick them on should I be using something else?

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The only good way ive been able to hold eyes on is with epoxy. This works great if your planing on making the entire head with epoxy. But if you just want to stick your eyes on the side of some material it might no be the best way.

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What kind of eyes on what kind of fly? I've tied a few synthetic hair streamers. I used Super Glue gel and glued the eyes to each other through the fibers. I used my hackle pliers to clamp them together until the glue set (plus a few hours 'til dawn). So far, I haven't had an eye come off.

 

On my foam bodied poppers, I quite putting eyes on and just paint a white spot if I want "eyes." I've had a few picky fish jump over the boat, slap me in the face with their tails as they flew past and yell as they went back into the water, "Like we'd fall for THOSE fake peepers !!!" But other than them, the fish don't seem to mind.

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Clear cure goo. It's pricey and there are other alternatives but if you want them to stay on then that's your answer. It's uv activated resin if you haven't heard of it. Check out their website. They have videos of how to use their product. You might be able to find other product on ebay after that. Just check it out. It's cool stuff regardless.

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I've posted about this on other threads so here goes again.... As a commercial saltwater tyer I'm very concerned about the durability of my flies among other small items... After trying a variety of glues and techniques here's what I use -and the eyes usually outlast the the materials on the fly.... The fist thing you need is Fletch-Tite, it's a glue in a tube made specifically for folks that make their own arrows -it allows the attachment of the feathers (the fletching) on arrows and is very durable. It also comes with a long thin tube that's perfect for placing a single drop of glue exactly where you want it... I've always found the stuff at my local BassPro shop -but it should be available anywhere they sell archery supplies. I get a pretty good life out of a tube once it's opened as long as I use the cap that comes with it.

 

Now for how I use the stuff... Using only one eye at a time I glue it in place then clamp it with an Irwin mini-clamp or just a plain clothes pin for about 10 minutes, then repeat for the other side and you're ready to fish. Over the years I've gotten away from those pretty holographic soft plastic dome eyes since they don't hold up well at all. I much prefer the hard plastic doll eyes that come with a stem that you have to clip off before using. They're 10x more durable than the holographic items in actual use - but they don't look nearly as pretty on a new fly. I'm attaching a couple of pics to go with this -the first shows the hard plastic eyes, the second the holographic eyes that I no longer use... Hope this helps, give it a try....

 

ps/ messed up on the pics -the second pic shows lead eyes instead of the holographic example

 

Tight lines

Bob LeMay

(954) 435-5666

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I've had the same problem with Supergluing eyes to deer-hair bass bugs. I even bought the little cautery tool to create little eye sockets in the packed deer hair to glue the eyes into, and they still fell out. What I've started doing is using glitter nail polish for the iris and a drop of black Testors model paint for the pupil. The polish and paint both dry to the touch within a minute of application. The eyes look really cool (to me, anyway), and they will last as long as the fly itself. It's an easy and inexpensive method, too.

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Take a sharp pin or a exacto knife and put some little scratches on the back of the eye. Some plastic eyes are so smooth on the back the glue has nothing to bond to. It helps a lot. Also, some plastic molds require a release agent sprayed on it so when part is done it ejects from the mold and doesn't stick. Is like PAM in you skillet. Residue can still be on the eye. Etching with a little alcohol will remove this, but the scratching thing will do the trick. I use 527 bond. They stay on dude. Goop is good too.

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Every time I put an eye on a fly the eyes last about an hour before they fall off. I am using super glue to stick them on should I be using something else?

 

You didn't mention what kind of eyes you're using, what kind of fishing you're doing, or what you're gluing them to. How about a little information? What works in one situation might not work in another.

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I am using some eyes that I bought at the craft store. Most of the flies will be used for bass and pike.( Not very big) The flies are mostly made from rabbit hair and streamer hackle

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If they're wiggle eyes or solid plastic, just a dab of Household GOOP on the back will keep them on. Super glue, epoxy, or anything that's brittle won't hold if you bang the fly against a rock or the side of a boat. If you'd post a picture of the fly and the eyes you're using, you could get specific instructions.

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Fletch-Tite coems highly recommended by some of the guys I know who tie commercially, but I use Zap-A-Gap and rarely (though occasionally) lose an eye. A drop on the back of the eyes, squeeze a moment, and let sit overnight. I've been thinking about trying Gorilla SuperGlue, 'cause I've started using it around the house and it's great.

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