flytire 0 Report post Posted October 28, 2015 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flytire 0 Report post Posted October 28, 2015 oops prepare not repair Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rolf Jacobsen 0 Report post Posted October 28, 2015 Thank you!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goose77 0 Report post Posted October 28, 2015 That is excellent...pretty much anything D McPhail does is worth watching. I've got to say flytire, I appreciate not only your tying, but these contributions you make to this forum. Thank you, Ed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
add147 0 Report post Posted October 29, 2015 Steam is also good for chenille as well...It will straighten out the chenille if it is all crinkled up and it will also puff out the fibers to make it full and fluffy. I managed to score a electric steam pot for $5 at a garage sale and it works perfect. Use a pair of tweezers to keep from burning your fingers though when working with short pieces. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capt Bob LeMay 0 Report post Posted October 29, 2015 I've long used steam to prep feathers that have taken a set in storage - and it's a miracle (if you're careful not to overheat your feathers). Here's a tip that will help those learning to steam various materials. If you hold your feathers (or capes or patches) by hand you'll know just how close to the steam they can be - too close and your hand will know it... I alternate steaming with air drying when possible (although if you need those feathers with as little curve as possible then drying them between sheets of paper towel with a light weight on top of the stack (a board, nothing very heavy....) will work pretty well. A lot of the feathers I use (both neck and saddles) come as cheap strung goods not particularly suitable for anything other than saltwater use so learning to steam them as an initial prep came early as I had to be in production mode most times at the bench.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazy4oldcars 0 Report post Posted November 1, 2015 Try a little steam on deerhair bugs after their trimmed. It's like magic, watching it puff up. Kirk B. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Saltybum 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2015 I learned the steam trick on feathers about 46 years ago after taking up bow hunting before plastic vanes and compounds came around. In Florida we get a lot of rain and the arrows feathers would get pretty lousy looking until a little steam perked them right back up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flytire 0 Report post Posted November 7, 2015 yes the steaming technique is an old one but new tyers may not have ever heard of it and there are most likely a gazillion other uses as well Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adam Saarinen 0 Report post Posted November 7, 2015 I'm gonna try it! I'll hold some feathers next to the misses's ears! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruce M 0 Report post Posted November 9, 2015 This technique not only works on the duck quills but it also works on mallard flanks very well Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flytire 0 Report post Posted November 9, 2015 yes just like davie shows in his video Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruce M 0 Report post Posted November 9, 2015 Lol, yeah maybe I should have watched the video first, just assumed he used a duck quill. Great method none the less Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikechell 0 Report post Posted November 9, 2015 I'm gonna try it! I'll hold some feathers next to the misses's ears! And then tell her what you're really spending on fly tying supplies? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites