GEEMAN Posted June 13, 2005 Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 I'm interested in hearing what others use on the thread wrap when finishing bucktail jigs. I've used a few different things like Super Glue , water based head cement , Zap a Gap etc. but still have a problem with threads unraveling from time to time. The Super Glue works the best but is a pain to use due to the small tubes/ stick factor on fingers , tools , work bench and anything else I touch. LOL I just started tying my own bucktails this last winter so am still in the learning stages. I know there's got to be somthing better out there than what I'm using. Forgive me if this topic has been brought up before but I could'nt find anything on the subject. Thanks for any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musky_man Posted June 13, 2005 Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 Geeman, I use lacquer (head cement) ... let that dry thoroughly (leave a day) and then mix a tiny bit of 5-minutes epoxy and dabble it over the windings with your fingers. You will have to keep the bait slowly rotating in your fingers for about 2-3 minutes until the epoxy sets ....leaves a nice smooth finish. You do not need much -- I dab a blob of A and B about the size of a large tablet each (500 mg of vit C) on a piece of masking tape and mix them together with a toothpick. That works well for me .... been tying for 25+ years. Hope that is some help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Brush Posted June 13, 2005 Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 Hey Geeman, Out2llunge put together a tutorial on PDF on how-to make musky bucktails. Check-it out It's a printable pdf file http://www.tackleunderground.com/tutimages//o2l_bucktail/Bucktail_101.pdf Shawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LedHed Posted June 13, 2005 Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 Geeman Try using clear fingernail polish and thinned down fingernail polish. You want to make sure whatever you are using is penetrating the threads and bucktail. Quick drying is an asset ? you can also get an accelerator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingfish Posted June 13, 2005 Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 I've used the head cement available for tying flies with good results but found the cost to be a little high due to the number of bottles I'd go through and so I started to experiment. Clear nail polish works well but smells and is also more than I'd like to spend, the brush worked well for application to the threads. The past several years I've been using a product called Fabri-Tac that is clear, waterproof, fast grab, and quick bonding, it's made by a company called Beacon in Mt. Vernon NY, www.beacon1.com. I thin it down with a reducer for automotive paint called Centari and use head cement applicator bottles to apply to the threads. You'll find many different methods of doing the same thing from the people on this site and all will work, this is just a method I've used that is fast, inexpensive, never comes undone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VARick Posted June 13, 2005 Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 I use either regular head cement or "Hard as Nails". this is a clear nail polish that has a hard surface when dry. Easier to use than epoxy .. just not quite as hard. It will penetrate the wraps and give you a good solid bond. Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WidowMaker Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 I usually make three rounds with the whip finisher and pull it tight. Then make three more rounds and pull it tight again before cutting the thread. It may be a little noticeable but the result is a very tight wrap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEEMAN Posted June 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 Thanks for the suggestions all. I went and got myself some hard as nails and am going give that a whirl. I think I have my wrap problem solved just wanted to know other options than the crappy head cement ? I was using. I was having problems this spring with some jigs I tied up comming unraveled after a few fish. By pure dumb luck I had run into a pattern that was absolutely killing the Walleyes and Saugers on the local river here while most other guys were pulling zip with the same old same old jigs and rigs. Anyhow , I assumed it was the head cement I was using that was causing me problems. That and rookie mistakes. Well , anyhow , I've come up with a few more color/material scemes to lay on those fish and just want to make sure I don't end up with pieces parts on the bucktail front again after just a few fish. LOL PS , The tutorial was great and is how I tie my bucktails. Thanks again ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...