Tying questions

[chris kowaleski]

What type of cutters do you guys use to cut out foam bodies for flies? And also, I'm running low on some thread. What is a good recomended thread size?

[Allen Morgan]

For my foam hoppers, I just cut strips of foam from a foam sheet with a hobby knife (plastic model section of a hobby store), and a ruler to act as a straight-edge.  I use a pair of scissors to trim the blunt end when I start the fly.

I haven't tried anything more complex with foam, but I'll probably just use a pair of scissors.

Thread size is really dependent on the size fly you're tying.  I've heard that when you're tying flies, more wraps with a finer thread will result in a stronger fly.  I'm not sure if it's true or not.

For most of my flies, I use either a size 6/0, or a 70-denier size thread.  I've found those to be somewhat similar in size.  I do have some 140-denier thread, that I use when I'm dubbing with a split-thread method.  I've got some 8/0 thread, that I use when I'm going really small, like down to a size 20.

[dick tabbert]

I use a paper cutter when I cut strips and use the scissors from there.

[Ray Ditzenberger]

I use a paper cutter to cut strips of craft foam. I also use cylinders of various sizes to cut disks to use for poppers. I glue the disks together with CA glue. ......I use mostly 6/0 uni or 70 denier of other brands. I also use some 8/0 for small flies and 3/0 or 210 for flies with a little deer hair such as a Muddler. When I tie full on hair bugs I will sometimes use GPS instead of the 3/0 or 210.

[klrbaer]

I bought a paper cutter, you know, the one armed cutter. I bought it at wally world. It was only a few $$, and now all my strips for certain size flies are the same. The cutter works good on 0.5, 1, and 2 mm foam. It starts to roll the 3mm and you don't end up with a square cut. The good thing is that the fish don't seem to mind. Thread, I bought a bunch of Danville 70 denier and am using it up. I think the Uni 6/0 (70) is a better, stronger, more durable thread. I am slowly buying the Uni as I need it. Foam cutters: River Road Creation Cutters makes some really cool cutter. If you fish with hoppers, you can buy a set of cutters in what ever size you want, to make the entire hopper. You get 4 different cutters for the body parts and legs. Very Cool. They also have online instructions. The only problem is the set cost $ 45.00.

Check them out at http://www.riverroadcreations.com

[Rob Bowen]

The folks at river road creation make great cutters. I have about 5 cutters for various types of flies, they work great and last a long time.

[Bruce Tomaselli]

All I use and ever needed was a self healing cutting board and one of those cutters that looks like a pizza cutter. A razor blade and straight edge work just fine, too.

[Jesse Denton]

I cut sheet foam with a large pair of scissors, sometimes not so large.  I cutter cylinders with tubes salvaged from wrecked automatic umbrella shafts and other tubes, most 3/8" or smaller although I have one made from 1/2" EMT.  I use emery boards to shape the bodies for poppers and sliders on a very small wood screw in a battery powered rotary tool.  A chuck with variable sized opening is a real plus.