eyes for flies

[jim cosgrove]

[dick tabbert]

Jim is this the stuff you were talking about.

[jim cosgrove]

this is the material i have been discussing for use as eyes.it has a fiber optic quality that is enhanced when the ends are dipped in UV cure resin to form the eye

[jim cosgrove]

[jim cosgrove]

this pic kinda shows how the material gathers indirect sunlight and carries it to the end of the cord.i have many types of this material,larva lace vinyl ribbing micro tubing etc.this is the only one that has this property

[dick tabbert]

So this material will not work if you melted the ends for the eyes it has to be cut straight across.

[jim cosgrove]

[jim cosgrove]

in this pic the end has been dipped in the UV resin and cured with the light.it is still attached to the length of the cord.eyes made from this material will gather light and glow .

[dick tabbert]

Makes sense Jim instead of melting the eyes and changing the light gathering properties putting on a clear UV resin to build up the eye. I think you might be onto something.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

In the back ground of this foto I see what looks like a handwheel - just above the spinner baits.
I know it to be the back end of a rotary vice.

Can you tell me what brand it is? I have one just like it.
I'm guessing it's long out of production, eh?

[jim cosgrove]

it is an old rotary vice i use mostly for jigs or making extended bodies on needles.didn't pay a lot for it it spins very smoothly but the jawas although well designed are mis aligned and tend to pop open on smaller flies.my buddy is getting a cnc milling machine hoping maybe he can make some jaws for it.it was a well thought out design but just not precise enough to be a reliable vice.a shame cause i am not into 200 dollar vices.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

It DOES work well.
It's not a great design, because the jaws are softer than the locking cam - mine is wallowed out and also don't securely lock.

My friend the machinist recommended boring out the cam screw and pressing in an insert of the same hardness. Then machine the slot and voila!
This saves the hassle of making a new jaw piece

Unfortunately, he cannot do it. Maybe your friend can do TWO?

[jim cosgrove]

maybe i dont know if he's up and running yet.he's a clever guy so maybe.seems the makers had a great design but not the money to do it right.the heavy wheel is a nice feature.maybe i can canabalise another vice.