gabreamfanatic
New member
got a little problem with my head cement. it has turned into a sold block of cement.how do you guys keep it from truing into solid mass of unusable cement?
head cement
- Thread starter gabreamfanatic
- Start date
Fatman
Active member
If you're talking fly tying cement you can try some acetone but use a little bit at a time, let it sit then try and stir it if it's still hard add some more. If it's too far gone it may be cheaper to get a new bottle.
Truthfully this is the first time I've heard of this - I've had a bottle I got when I first started tying flies and it hasn't hardened at all. Since I learned to whip finish I really don't use it anymore.
Truthfully this is the first time I've heard of this - I've had a bottle I got when I first started tying flies and it hasn't hardened at all. Since I learned to whip finish I really don't use it anymore.
redman
New member
I have two that I use Sally's Hard as Nails is one. The other is Clear lacquer and MEK mixed half and half. Acetone works for most all head cements. Just follow the Fatman's advice. I would learn how to whip finish as Doug is right you really won't need head cement if you do.
Redman
Redman
I have had 2 different containers of head cement dry up that way...... one had been left in my car and the other i had forgotten to put away and sat on a window sill for a few days. I threw them out. Never bought any 'fly tying' head cement since - Sally's works good. Same goes with the nail polish though, don't leave it in a hot place or in direct sunlight. 
CrappieHappy
Moderator
I use water base cement now.. I also use SH hard as nails. I whip finish as well, but like the insurance of the cement.
smalljaw
New member
I'll put a whip finish on it and a little super glue unless it has eyes or a weedguard and then I mix up a little Devcon 2 Ton epoxy. Does anyone that gets head cement put it into an applicator bottle? I always wondered if the tube gets clogged.
Yep It will clog, but a long hat pin stuck in the end acts like a cap and clog removal . I have quart cans of those kind of liquids . Tap the can with a screw on the side or bottom the air stays at the top when you pull the screw to let out the liquid keeping new air from flowing in . Lasts a lot longer if you refridgerate it at 36 to 38 degrees .
StumpHunter
Active member
I use water based polyurethane.
Fatman
Active member
tried looking it up but getting ready to head home
StumpHunter
Active member
RJD said:
Same stuff or dang close. I used the water based head cement and can't tell any difference in the two besides the cost...
Lost Pole
New member
Fatman
Active member
I'd be kind of worried about using the lighter fluid, with fumes and vynal that kind of defeats the water based.
I double whip finish and use Fly-Tite to seal the deal. I like it because it doesn't stink or contain nasty chemicals. I put it in one of those long needle tip squeeze bottles. I've never had a problem with it clogging or drying out.
I mainly use it because I've switched to using monofilament thread for my crappie jigs. The stuff works great, it's cheap at $2.20 for 400 yards, and blends with any color since it's clear. The drawback is it's as slick as all get out. I tried breaking the mono by pulling it once, and it snapped back and untied the whip finish knot. So I glue and cut it with scissors.
I mainly use it because I've switched to using monofilament thread for my crappie jigs. The stuff works great, it's cheap at $2.20 for 400 yards, and blends with any color since it's clear. The drawback is it's as slick as all get out. I tried breaking the mono by pulling it once, and it snapped back and untied the whip finish knot. So I glue and cut it with scissors.
Fatman
Active member
I've got some of that mono thread and you're right it is slick!!!!!!! Wish they had something like it without the slickness