Eye question

[eljefepaul]

When applying large prism eyes (flat), how do you get them to take the shape of the body. I can never get the self adhesive stick to hold the eye, for example around a cylindrical shape. Probably a simple answer like apply crazy glue or extra glue something but that seems to require holding them in the shape you want...and gluing your fingers on the fly...
?
Anyone have answers?
Thank you.

[Ray]

Once you have the eys in place apply a light coat of hard as nails or another nail polish-type hard clear coating.

[bonefishdick]

A good friend of mine said " a Striper can't stand anything looking Back at it. "

If you want to use the stick on eyes my other good friend does it this way. He uses the clear mono with a minimum number of wraps to hold them in place and contour to the curve of the head and then cote with cement.

Try a few practice ties before doing a whole fly to see if you like they way they look.

[eljefepaul]

"they can't stand anything looking back at them", does that mean they will wack the hell out of that thing or run for cover?

I found another post where wax/parchment is used...just tried and its very effective. Drop some glue on eyes and hold contour desired for three mins. Sets perfectly. They come out better if you don't move your fingers for three mins...if you keep checking and reapplying pressure some of the wax on paper can ghost on to eyes. Regardless once expoy is on top the shine comes back.
Cheers! Go Celtics. :-%

[NHA2005]

I suggest shaping the eye buy lightly folding it in half (to get a crease) then apply zap-a-gap to the head of the fly. Finally, press eyes into glue, let dry, and epoxy.

[S.Eelman]

I use both the Folding (Creasing) the Tape eyes and afew wraps of Mono thread over them... both methods get the Tape eye to behave, until you Epoxy them. Or use Tuffleye...;)

Just finished some Sardina Patterns for Baja and the eyes conformed to the Heads with these Methods....:cool:

[tbn43]

Zap-A-Gap-A-Goo is part Zap-A-Gap super-glue and part rubber cement.
It is great stuff. After that I coat with epoxy.

[Ray]

Try the Mirage Eyes too. They are thinner and far more compliant than most stick-on eyes.

[Onshore]

Zap-a-Gap Goo and when hardened, cover with Hard As Nails nail polish.
Then the first strike will be a Bluefish and, do it again.

[Henry]

Well, I've never had a problem. I take whole/new "stick-on eye sheets", place a peice of waxed paper on the "peel-off" side, and wrap the works around a 1/4inch wooden dowel (eyes up of course!)...then secure the roll with some "low-tack" tape (the kind used for painting trim and such). Hit it with a hair dryer on high for 30 or so seconds and set it aside or store it in your tying desk.

When you need eyes, roll off and peel as many eyes as you need, then re-roll to store again. Each eye will have more than enough curve to contour nicely on any fly you tie...best part is...they stay that way.

PS. work a little "softex" into your head material where the eyes will go to provide an even better substrate for the eyes.

Hope this helps.

Henry

[DAWNPATROL]

I also try to get the eyes to maintain a curved shape by rolling them between my index finger and thumb. I try to get them to take on the shape of a taco.

The sheeted mylar used to manufacture these has a grain to it just like paper does. When you start to roll them between your fingers you will notice that the eye will naturally bend in half better in one direction than the opposite direction. Once you get used to rolling them it is pretty easy to shape them for round surfaces like tubings and the like. Sometimes it is necessary to roll them very tightly which almost creases them.

I would also have to suggest putting a base coat of Softex on the area where the eye will go, let it dry then apply the eye and coat it with more Softex. This produces a very durable eye which can also be repaired if need be, with more Softex.

That's my 2 cents.
Dawnpatrol