Fly tying thread

[grsjax]

I was looking at some fly tying thread and was wondering if anyone has used it to rig a model or for making rope on a rope walk.  The stuff was 100% polyester fiber that had been waxed.

[toms10]

Hi grsjax,

I am far from an expert but I made some rope with my ropewalk out of 100% polyester and it came out very "stretchy" or somewhat elastic.  If I use something with at least 25% cotton  and the rest polyester the rope does stretch like an elastic.  The polyester also tends to have a sheen about it which I don't like but that is just a preference.

Tom

[Ponto]

Perfect for stropping blocks.

[jdbondy]

I am making extensive use of fly tying thread on my 3/16" scale model of the Pride of Baltimore 2. It's been most useful for 2 things: as serving line to give a natural fiber line an appearance more resembling of standing rigging, and for seizing blocks. So far I haven't used fly tying thread for the actual rigging itself, as its appeareance wouldn't be natural enough (plus I see the comment above about it being too stretchy, which I believe). But nothing beats it so far when it comes to seizing blocks or serving line. To secure seizings, I am currently using Flexament, also a fly tying product that seems to be doing a great job of securing the seizings to the underlying natural fiber line. I initially tried doing this with flat topcoat, but it did not provide a reliable bond.

 

Attached is a picture showing a seizing of fly tying thread being tied around a line that has been previously served with fly tying line, exemplifying both of the things I use it for!

 

[mikiek]

It's almost a must for smaller scale builds. Even sewing thread can look too big. That said it can have you seeing double before too long. I don't remember the first brand/size I got but I didn't like it. Almost seemed like it was made of lots of pieces and under some conditions it would loosen up, fray and even come apart. From a suggestion here I use Uni-Thread 6/0 now and it has worked quite well.

[dafi]

Best material for small scales :-)

 

Posted February 20, 2013

 

XXXDAn

[wefalck]

Indeed, dafi made a lot of experiments with fly-tying thread for small scales ...

 

Personally, I found the Veevus-brand from Denmark the best: http://veevus.com/. They have various useful colours, such as greys, tans, and of course black. Also they go down to 16/0, which is useful for making really small-scale ropes. Usual disclaimer: I do not have any business-relationship with the company other than as a customer. I got the stuff from various ebay-sources btw.

 

 

[Richvee]

Would this fly tying thread work well for ratlines? If so, can anyone suggest a size for 1:64 scale ratlines?

[Richard Griffith]

Richvee, ratlines were 1.5 inch rope so for your model, that would be .023 inch thread (1.5/64).   Something close to that size will work, just visualize what looks about right.                       

 

Keep building and above all. have fun!

 

Duff

[jdbondy]

My model is 1:64, and I am using 0.006" thread (Morope) for the ratlines. The problem one would have with fly tying thread is its comparative stiffness for its size. It may be difficult to get it to hang in a curve, and synthetic fly tying thread would not absorb dilute glue well enough to get it to conform to the shape you want it to take. I love fly tying line for seizings and serving, but I don't think it would work well for ratlines.

[wefalck]

Fly-tying thread may be a bit stiff, but I am making my own rope from it and rope is less stiff than the thread itself. A bit of matt varnish (or black paint for the rat-lines) keeps things in shape.

[William-Victory]

I just bought some a little while ago. Its finer than human hair and strong.  But I am a beginner and it gets away from me and I end up with rats nest on the end of my blocks.

Really fine and can be hard to work with at first.

[ScottRC]

Many years ago, I took a class in fly tying and acquired the tools. To this day, I have tied maybe six flies, but the vise, thread bobbin, and head cement has been excellent for seizing and threading on small parts.  The bobbin is a must to keep the thread manageable.  

 

[MartinJ]

Don't forget the wire fly tiers use as well. It comes in diameters from 0.0045"(37 gauge) to 0.0135"(28 gauge) and a variety of colors. 100 yards per spool for $1.65 ea. at J.Stockard (jsflyfishing.com). They also have a full range of threads of silk, polyester and nylon as well as vises in all price ranges, hackle pliers, bobbins, etc.  BTY: you can get a vice there for $7.00! And no, I don't get any compensation for touting them.

[William-Victory]

Wire seems like a good thing to try. 

I would hope it would hold its shape and not end up looking like the muff of a 70’s porn queen if I make a mistake. 

Yar!!!!