Managed to track down some more bulk tying material sources, figured to pass them on.
Vinyl Cement comprises about 50% of the head cement market, it is a flexible bond that is used for working flies, slightly opaque and has a dull finish, so it is not used on “presentation” flies that require a transparent high gloss finish.
Available under a blizzard of recognizable names, all are descended from the venerable HH-66 cement from Mauritzon Inc. A gallon may be a bit excessive, but a quart is merely $14.40 – that is a lifetime supply. Quarts of thinner are available for $8.55. Thin the cement to water-consistancy before using.
The motherlode of Tungsten beads, brass beads, and tungsten barbell eyes is available in China. Unfortunately their web site leaves much to be desired, but TopMim International appears to be the source for everyone. The manufacturer is JinJu Powder Metallurgy Inc, whose site mentions minimum quantity is 1000 beads. Both sites mention supplying beads to the fly fishing industry, and their bead photos can be found on many middlemen sites in the US and Europe.
I sent them an email to get their price list, hopefully it is in Euro’s or Dollars.
If you are unwilling to take on international trade, Rings & Things has the round 2mm – 5mm copper, silver, and gold, beads for $1 per 100. That is about 1/4 the price of your fly shop. Buy 1000 (2mm) and the price is 50 cents per 100. (Minimum order $25, make sure you get a catalog) Can’t beat the price.
Eidnes Furs has some nice prices on animal pelts. We don’t need the fancy #1 quality, the damaged #3’s will do just fine. They have some interesting feathers as well – but the pelt prices are cheap.
Technorati Tags: fur, vinyl cement, fly tying, tungsten beads
I ordered 1000 each of 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, gold, and 1000 2mm copper from Rings & Things. I think the total with shipping was about $34. That will keep me in beads for a bit, and is just over the $25 minimum order limit. They charge $4 additional if the order is less than $50.
I will report on them as soon as they arrive – for those that are interested.
The HH-66 is available in 4oz, and 8oz also.
http://www.rochfordsupply.com/product_listing.asp_Q_CatID_E_406_A_SubCatID_E_426_A_ProdID_E_3262
Great quality mohair that is very similar to seal can be found in large quantities by doing a web search for mohair doll’s hair. You will find suppliers direct from their sheep and they offer a number of different cuts. you want the first cut that is very hard to distinguish from seal. Remember to cut the mohair into smaller lengths.