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Just started tying jigs this week. Been doing two half hitches to sinch off the end. Thought I would try a whip finish. I got a thompson style. After 2 hours watching videos and reading I still have no idea how to make this thing work. I think It may end up in the scrap pile before the night is up. Any suggestions. Several people have told me a half hitch is just as good but I just was trying to learn this tool.
I have whip finished by hand for over forty years. Several half hitch knots and some hard as nails is all you really need.
lol told you dusty....!!!!
Ship will a drop or two of head cement hold the half hitch knots well enough? I have been just putting two of what I would call a double half hitch knots in when finishing then just putting a couple drops of head cement on with a bobkin I believe it is called and then rub it in on top of knots. I just got a coulple bottles of the hard as nails this week and will try it and see how it works also.
I just started tying earlier this year and I started with half hitch knots usually with three and some glue and I havenot had one lure come unwrapped yet. I whip finish with a tool now and once you get the hang of it, I think you would like it. I have been useing loons head cement and been haveing good luck with it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jigg'n Fool
Yes yes I have to agree with Ship!!! I hand whip all my jigs it takes about 2 seconds. Yes some where in some dusty box lays two or three of those whip finish tools. A old walleye jig maker taught me how to do it by hand and have been doing it that way for 30 years. Its faster and better IMHO. And yes I use Sally Hanson's hard as nails as a head cement. I have tried them all from commercial head cement to polyuritaine varnish. Sally's seems to work the best for me. If it aint broke don't fix it. Do if it is working for you and are happy with it keep on. If not than find something that you are. And remember simple most of the time is better.
Redman
x 2 redman....differnet things work for different folks....
First your using a whip finish tool that is not really for jig and more for flies with only a hook eye to go around. You need a Maratelli style to make it easier and not to say it's the only way as many use a half hitch, but there are reasons that the whip finish is better.
That is what happens when people buy kits and the Thompson come in most kits and they are hard to get use to using them. They don't fit well in jig tying IMHO! I will not use a half hitch my self.
Skip
I have a large button with some 6 lb test line tied on......at the end I have a loop. I lay the loop against the wrapped thread when nearly finished and make ten wraps from the back end of the thread wrap forward. I then clip the thread leaving two inches or so and then thread the thread end through the line loup and while holding tension on the thread, pull the button back making the thread tuck under the ten wraps on the way out. Clip off the tag end and you are done. Takes longer to read than to do.
I seen the tool for a dollar so I thought I would try it. I did notice in the videos they were using the thompson on flies and straight hooks like you said. That was the problem for me I kept catching the eye and pulling it off the tool. Do you not need cement when you whip finish?
some use cement and some dont when they whip..Its a prefrence thing..
I also use the Maratelli style whip finish tool and I like it. That's the way I learned to finish when I started tying and it's the only way I've ever done it. I can't really compare the different ways, but I do like the whip finish tool.
I bought a rotary whip finisher from my local BPS and had the guy in the fly tying shop to show me how to use it if u have a BPS close by u might give them a try cause the videos didn't help me either and once he walked me threw it a couple of times I picked it up and then went home and now I'm a pro lol
couple of half hitches and a drop of glue. have caught over 100 crappie on a single jig and it hasn't come apart.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jigg'n Fool
Try doing it by hand. This is the best video I've seen on it:
YouTube - NEW FLIES - HAND WHIP FINISHING - NEW FLY TYING VIDEOS
I feel even Whip by hand is better than a Thompson, LOL! I just have got so use to the Maratelli I just like it and they work well for me and would do more by hand if my hands were not so dry and catch on the thread way too easy.
Skip
Your doing a guide wrap tie of LOL! Same thing applies to both.Quote:
Originally Posted by macon123
I'm with Skip on this one, get a Materelli whip finisher if you have to have a tool for it. The Thompson is more for fly tying IMO, but I do alot of whip finish's by hand also. Make's the jig look better and I feel it holds better than a couple of half hitchs.
You can get away with it with jigs. But with flies you need one I hand whip finish also it's not as hard as people think you need to have somone show you how raiser than a video . And a martinelli whip finisher much easier.
use a hand for securing thread base and then finisherat the end...but I'm not an expert...just works for me
Adam
I had an instruction session at BPS, one on one, before I tried to tie my first jig. He showed me how to use a materelli and I've never used anything else. This isn't the first time I've heard a Thompson cussed. I can hide my thread under the edge of the chenille better than I think I could any other way. Sally is a must and helps me when I sometimes get a little over zealous and break the thread late in the going. I secure the break, refinish and sally, none dis assembled so far. One of my brown jigs in my box has over 80 fish on it and it still looks good. I wish you were close enough I could let you try the materelli, you'd probably change your mind.
YouTube - Using a Rotary Whip Finisher Tool for Fly Tying Fishing
YouTube - Whip finish tool
and one of the best
YouTube - Whip Finish Tool by Tony Jay
You couldn't take mine away for anything. I have too many callouses on my fingers that catch thread, for me to do it by hand.
Been using Hard as nails well over ten years. To me it is more effective and cost effective too. The key is doing neat wraps and using flat waxed nylon thread. It absorbs the nail polish better.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jigging15
Am I the only one who gets strange looks at the drug store or Wally world when I buy 3 bottles of Sally Hansen's Hard as nails???? I am man enough that I don't even bother to explain. But some of the looks I get are great.
Redman
Me either.
I hear ya Redman, definately get some weird looks
I use a whip finisher for everyhting I tie including jigs. never had a problem once I learned to use one. Also makes it easy to finish with hard as nails because I can hold everything ready to wrap, add a drop and then whip in a coule seconds. I also whip finish a good 6-10 wraps out of habit.
As for which is more effective, whichever you are better at doing is going to be more effective, IMHO.
i whip finish by hand.just learned it that way and im used to it.also use sally on the threads