[Hamish Young]

So here's a thing.... Ben (remember him No OK moving swiftly on then....) recommended me to Bug Bond for my streamers and saltwater flies as I recall Magnus and other forum users did likewise. It's good/handy stuff and I've used it for a few years on and off, although I do still like making up batches of epoxy for the craic.

I'll get through a bottle of bug bond quickly when the 'bug' to tie flies has bitten. And it has again, I have been tying with some gusto of late with this and next years forays for Pollock and other salty swimmers in mind. Although I like Bug Bond but I've noticed that the finish is more often than not just a wee bit tacky to the touch, flies aren't sticking to each other but that tacky finish is not what I'm after.

Now I'll persist and even though I have changed batteries and 'cured' patterns for what seems like hours (actually, it was hours and the ceiling got a lovely tan  ) what I need to know is it worth persisting or are there other products out there that are better I'd be interested to hear what folk have to say on this one, or if they've experienced the same issues.

H

[Andrew Ellis]

Personally I find all of these resins cure with a slight tacky feel. Having cured them, I just leave them for a day or so on the windowsill and then give them a coat of Sally H. Bug Off is cheaper than Bug Bond and I notice no difference.

Andrew

[James Abel]

Bug off is the way to go easier less mess cheaper I now have bug off light it's better IMHO😊

[Hamish Young]

Thanks chaps, I'll investigate Bug Off when my current stash of Bug Bond is used up 

[Sandy Nelson]

Hi H

Is it getting on a bit? I have both standard and Lite and have noticed that this year it was staying a wee bit tacky, never did it before, I think as the epoxy gets older it does not cure properly, so maybe better to not buy in bulk

As for torches, Barry recommended a laser pen thing off ebay a few years ago.  Its great and you have more control. The link must be here somewhere. i'll have a look.

Sandy

[Sandy Nelson]

This what I've been using, and its great


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Professional-1mW-Blue-Purple-Beam-Laser-Lazer-Light-Pointer-Pen-High-Powerful-/131920663565?hash=item1eb715940d:g:p5EAAOSwYHxWIMBe

[Roger Hoad]

All of these UV cure resins have a 'shelf life'. Unfortunately I think that the only one that carries the appropriate information is Liquid Glass UV cure resin from Harvey Angling. This has a 3 year shelf life.

I had similar problems with tackiness with both the Harvey Angling and Bug Bond Lite products.

I bought some Solarez products and have found the UV Thin Hard formula to be excellent, it cures very quickly with no tack and if left in daylight for a couple of days sets rock hard. Normal cure time is stated as 15 seconds either by UV torch or placing in direct sunlight.

There are three products in the range, UV Thin Hard, Uv F-L-E-X formula and UV Thick Hard. The Thick hard is a bit too thick for small flies but would probably be good for larger streamers,fry imitations and salmon flies. I haven't found a use yet for the flexible formula but it would probably be good at repairing waders etc. The Thin is excellent on smaller fly heads and epoxy style buzzers.

All 3 come in 5 gram tubes with a small nozzle making it very easy to use. These tubes last a long time.

The product is made in the States by Wahoo. I have only found it for sale on e bay, The cheapest company is in France but their service is very good and so are their prices.

Hope this helps.

[Roger Hoad]

Forgot to add that you can control the viscosity of these products by heating or cooling them (Warm water or cold water is best method)

[Barry Robertson]

Hi H

Is it getting on a bit? I have both standard and Lite and have noticed that this year it was staying a wee bit tacky, never did it before, I think as the epoxy gets older it does not cure properly, so maybe better to not buy in bulk

As for torches, Barry recommended a laser pen thing off ebay a few years ago.  Its great and you have more control. The link must be here somewhere. i'll have a look.

Sandy

The right torch makes all the difference, bug bond is great with the torch on Sandy's link.
I still give the bug bond a single coat with nail varnish just to make sure 

Great stuff for deep water buzzers or buzzers that need Jungle cock on them !
Personally I wouldn't be without it 

[Rob Brownfield]

Try the Deer Creek Diamond UV resin. Far superior, cheaper and no tack

[Will Shaw]

Mmmm... not sure Rob. I agree that DC is not tacky, but I found it to be more brittle.

I still use BB and either live with the tack or coat with  Hard as Nails.

W.

[Steven Sinclair]

Try the Deer Creek Diamond UV resin. Far superior, cheaper and no tack

Another vote for deer Creek here. 

[Barry Robertson]

I guess its personal preference at the end of the day! Resin is resin and  I doubt there is much difference in the types!

[Hamish Young]

Is it getting on a bit?

Last years.....but it was unopened until a week ago.

As for torches, Barry recommended a laser pen thing off ebay a few years ago.  Its great and you have more control. The link must be here somewhere. i'll have a look.

I have one ordered 

[Robert MacDonald-Lewis]

Must admit to not using the stuff much at all.  Couple of year ago I did read a very informative post on A.N.Other forum about alternatives. If I remember correctly the flytying specific UV Cure resist are just re-branded product for women's fingers nail art / polish type stuff.

May be worth looking into cheaper smaller volume alternatives that would maybe help get around any shelf life issues.

[Hamish Young]

This what I've been using, and its great
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Professional-1mW-Blue-Purple-Beam-Laser-Lazer-Light-Pointer-Pen-High-Powerful-/131920663565?hash=item1eb715940d:g:p5EAAOSwYHxWIMBe

Absolutely marvellous bit of kit, has set a saltwater pattern in seconds this morning where the standard torch hasn't. I'm impressed 
Thanks for the tip Sandy 

[Sandy Nelson]

Cheers H

Baz's tip though Pleased it works, I use mine a lot with baitfish patterns as you can hit spots when you are building to hold it all together until you are ready for the final coats.
Another tip with the laser pen, if the Bugbond starts to get a little sticky again, change the batteries in the pen   took me a little while to figure that one out

Sandy

[Marc Fauvet]

Another tip with the laser pen, if the Bugbond starts to get a little sticky again, change the batteries in the pen   took me a little while to figure that one out

that's because light frequency changes as the electrical power output lowers. best is to have two sets of rechargable batteries. rechargables keep a higher/longer 'peak output' than throw aways. when that peak drops you just replace with the spare batteries.
 

[James Laraway]

in terms of using lazers to cure your resin  - i like the idea of something that works however im  little concerned about the safety aspect. Clearly looking into a laser will badly damange your eyes but how about reflected light from a laser, back of a flyhead or other reflective surface the lazer may inadvertantly point at ?

[Marc Fauvet]

good point James, this however depends from person to person.
most have no issues whatsoever whereas for myself, i almost instantly get a very sharp pain in my right eye followed by a dull migraine from the reflected light.
high UV index outdoors glasses don't help and even my ophtalmologist doesn't understand it.
needless to say, i don't use UV resins anymore... 

[James Laraway]

thanks for that Marc, having read what you wrote i dont think i'll be buying a lazer, i'll stick to the torches !

[Marc Fauvet]

actually, i meant any of the UV lights: torch, laser or manicure  light box.  i guess i have a hypersensitivy disorder... 😷