Dubbing

[davet]

Need some help guys and gals.
Have just received some Mature Seals Fur (various colours) for dubbing, but just cannot get the stuff to stick on my tying silk. Have tried waxing (using a candle) and moistening the silk with spit!

Can anyone give me some pointers? Please?

[TAFFTASTIC]

It might be your putting too much on at a guess??

TT

[syphogenic]

Pick out about 5-8 fibres and offer them up to thread horizontally or 90 degrees to the thread...squeeze your thumb and index finger really hard together as you wind the fibres in one direction clockwise. Once you have applied a thin base to the thread, you can build on it. If like me you have dry skin on your hands, apply some wax to your thumb and index finger, this will help you lay your base.

[Scratch]

No amount of goz or wax will help mate. It's all about getting the seals fur (or any other dubbing for that matter) to stick, or rather 'knit' to itself, then tighten around the thread.
As Taff says, you could be using too much. Try a very small pinch.. spread it out slightly in the palm of your hand, offer up to the thread, then with a swift, firm roll between finger (index or middle) and thumb, roll it around the thread in the same direction - usually clockwise, or away from you - it should now have formed a reasonably tight rope around the thread. Now, take a larger pinch, but hold it in the opposite hand to which you rolled the first batch. Offer this up to your 'rolling' hand and pinch a few fibres from the fresh bunch, rolling as you go. Piching off the 'supply' bunch and rolling is one flowing movement. Keep repeating this process unitll you are happy with the end product. With practice you will be able to just grab a lump of seals fur, offer it up, and roll away. Remember - the dubbing is not sticking to the thread... it's sticking and 'knitting' to itself, and you tighten it around the thread.

Edit -

Sypho posted whilst I was typing. Good advice there. I agree with the dry hands thing. If anything, it's fingers that need waxing or gozzing on! One of the reasons I have a moisturising routine! Also, try just rubbing your thumb and rolling finger together, pressing reallt hard... usually fetches a little grease to the surface.

[sonnaghan]

Run your thumb and index finger quite a few times(10) up and down the thread. This helps the wax on the thread to soften and become more adhesive. Another tip, after all those other excellent tips, is to drop a LITTLE liquid wax directly onto the thread.

[sabsman]

Hi Davet,

This does the trick for me:

If your using a multi-strand thread like UTC or Gordon Griffith sheer then you can split the thread and insert a small amount of seals fur then spin the bobbin for a while to trap the strands.

No need for waxing or getting frustrated watching it all fall on the floor when trying to dub it on with your fingers.

Sabsman.

[davet]

Thanks guys, have just created a new fly! A DumpyHammer! Using fur combed from my collie pup instead of seals!
Your advise all seems to be helping, but the egg yarn I got from Canada has a fine core which makes it difficult to work with (watching Dave Cammis on YouTube).
Orange flies seem to be the flavour at my local watery holes at the moment, so trying to tie a few before the weekend.
Anyone got any orange patterns they'd care to swap for some Dumpy fur? lol

---------- Post added at 08:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:14 PM ----------

PS. Can anyone suggest a good supplier of materials in the UK?

[christy27]

Oooh I'm interested in this post. I have a few methods I try, like you. Some work, just about, with one material and some better with others. None for me work consistantly and that nags me. The ideas above have got me thinking.

[Scratch]

Originally Posted by sabsman

This does the trick for me:

If your using a multi-strand thread like UTC or Gordon Griffith sheer then you can split the thread and insert a small amount of seals fur then spin the bobbin for a while to trap the strands.

No need for waxing or getting frustrated watching it all fall on the floor when trying to dub it on with your fingers.

All well and good, but that would just be a quick fix, and Dave wouldn't learn the technique that we're talking about - simple, straightforward dubbing... which when done properly, loses nothing to the carpet.

[davet]

PS. Can anyone suggest a good supplier of materials in the UK?