antron dubbing/flashbright

[greyhoundgirl]

Hi All
tied up a few brassies this moring and the abscence of dark rabbit or musrat decided to use antron dubbing. Well i managed to cobble some flies together but really struggled with the antron, with or without wax it was really hard to use. Is it a difficult material to dub or is it just me - if its me but any help would be appreciated.
Also just looking at buying a mixed box of flashbright - is this also antron but with a sparkle???
thanks, grey

[stevekale]

I think you have to dub it "Davie McPhail style" by which I mean get a turn in and then tighten the dubbing, turn, tighten etc.

[greyhoundgirl]

Originally Posted by stevekale

I think you have to dub it "Davie McPhail style" by which I mean get a turn in and then tighten the dubbing, turn, tighten etc.

Yes, thanks for that - i've watched Davie and noticed his method. TBH i did try it but not with much success, i'll go back and have another look tho.
grey

[notenuftoys]

Is the dubbing too thick on the thread? I've had difficulty because it was being too generous with the dubbing. Possibly try less, and use more wraps.

[greyhoundgirl]

Originally Posted by notenuftoys

Is the dubbing too thick on the thread? I've had difficulty because it was being too generous with the dubbing. Possibly try less, and use more wraps.

thanks - i tried to split and thin it - i'll take another try
grey

[tupps]

I use a lot of Antron in mixes that I make up usually with natural furs. I snip the Antron up as the fibres are very long and wizz them up in an old coffee grinder to blend the mix.

Even then it's a case of keeping the amount worked with to a minimum but it does dub well once you get a twist on it. When I pick it out I use long pointed scalpel blade because of it's long tough fibres.

Most Antron is produced for making carpets with.

[derek365]

Originally Posted by greyhoundgirl

Is it a difficult material to dub or is it just me - if its me but any help would be appreciated.
Also just looking at buying a mixed box of flashbright - is this also antron but with a sparkle???
thanks, grey

Start off with a small amounts because i've always found if you dub to much of it on the thread it's real pain to pick some off.
Stevekale is right about the technique of catching it in a twisting again.
I think Verniards Glister is Antron with some sparkle, don't know about Flashbright.

Cheers Derek

[greyhoundgirl]

Originally Posted by tupps

I use a lot of Antron in mixes that I make up usually with natural furs. I snip the Antron up as the fibres are very long and wizz them up in an old coffee grinder to blend the mix.

Even then it's a case of keeping the amount worked with to a minimum but it does dub well once you get a twist on it. When I pick it out I use long pointed scalpel blade because of it's long tough fibres.

Most Antron is produced for making carpets with.

Tupps
think this could be the answer - yes thread is difficult to break. i'll snip with scissors as you say. Now unfortunately i haven't got a coffee grinder but i wonder if that herb chopping mezzaluna thingumy would do the job

thanks to all for your help
grey

[Angus McLeod]

Hi Grey,
Just chuck the ingredients for your dubbing mix into the bottom of a screw-top jar (empty coffee jar or similar) half fill with water, and give it all a good shake for a minute or so. Then pour off the water, remove the resulting soggy mass, and leave to dry. I find that boiling water works best, but cold will do. As the lads say, chop the antron into short lengths -- or, better still, buy a few packets of Spectra dubbing. It's brilliant stuff, but don't buy the 'selection box'. If you do, you will find that you never use three quarters of the colours.
Just another thought: When you are going to apply the dubbing to the thread, take the amount you think you will need, then halve it. Once you have done that, halve it again. And you will still probably have too much. Little and often are the watchwords for dubbing, with the emphasis on the little.


Angus