Problem with metal tinsel ribbing

[smee]

I am currently using small flat metal tinsel again for ribbing a number of traditional flies. I have not used this material for a number of years due to my preference for mylar or oval tinsel for most of my work.

The problem is, when I start to wind the metal tinsel, or after a couple of turns, it snaps at the tie-in point.

I am using Lagartun Small Metallic with Uni 8/0 but have also tried using Veniards tinsel and various other threads with similar results. I have tried reducing pressure at the tie-in point and changing the angle of the tinsel but no matter what I do it very often snaps. The current workaround I am using is not satisfactory at all - I place a thin smear of varnish on the back of the tinsel and wrap very gently. I don't remember having this problem before I used mylar tinsels and it's doing my head in!!!

I should be very grateful for any help offered.

Cheers

Smee

[Stuart_B]

Originally Posted by smee

I am currently using small flat metal tinsel again for ribbing a number of traditional flies. I have not used this material for a number of years due to my preference for mylar or oval tinsel for most of my work.

The problem is, when I start to wind the metal tinsel, or after a couple of turns, it snaps at the tie-in point.

I am using Lagartun Small Metallic with Uni 8/0 but have also tried using Veniards tinsel and various other threads with similar results. I have tried reducing pressure at the tie-in point and changing the angle of the tinsel but no matter what I do it very often snaps. The current workaround I am using is not satisfactory at all - I place a thin smear of varnish on the back of the tinsel and wrap very gently. I don't remember having this problem before I used mylar tinsels and it's doing my head in!!!

I should be very grateful for any help offered.

Cheers

Smee

I was watching Davie McPhail tying a Magpie and Silver the other day and what he did was cut the tinsel at an angle then tie it in ....dunno if this would help ..Have a look at the video.

YouTube - Tying a Clyde Style Fly Magpie & Silver with Davie McPhail

YouTube - Tying a Clyde Style Fly Magpie & Silver with Davie McPhail

The problem he points out is the tinsel cutting the thread .

BTW ..can I ask where you sourced your Lagartun Metal Tinsel as I am having trouble getting it .?

[smee]

Thanks for the info Stuart_B.

I am using the fine version of the tinsel as a rib and I have tried cutting it to a point but this seems to make things worse and it just breaks even easier. I think it might just be the case that this tinsel is no good as a rib. I might try a different brand of metal tinsel again and see if that helps. Very frustrating this. I have been tying flies for years and there's a simple and obvious solution that is evading me!! Aaarggh!!!

As for my source of the tinsel, I bought the full range of Lagartun Metal Tinsels a few years ago from Lakeland.

Cheers

Smee

[Stuart_B]

Originally Posted by smee

Thanks for the info Stuart_B.

I am using the fine version of the tinsel as a rib and I have tried cutting it to a point but this seems to make things worse and it just breaks even easier. I think it might just be the case that this tinsel is no good as a rib. I might try a different brand of metal tinsel again and see if that helps. Very frustrating this. I have been tying flies for years and there's a simple and obvious solution that is evading me!! Aaarggh!!!

As for my source of the tinsel, I bought the full range of Lagartun Metal Tinsels a few years ago from Lakeland.

Cheers

Smee

Thx Smee....looks like others have a similar problem
Tinsel wrapping? - Spey Pages

[arkle]

I'm not a fan of Lagartun's fine flat/embossed for the same reason, if you can put up with a slightly duller finish then go for Veniard's, Sparton's metal's &/or some of the old Gordon Griffith's metal stuff. Problem solved. They are/were ALL made in France, just different factories & a slightly thicker gauge.

[smee]

So glad that I am not alone! Thanks for that Arkle. Veniards or GG's was the stuff I used to use but stopped because it tarnished so quickly. Have they changed any or are Mr Parton's any better?

[arkle]

Steve Parton is a member of this forum & posts here most days, I would think he's probably better qualified to say so than me. I've only ever used his oval tinsels & they seem fine, or at least as good as most others.

Personally I think Lag's tinsel is grossly over-priced for what it is, when you consider the re-spooler's buy it on bulk spools of maybe a kilo or more & then wind it onto tiny spools & then they really wind the price up as well. Fair enough they've a good (on the whole !) product, & they've all the same areas to cover to make a profit, but surely it doesn't cost that much more in bulk than other similar products.

Tinsel these days comes from all over the world & prices for these spools that we buy are very disproportionately priced considering its prices in other areas i.e. the craft trade. A local embroidery stockist to me, sells an Indian oval tinsel that's at least as good as any tying product, but she sells it in loose hanks that are large enough to fill maybe 100's of tying spools. The craft trade often makes 100% minimum mark up on their stock. So what the tying trade does defies belief. Fair enough, she only sells it in 1 size but she does gold, silver & copper. The last time I bought some of this product (2/3 years ago) it was around £2. a hank.

[smee]

I agree with the overpricing thing and have bought various fritz, coloured ovals etc from craft shops in the past and noticed the huge difference in price and quantity. To be fair though, I have bought some of Steve Parton's tying thread and fluo floss and the quantities reflect the price much better and the quality is on a par if not better than some brand names.

I have been doing some web searches for fine flat metal tinsel but am currently drawing a blank. Any suggestions or trade members able to help?