Thread Control: When working with foam, the proper use of thread tension is essential. The thread will not break as easy when applying the tension necessary to do this. A heavier thread will allow you to compress the foam easier and with fewer thread wraps. The heavier thread has other benefits besides not cutting through the foam. In many cases, you can get away with heavier thread. Fortunately, when tying warm water flies, we are not as concerned about bulky thread build up like we are when tying trout flies. If you don’t have a thread that will flatten you can reduce this risk by using heavier thread.
Fine corded threads can cut through thin foam like a hot knife through butter. By untwisting the thread, you flatten it increasing its surface area and reducing the potential for the thread to slice through the foam. I prefer a thread that can be flattened like UTC or Danville and tend to stay away from a corded thread like Uni. Thread: All thread is not created equal when working with foam. You are not likely to be mass-producing foam bodies like me, so any old sheet of foam will get the job done in most cases! Tips for Fly Tying With Foamīefore I get into some of my favorite foam flies for warm water, I’d like to mention a few things that make your fly tying go a little smoother when working with this great material. Over time I have learned to pick out foam sheets that suit my needs as a fly tier.
If you look through the stacks of foam in your local craft store, you will see the differences for yourself. I am not sure if this is a result of the dying or manufacturing process. Some foam sheets (denser ones) cut better than others, and sometimes one particular color performed better than others. I did not pay much attention to the differences until I started mass producing bodies for my Triangle Bug pattern. In addition, the only way we can keep these places around is to spend a little money in them from time to time! However, if you spend some time looking around, you can also find these products locally without the fly shop prices.Īll foam sheets are not created equal, but most will work just fine for your fly tying needs. One benefit of patronizing your local fly shops is you can also find foam of varying thickness from 1mm sheets of Razor Foam to big blocks used for popper bodies. That being said, craft store foam will work just fine for your fly tying needs. We can also cut the tool control foam sheets to your drawer size at no charge, this reduces shipping expense and makes doing it yourself easier.Is there a difference between the foam you see marketed as “fly foam” in your local fly shop and the stuff you find in the isles of your local craft store or Walmart? In some cases, yes, but that does not justify the exorbitant prices! The foam I have picked up in fly shops over the years seems to be denser and a little more durable than most of the stuff found in craft stores. Once your cut outs are complete use a heat gun or spray adhesive to laminate the top ½” layer to the bottom ¼” layer. Use the utility knife, hot knife, or a hand router to cut the traced tools out.
We recommend tracing the tools in the locations within the drawer.Ī simple guideline is maintaining ½” between each tool and the edge of the drawer. The first step is cutting the foam to the size of your drawer, to do this we recommend using a straight edge or carpenter square and a utility or hot knife. These instructions make the process simple, in just a few quick steps you will have the tool control kit you need completed.
Foam sheets how to#
If you choose to do it yourself, we can guide you in the process with free instructions on how to achieve the best results for your tool control or lean manufacturing needs. If you would like a sample or our tool box foam rolls, tool control foam sheets, polyethylene foam rolls or industrial foam sheets please contact us, we have sample packages available for immediate shipment.īlue, black, red and yellow are available in 1/4” and 1/2” thickness in 4” x 9” sheets as well as 100′ or 200’ rolls. It is resistant to chemicals and solvents. Our tool foam sheets are 6lb PE closed-cell foam that meets Federal Spec A-A-59135/59136(PPP-C-1752D). We stock our premium quality mil spec tool control foam sheets and offer industry leading turnaround times.