Wire Tying Frustrations!

[birdley123]

I need some pointers please! I'm just starting wire tying jigs and am having a heck of a time getting the skirts not to roll while wrapping the wire. What am I doing wrong? Jig is in vise, Skirt is laid over jig, etc. When I go to wrap the wire, the skirt wants to roll with the wire and then the whole thing tries to get wrapped up in itself!! AAARRRGGGHHH!!! When they're done right, I love the finished product, but ...

Anybody?

[Richard Prager]

What I do is put the rubber collar in place and then arrange the skirt the way I like it. Then tie or wrap just above the collar. Then, just snip or roll and the collar off.

[Jig Man]

Try placing you skirtmaterial like you want it. Then wrap the wire twice around it. Leave the wire pointing it two different directions. Get two pairs of pliers and pull the wire tight. Twist 1/2 turn cut off the tag ends and you are done.

Edited October 20, 2011 by Jig Man

[chachybaby]

x2 on placing the rubber collar first then tying above it. For myself I find that much easier, you can concentrate on a better tie knowing the skirt isn't going to move around that much. Just a little more time consuming setting it up

[birdley123]

Thanks, I'll give that a try, what about leaving the tabs "uncut" til I'm done, THEN trimming?

[Jig Man]

Thanks, I'll give that a try, what about leaving the tabs "uncut" til I'm done, THEN trimming?

Absolutely.

[JSC]

Just one other little thing ... Rather than use the rubber collars I have found that using a "O" ring seal ... easier to take off

2 cents worth

[birdley123]

Thats a good idea about using rings instead of collars. Does anyone know of any good videos on the topic?

[birdley123]

OK, newest question; theres no right answer, should the jig go in the vise "hook up", or "hook down", meaning wrap skirt mat'l from backside of hook, or underside or inside of hook?

Thx

[Jig Man]

You will do a lot less bleeding if the hook point is down.

[birdley123]

good "point"...!

[EironBreaker]

Are you trying to do the center of the skirt tab or the fused end? You have to use a collar if you are using the loose tab center. I use the ends, cut the tab in half. I don't have material down the center of the jig, just the flare portion but you always put a trailer on there anyways. I use a fly tying bobbin and thread to set the skirt tabs how I want them. Do a couple of half hitches to lock the thread and trim off. Then wrap your wire around the finished product. Takes a bit to get the hang of it but really fast when you get it.

If you are using living rubber, you can attach it with thread like in the above picture and then wire it down. Much easier to handle tabs with thread then trying to just wire them in place. I don't know how it is done without thread quickly.

I put the eye of the hook in the vise and point down, working off the back of the jig. Easier to hold the skirt with the left hand over the head out of the way and wrap with the right hand. Opposite I guess if you are left handed. This works good if you have heads with the weed guard molded in already. I have one mold that has the eye buried so I have to hold the hook by the bend. I will only wire tie these before the guard is placed in the head. Good luck!

[macstackleman]

Jigman is soooooo right!!