Float making raw materials

The place you will find all those traditional terminal tackle items.
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Olly
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Re: Float making raw materials

Post by Olly »

You could always buy single strand pike wire - a wrap around a thin needle = small diameter eye! Thick knitting needle = larger diameter eye!

I use Allcocks Alasticum in 14 - 20+ pound strengths.

Or buy them online!

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OldAngler
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Re: Float making raw materials

Post by OldAngler »

For eyes at the bottom of floats I use copper wire stripped from plastic covered electrical wire. I do not know the gauge of the wire but it bends easily and does not rust. Just cut off the required length and then wind it round a small nail nailed into a piece of wood to form the loop.

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Nobby
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Re: Float making raw materials

Post by Nobby »

One of the hardest things when making your own floats is getting the hole for the tip section central and true, so before I had lathes I cheated and bought bodies in from Keith Wilkes:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/keithsfishingtackle

He even does plastic line eye end bits to glue in, though they are too small and need thickening out with some whipping..dab of superglue and the job's a good 'un.

BBQ skewer for the tip section, preferably tapered, a bit of paint.....and it's a float!

These were done with Keith's bodies:
Image

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Reedling
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Re: Float making raw materials

Post by Reedling »

Thanks for the link, that will help me a lot. :Hat:

Paul D

Re: Float making raw materials

Post by Paul D »

I must admit I make my own body's and drill them out by hand....takes practice
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OldAngler
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Re: Float making raw materials

Post by OldAngler »

I use copper wire cut from electrical wire, with the plastic covering stripped off.

It is easy to use, easy to bend to form the eyes, (round a small nail knocked into a piece of wood), and does not rust.

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Nobby
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Re: Float making raw materials

Post by Nobby »

Oh, the copper decorative wire on the above floats is stripped telephone cable btw.

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WoodMagnet
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Re: Float making raw materials

Post by WoodMagnet »

Cut the eye end from small safety pins. :Wink:
A.K.A. Kevin.
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Nobby
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Re: Float making raw materials

Post by Nobby »

Keith sells end eyes, but you really want a malleable stainless steel if you want to make your own. Short lengths of 'lock-wire', used for aircraft and racing vehicles are on eBay. Just twist a bit around a drill bit of the right I/D and cut the two tails.....

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Rod
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Re: Float making raw materials

Post by Rod »

Binbag, I have a lot of dark coloured silk, (ie dark green, blue, brown) which if you don't seal it, comes out almost black, if you want a few reels, just PM me with where to send it, and I will get it in the post to you.
Rod :Hat:
An old man, who's only pleasure left in life, is sitting by some water, fiddling with his maggots?

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