The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

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!

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.

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:

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

I must admit I make my own body's and drill them out by hand....takes practice

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.

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

Cut the eye end from small safety pins.

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.....

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