Fly Line Welding Videos
Whether we're putting loops on a fly line, repairing a damaged line, or making up our own lines, welding is the way to go. It just requires a low power heat gun, a nozzle on the front of it to concentrate the air flow, some clear heat shrink tubing and some sharply pointed scissors.
I'm often questioned by anglers concerned that a welded loop won't be strong. A well made loop is actually stronger than the rest of the line. The only risk comes when we overheat a weld. Even an under heated weld will hold reasonably well.
Airflo fly lines are made out of polyurethane (PU) which welds extremely well. Airflo also make fly lines for other fly fishing companies that don't have their own line making divisions. The lines of other fly line companies are made out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and the welding qualities of these lines vary from one company to another. PVC lines need plasticizers to help them remain supply. Some very supply lines have their plasticizers cooked off by the welding heat and become brittle. This is also a problem for old PVC lines that have had their plasticizers leech out over time. For this reason, if possible, I would recommend starting one's first welding project with a Airflo made line.
Whether we're putting loops on a fly line, repairing a damaged line, or making up our own lines, welding is the way to go. It just requires a low power heat gun, a nozzle on the front of it to concentrate the air flow, some clear heat shrink tubing and some sharply pointed scissors.
I'm often questioned by anglers concerned that a welded loop won't be strong. A well made loop is actually stronger than the rest of the line. The only risk comes when we overheat a weld. Even an under heated weld will hold reasonably well.
Airflo fly lines are made out of polyurethane (PU) which welds extremely well. Airflo also make fly lines for other fly fishing companies that don't have their own line making divisions. The lines of other fly line companies are made out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and the welding qualities of these lines vary from one company to another. PVC lines need plasticizers to help them remain supply. Some very supply lines have their plasticizers cooked off by the welding heat and become brittle. This is also a problem for old PVC lines that have had their plasticizers leech out over time. For this reason, if possible, I would recommend starting one's first welding project with a Airflo made line.
How to weld a loop onto the tip of a fly line.
How to weld a loop on the butt end of a shooting head
How to join two lengths of running line together
How to join T material like T14 to a section of fly line
How to weld a loop onto the end of T material, such as T14
How to use the T material videos to create a set of Skagit tips
Damaged a fly line? Here's how to repair it
Damaged a running line? Here's how to repair it
If you have ever wondered how to turn your favourite shooting head into a full line, well here's two ways to do it.
Sometimes we damage a fly line bad enough that some of the coating is lost. Here's how to repair it.