barbell, dumbell, or Clouser style mold for fly tying.

[SaltyQuill]

Do you make a mold for Clouser Style lead eyes for fly tying. If not can I make my own mold?

[pieterbez]

2nd that request

[ctom]

Welcome to the Do-It forums Salty. I haven't seen a mold for any of those eyes yet. At least not here at Do-It. I'm not sure if Hilts has anything but you could do a search there to see if they make such a mold.

[SaltyQuill]

Welcome to the Do-It forums Salty. I haven't seen a mold for any of those eyes yet. At least not here at Do-It. I'm not sure if Hilts has anything but you could do a search there to see if they make such a mold.

Have not been able to find this mold. I would think that the number of flies that have barbells there would be one available. What would it cost to have say 10 of them made? I think there is a market for them.

[Kasilofchrisn]

Have not been able to find this mold. I would think that the number of flies that have barbells there would be one available. What would it cost to have say 10 of them made? I think there is a market for them.

You'd have to ask a custom mold maker.
Do-It does not make custom molds.
And with their sand cast process they're just not going to make only 10 molds.
A custom mold isn't cheap but you'll get a quality mold exactly how you want it.
Depending on exactly what you want I'd expect such a mold to cost roughly between $150-$225 all in.
If you need the names of some recommended mold makers send me a PM.


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[Kasilofchrisn]

Welcome to the Do-It forums Salty. I haven't seen a mold for any of those eyes yet. At least not here at Do-It. I'm not sure if Hilts has anything but you could do a search there to see if they make such a mold.

Neither Hilts or Lil' Mac make such a mold.
I've checked out every mold they make online and have not seen one.

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[Fishermanbt]

If you’re not going to be doing large amounts why not make your own mold out of silicone, rtv, or resin?

[WALLEYE WACKER]

I’ve looked high and low and haven’t seen a mold it would be a nice addition for DO-IT and make fly tiers dream. In a couple sizes.

[Fatman]

Asked this same question years ago.  Make a silicone or try to find an old Hilts Replica mold. 

[bigjim5589]

I tie a lot of flies with barbell eyes, but frankly have been getting away from lead eyes because they break. If a mold was made, I would like to see something with a wire insert for reinforcing the cross bar, that would be a much better design IMO if it can be done. I know that would make the eyes more costly, but I'll take that over spending time tying, to have the barbell break and the eyes fall off. I epoxy over a lot of the eyes on flies and they still break & fall off. It's frustrating.

I'm using brass eyes more now, and they're not cheap to buy, so there should be a trade-off to the cost.

I've considered having a mold made, but can't get past this breakage problem and am not sure the best way to fix it.

[SaltyQuill]

Thats interesting about breakage of lead barbell eyes. I have used them for years in fishing freshwater and salt water flies. I hav never had one break or heard of one breaking. I use brass also but at times like the heavier lead eyes.

[WALLEYE WACKER]

I’ve never had a lead break . I’ve had them loosen but that a easy fix.

[bigjim5589]

I've used lead barbells from various sources and have had some breakage with all of them. I can't say it's all sizes, but some seem to break more than others.