Bead Chat

Re: Fireline

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 06:18:28 GMT

Yep, I use Spiderwire monofilament as well (says supermono on the spool), and I haven't had any problems so far with finished projects breaking. I've been using it for about 4 years now. The 6lb test has broken a couple of times as I've been weaving when it gets too much of a kink in it, or where it goes through the eye of the needle where it takes the most abuse, but that hasn't affected the actual project- just means I start a new thread.

Re: Fireline

Billy Z — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:18:20 GMT

My Dad was an avid fisherman and he used Spiderwire fishing line and it would always last at least one full season(and usually 2 or 3) in the sun, salt, sand, water, and reel abraision. I would think that with reasonable care, it would last just as long as the name brands. It is expensive too, but not to the Fireline point. Not yet anyway. However, Spiderwire is a fused monofil line and contains no metal at all. I think that Fireline has some metallic properties. I have a spool of the smoked color and it disappears in all but the lightest of colors. The color does NOT come off on your hands either.

Billy ;o)

Re: Fireline

Inca — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:38:07 GMT

Yeah we have Biltema ... not the easiest store to get too ... but ill try on tuesday (maybe)
and i guess more then 2 months ...
and i know what you mean ... i used to make those dolls with dresses made of net-weave beading .. and when i got one back cause it broke and later found out it was cause they had let a 5 year old play with it ... i kinda gave up ... cause the thread i could get was not that "durable" .... so i only made small ornaments and stuff for myself basically

Re: Fireline

troll — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:12:56 GMT

Inca:

I would also taken any line ... if they had anything else I could try ...
But at the moment it seems like my town is against me doing crafts.
And the FireLine was very expensive here too.

The Dyneema fishing line can be bought from Biltema, it cost's 99,90 NOK for 200 meters. They seem to have a webstore in Norway too, so you don't have to find a store :) In Finland they had more choices in strenght and length, but they have some 0.21 mm in Norway, which should to at least 11/0's.

Inca:

My previous beading - about 10 years ago I found thread got fringed and broke easier than fishline .... thats why I want to "retry" that fishline thing.
And so if it goes bad in a few years ... remake it into something new ... things are usually not "in" that long

That was my thought too - will it take two moths or five years? Breaking down is not a problem, when I make something for myself, but if I sell something, it does make me a bit nervous...

- Kirsi

Re: Fireline

Inca — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:49:55 GMT

troll:

OK, I'm a bad, bad beader... I use a monofilament regular fishing line, when I need the thread not to show at all, or when the "memory" or the stiffness of the monofilament is a good property... Because I just can't afford FireLine or any other fused or braded line at the moment. In Finland FireLine is just as expensive in the sporting goods section as in the beading stores

I would also taken any line ... if they had anything else I could try ...
But at the momnt it seems like my town is against me doing crafts.
And the FireLine was very expensive here too.

troll:

What I'd like to know, is how fast does the regular fishing line disintagrate? Is there anyone here, who actually has some experience about this?

My previous beading - about 10 years ago I found thread got fringed and broke easier than fishline .... thats why I want to "retry" that fishline thing.
And so if it goes bad in a few years ... remake it into something new ... things are usually not "in" that long

Re: Fireline

troll — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:10:24 GMT

OK, I'm a bad, bad beader... I use a monofilament regular fishing line, when I need the thread not to show at all, or when the "memory" or the stiffness of the monofilament is a good property... Because I just can't afford FireLine or any other fused or braded line at the moment. In Finland FireLine is just as expensive in the sporting goods section as in the beading stores

What I'd like to know, is how fast does the regular fishing line disintagrate? Is there anyone here, who actually has some experience about this?

Also, does anyone have any experience of braided Dyneema fishing line? I found it for a significantly lower price, and the fishermen seem to think it's an ok product (I found it in a fishing forum ). My birthday's coming up, and I thought I could wish some of that for a present. It only comes in dark green, though, but it's really thin.

- Kirsi

Re: Fireline

Leslie — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:02:16 GMT

You FireLine users all should check out WildFire beading thread by Beadalon. I was a dyed in the wool FireLine fan until I started using the new WildFire thread. It is EVERY BIT as good as FL, and these folks are part of our beading and jewelry making family, unlike the Berkley fishin' people. On the plus side: the black DOES NOT COME OFF ON YOUR FINGERS, and the black is always black, not shades of gray like the FL "Smoke" colored line. The WildFire shade of green is very neutral, not flame green like FL.

It is no easier to cut, but it sure is just as strong. I say, if you use FL, you should try it.

LR, editor Step by Step Beads

Re: Fireline

Inca — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:02:41 GMT

I got so happy today cause I saw that the sports store had this Fireline your talking about .... but the "happy" passed soon when I got told "It only comes in Fresh Lime color" .... just what no noe needs GREEN line for beads ... no leave that to the fishers

Re: Fireline

jac nee — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:24:09 GMT

Sue,

Thank you so much for your help. Really appreciate it.

Re: Fireline

Sue B — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:50:39 GMT

Jac nee,

try firemountain.com I believe they sell it. also try e-bay.com go to title "sporting good" then type in "fireline in the search box" you may find some there. I have found that it is cheaper buying it from a sporting goods store than a beading store. Once they put "Beadsmith" on it it becomes more expensive for some reason. It is the same stuff that you use to fish so buy where you can find it cheaper.

Hope this helps you.

Re: Fireline

jac nee — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:07:42 GMT

Hi...I have just taken up beading. I came across the use of fireline in Beads and Buttons magazine. Could you tell me where I can get them? I am in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Thanks.

Re: Fireline

Radiance — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:30:44 GMT

Just want to affirm that beeswax is great on Fireline! NATURAL beeswax, that is -- not the white synthetic stuff in most sewing stores. But if you're using reasonable lengths, Fireline doesn't really need conditioning at all! I just condition it because I tend to use six or eight feet of thread at a time... =D

Re: Fireline

LORI S — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:20:42 GMT

I will have to check out Walmart - I use Fireline almost exclusively for anything other than plain stringing - I think I've worked through about 5 125 yd spools since I discovered it a few years ago!

Recently I was working on some really dainty earrings (from a pattern in the October issue of Beadwork) so I got out my Nymo (size D), because I was using delicas, 15's and 2 and 3 mm stone beads with multiple passes. Using the Nymo again for the first time in years, I really appreciate the Fireline - I don't need to pre-strech it, or use any beewax or other conditioner. I don't have to worry about splitting the thread (taking out a mistake in my right-angle-weave project finally involved the scissors!) and I can pull just as tight as I need to without it breaking.

I use mostly 6 # test, I also have 8# for any projects with heavy beads (like hematite) or seeds larger than 11.

In this recent project I also tried a 4 # test weight (brand name Stren, comes in a foresty green), but discovered it wouldn't go thru the size 13 needles very well.

Lori in NH

Re: Fireline

Billy Z — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:40:57 GMT

I've had a bit of a problem with #13 beading needles and Spiderwire. It looks just like Fireline to me, save the color. I did have to pinch the end, but not with my teeth. *laughz* I just took my chain nose pliers and flattened the end and it went right in. It was a little snug pulling it through the eye to make the tail, but not snug enough to damage the line or the needle. I found some 4" big-eyed needles at Moore's and that is all that I have used since. There is absolutely NO problem threading them.

Billy ;o)

Re: Fireline

CrystalCubeBead. — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:01:53 GMT

Sue B:

I have no problem with threading the needle.

I use both a 4" and a 2-1/2" Big Eye needle for all my beading, even with stretch line. I just finished a short tubular brickistitch using the 4" one. I like its flexibility.

Stan B