Hi I am really new to beading and have been reading this message board for sometime now. It has tremendously helped a novice like me.
However there is one thing that I am still not sure about. Is there any difference between the PowerPro fishing line and the beading thread available in the bead stores? Is the only difference in packaging or are there any other subtle differences?
Thanks for helping me out on this one. Meeta.
vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from meeta snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com (Meeta) :
]However there is one thing that I am still not sure about. Is there ]any difference between the PowerPro fishing line and the beading ]thread available in the bead stores? Is the only difference in ]packaging or are there any other subtle differences?
From beadnotes:
However, I've been worrying a bit about rumblings I heard that these Spectra (or Dyneema, the generic name outside the US, AFAICT) fibers break down in sunlight. I spent a productive half hour this evening checking out the claims. The best sites were those that cater to fly fishermen, because casting strength is imperative in that situation.
Turns out that these lines do not degrade in sunlight or in salt water, that's how they're designed. The smoke gray color does fade, which is a bonus, in my book. It's pretty invisible in any case.
Also, the line does not cut itself, unlike Kevlar thread. I suspected this was the case because it would be pretty useless for fishing otherwise. It is designed not to stretch at all, which is my experience.
Interestingly, the fiber is made of recycled milk bottles, mostly, and is neither braided nor a monofilament. It's like a teeny weeny rope, woven around a solid core of the same material.
I feel much better now. I was quite concerned my stuff would fall apart in sunlight, and now I know that won't happen.
BTW, I buy my line from a fishing supply store. It's an order of magnitude cheaper than the "special" Power Pro being sold in bead stores. The bead store reels are only 28 yards, which is like, what? A day's worth of thread? I buy the 300 yard reels, which is a much cheaper. As a bonus, I get on every fishing catalog mailing list in existence. Woo-hoo, now I can find out how to "get the big ones!"
Somewhat dependant on "weight", but Fireline at KMart is $13/150 yds for the 10#; same for Spiderwire (both are braided lines); Spiderline Fusion (same fibers, not braided) is $7/150 yds. According to the package insert, the 24# test line has 120 strands of Spectra fibers, fused together; the Fusion is for those who prefer a limper line that knots easily; the braided lines are a bit thinner for a given test weight. Both are "near-zero stretch", even when wet (compared to up to
20% for monofilament).POWER PRO see STRINGING MATERIAL It's cheaper through fishing-stuff suppliers. (Check out Cabelas). Comes in several "weights". The only two colors in the fishing lines seem to be moss green & neon yellow.
It's made with a new, very tough polymer (Spectra); I think the PP version is braided. Hard to cut-- good when you have sharp edged beads. The same material is used in fishing lines made by other manufacturers, and may be cheaper than PP. Some of these come in other colors-- a soft gray for example. One brand had silicon coating. I've been using Spiderline "Fusion"-- strands of some polymer (not Spectra) that have been fused into one "line". The 24# test size is a bit large to thread in needles for 11/0 Czech seed beads, but most of the Japanese ones fit; I'm trying to find a smaller weight, but will probably have to order it from Cabelas ($5.39/150 yd spool in the catalog!). I've used it for all my "wooly worms" after the first one (made with waxed Nymo D) started shredding.
My "wooly worms" are mostly glass, plus some stone and Swarovski bi-cones. Also used some Bali silver beads & spacers (both as spacers & as flat flowers), and wonder beads (acrylic). None of them seem to shred the Spiderline, even with a very heavy focal bead tugging on the composition. Power Pro for beadwork was originally promoted as THE fiber to use with bugle beads and sharp crystal. The fishing line ads all stress how abrasion proof the lines are.
The fishing lines are listed by "weight" test-- a "10#" line should be able to pull in a 10# fish. These hi-tech lines usually have two "sizes" listed-their actual test, and comparison to the same size monfilament: for my Spiderline--"24#, 12# test diameter". Not sure what that is in mm; the 24# Spiderline can be threaded into a size 10 beading needle fairly easily, if cut at an angle; sometimes I can get it into a size 12 needle. I think the PP repackaged for beading list mm diameters.
I've tried the PowerPro, Spider Wire, Spider Line and Fireline. PowerPro - braided, difficult to thread into a size 15 needle. Larger sizes might take the place of Beadalon-type products. Spider Wire - flat, easy to thread. You can separate the strands for small needles. Spider Line Fusion - stiff, flat, easy to thread. Fireline - Stiff, flat, easy to thread. I bought these at Walmart - much cheaper than a fishing store.
SOFTFLEX This works great - be sure you get the .010 size - you can get SoftTouch in the same sizes as SoftFlex, but also in this one finer size. I sell quite a bit of liquid silver (simple one-strand necklaces
- teens love 'em) and I prefer the .010 size - although .014 works too.
those are just the ones i found quickly. there are probably other you could find by scrolling through the link.
----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)
While we're on this topic, are any of these types of line stiff enough to be a "self needle" the way Beadalon is?
Celine
vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from snipped-for-privacy@mindCHEMISEspring.com (Lee S. Billings) :
]While we're on this topic, are any of these types of line stiff enough to be a ]"self needle" the way Beadalon is?
i only use Fireline. and the heavier weights - yes. i seldom bother to thread a needle with anything over the 12lb. i don't think there's a needle eye big enough for the 30lb, which is probably the closest weight to the Beadalon.
the 4lb and 10lb are what i use when i'm going to be going through the strand more than once, or weaving - and i'd personally need a needle for those, anyway.
----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)
That's how I use mine, since I cannot get it through any of my beading needles. It's not *as* good for this as others, because it tends to fray at the ends. Since I am originally a seamstress, I have a habit of wetting the end of the thread with my mouth; I don't use spit, LOL, but I always wear chapstick, and that helps keep the threads together at the end. I imagine beeswax would work, too.
This is a necklace that I made using PowerPro with no needle:
vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Kyla" :
]
----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)
Thanks! It's really different from what I usually make; I mainly work with wire. But, I had these little baggies that I had been filling with like-colors of *spare* beads, orphans, etc. Came up with this so that I could use those up :o) I wore it out last weekend (also very odd, since this is WAY bigger and bolder than my usual style), and someone asked if they could buy it from me, for her sister. She was all excited, until I told her that the set was $40.....;o) I don't feel bad, though; I am still convinced it is worth that, and it felt good to get compliments on something that was[previously] out of my comfort zone, kwim? :o)
vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Kyla" :
]Thanks! It's really different from what I usually make; I mainly work with ]wire.
we definitely need to spend time together.
]someone asked if ]they could buy it from me, for her sister. She was all excited, until I ]told her that the set was $40.....;o) I don't feel bad, though; I am still ]convinced it is worth that, and it felt good to get compliments on something ]that was[previously] out of my comfort zone, kwim? :o)
$40 is seriously under-priced [IMO]. i'm glad you stuck to your guns, tho!
----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)
vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "roxan" :
]Thanks so much for your research on this.
i didn't do the research - it's from the beadnotes that Sooz compiles. there's probably even more there - i just picked up what i could find the fastest.
----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)
Another on the subject of PowerPro....I read that it is only available in green and yellow in bait stores, but mine is white (bought from a bead store). Is the color the only real difference between the bait & bead stores?
Aww, thanks!! :o)
vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Kyla" :
]Is the color the only real difference between the bait & bead ]stores?
bead stores tend to be *MUCH* more expensive.
----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)
Kyla -- honey, that is so pretty. What is that big-ass bead in the middle? Is it a crystal?
Becki "In between the moon and you, the angels have a better view of the crumbling difference between wrong and right." -- Counting Crows
That's *definitely* worth at least $40 -- more, if your findings aren't base-metal. What you ran into there was a bad case of "Wal-Mart syndrome", expecting to pay $15 because that's what they charge for mass-produced stuff with plastic beads.
Celine
On Wed, 7 Jan 2004 19:09:31 -0500, vj wrote (in message ):
I mainly use the 8 lb. PowerPro in white, and the 4 lb. Charcoal FireLine.
There appears to be no difference (except price) from Fishing Store line and Bead Store line. This is one place where you can save money without sacrificing quality.
Kathy N-V
vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from Kathy N-V :
]the 4 lb. Charcoal FireLine.
and thank you again for telling me about it - i'm totally in love with the stuff!!!!
----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)
Well, my LBS said it is Blue Quartz. I've never seen any other blue quartz, but I think this must be a dyed stone. It's so pretty; it has veins of royal blue all over in the very very very pale blue transparent stone :o) Not bad for a dollar ;o) LOL Only think I don't like about it is that it whacks my glasses and/or teeth every time I bend down! LOL
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