Project Dragonfly - Building Better Wings

In this fly tying tutorial I cover how I build wings for tying dragonflies.
These wings are amazingly sturdy, and are the closest thing I've found to a realistic imitation that can survive a strike or 5 without looking terribly damaged.
This tutorial covers the construction of a pair of wing burners. This is not a quick project and you will need some (very basic) woodworking tools to complete it. Please be safe.
These wing burners were initially made to be "temporary" until I made a pair from brass shim stock but have proven to be quite hearty.
When it cools down here I'll likely do a separate tutorial on making a set from brass, but the popsicle stick versions have held up amazingly well and will last for many dozens of flies if you're careful.
As I mention in the video, you can make only one shape, but I find having both gives me the option of constructing three very different looking dragonflies.
SIZING NOTE:
The wing burners I make in this video produce wings that are approximately 1.75" long. These are well suited to flies in the size 4-8 range. They are a bit small for size 4 dragonflies, but if you size the abdomen to match the wings, they look just fine. I typically tie these on a size 6 hook.
In the next Project Dragonfly video I'll cover a couple of ways to make legs for dragonflies.
If you found this helpful, like and subscribe to my channel to follow along on Project Dragonfly.
Project Dragonfly - Building a Better Dragonfly Tail
• Project Dragonfly - Bu...
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Used in this video:
- Popsicle Sticks 1/2" X 6.5"
- Sharpie Marker, Black
- DEWALT Trigger Clamp, small
- Harris Electrician's Scissors
- Dremel Sanding Drum
- Dremel Rotary Tool
- Nail file
- Cling wrap (such as Saran Wrap)
- Dr. Slick 3" Arrow Scissors
- Bic Lighter

[@wingnutbert9685]

Thanks Joe! That's a nifty way of doing wings! Are they durable enough for around lilly pads and reeds? Ever tried 4 layers?
Just thinking out loud: Maybe make the "handle" end of the wood jig longer and CA or wood glue it at the end, rather than an elastic. Would keep the two halves lined up and the extra length would let you open the pattern end pretty wide without stressing the glue too much. Just a thought.
Look forward to the next vid!
Bert

[@JoeTies]

Hey Bert!
Yes I've done 4 layers, I've done these a bunch of different ways, this is just kinda the baseline.
You could also leave the material outside the wing burners a bit longer which will make them considerably tougher, I just prefer the look of a small edge.
I've snagged these in reeds and on downed trees. They're surprisingly tough depending on the cling wrap you use. You can rip them up pretty good before they're done for.
I'll likely do a couple of variant videos once I've got the baseline videos done, there's so many ways you can tie these dragonflies.
Good idea with the glue, I also had someone suggest epoxying the popsicle sticks to the inside of cheap tweezers as well, which I may go ahead and do down the line, but as I mentioned in the video these were intended to be temporary.
I am going to make a set from brass shim stock once it cools down here a bit (110F here right now), but I gotta say these have held up quite well (I just like to make things that are intended to last).
Thanks for the comment, I appreciate the feedback!
- Joe