Making Dumbbell Eyes for Clouser Minnows Streamers

Making dumbbell eyes for fly tying streamers or clouser minnows is easy if you just think about how molds work. Taking a pair of flat nose pliers, using a 1/16" drill bit, 3/16" drill bit, you can make a mold for dumbbell eyes that can be used on streamers and other flies.
The first in a series of "What Am I Making Now"?

[@diecastrejuvenation7779]

This is genius! Thanks for the tutorial!

[@dcm6073]

Just making some Clouser Minnows and need some eyes. This couldn't have come at a better time. Thank You!

[@Nubenhoofer]

Awesome. I actually used a pair of long nose pliers recently to make my own ned head jig. I milled a little spot out for the hook eye just inside of the cutter portion of the pliers, and the backside of the cutter makes a perfectly domed ned head! Pouring lead is obviously the best way, but it can also be accomplished by pinching on a round ball sinker and heating with a torch, pretty much the same way you did these eyes.

[@ramoutdoors6415]

Dam, thats slicker than bulls snot man, great idea and well done! Thumbs up!

[@matsnaslund2940]

Top notch DIY! 👍

[@rickpayne2941]

I like this video. You always think outside of the box and come up with ways to help people with your informative information. I think I am going to make a dumbbell plier

[@kylemoppert3105]

Another innovative technique/video! Love this one. Thanks, Mike!

[@BobBohner4851]

Very interesting. Think I’ll make one too

[@SFCPuck]

I can see using this method to make custom sizes. Thanks.

[@FrugalFlyRodder]

Let us know how you do.

[@ericpierce4510]

I believe it was Skip that guessed right. Thank you for sharing, Mike. I will definitely be doing this one. Maybe different size bits for different weights?

[@FrugalFlyRodder]

Yep, I'm going to make more. I think there's enough room left on the one set of pliers to put two more on.

[@ericpierce4510]

@@FrugalFlyRodder Not sure about two more, but another one for sure.

[@gregfish2485]

Looks like you could drill another hole for a different size eye. Large and small. Maybe even a 3rd and get a med. But really cool. Going to watch some of your vids. Thanks!

[@FrugalFlyRodder]

Yeah, I mentioned that to another comment here. He said he didn't think I could get three. I can. Thanks for the comment and following.

[@wetieit]

Just remember you can't use lead in Yellowstone and several other National Parks, these would be illegal and could get you a big fat fine $. Very cool idea, it would take more research to get to a point where you would know the weight so you could size them better for your hook sizes, but an ingenious way of making home brewed lead eyes.

[@FrugalFlyRodder]

There's no lead in solder

[@hanklabonde6296]

Too cool. Thank you.

[@sallysanderson3627]

Awesome we are just running out of dumb bell eyes and can’t find what we were using. Articulated shanks are fun to make yourself. Love the DIY stuff! Thanks!!!!

[@watermelongrin]

I have been using WAPSI plastic eyes. Can this be used with plastic as well. Those looping pliers are used to make ear ring loops and come in three sizes. I have all three sizes. I make ear rings out of spinner bodies.

[@FrugalFlyRodder]

What is created is only limited to the imagination. Things I do are not presented as new, just a way, maybe not even a new way. Have fun in whatever you do, that's the only rule I go by.

[@czechnolike]

Hmm, I have a small rivet maker that could do a similar thing. Maybe I should try it

[@ronshute6260]

Great job in designing a method to make dumbbell eyes for the average guy!

[@FrugalFlyRodder]

Thank you Ron, I've got more coming. I've been working hard around my shop and the house the last few years, it's all about 90 plus % finished, so I'll have more time to produce video now. Thanks again!

[@edbeedle59]

What was the length of the piece of solder you used to make that dumbbell?

[@FrugalFlyRodder]

1.5"

[@edbeedle59]

@@FrugalFlyRodder Thank you sir.

[@donmoroz5502]

Very interesting. Mike, how long do you estimate it would take to make a dumbell eye without the instructural narrative? You're quite an inventive guy.

[@FrugalFlyRodder]

The eyes are still a work in progress. But to answer your question, it's a very slow process, about 3 minutes per eye. The printer can run unsupervised... so, 3 a minute yields only 20 per hour. If I let it run overnight for say 10 hours, I'd end up with 200 eyes. Not bad really, just not something anyone will make money at.

[@donmoroz5502]

Thanks, Mike. I really like your new version of your dubbing brush maker too on your other video

[@Grouse2275]

Would immersing them in ice water work? I really like this idea……

[@FrugalFlyRodder]

Just water would be good enough.

[@russellsherwood2315]

Do you sell these? If so where can I order a set? I don't have the tools to make this

[@FrugalFlyRodder]

I'm sorry at this time I don't.

[@kenmusil8076]

Very 😎

[@semihsemra8612]

👍👍👍💖💖🐠

[@jacopgame3068]

Are you by chance a gold Smith.

[@FrugalFlyRodder]

Nope

[@glennplatvoet7111]

But those are tin eyes soder is now tin not lead big weight different

[@FrugalFlyRodder]

LOL, pretty sure I didn't call them "lead" eyes. And it's solder, not soder. Let me help you out here. There are lead dumbbell eyes, there are tungsten dumbbell eyes, there's even bead chain dumbbell eyes... so, now you have another weight choice. Is there a problem with that?

[@glennplatvoet7111]

Nice eyes ezzzie you can use 2 pice

[@glennplatvoet7111]

Just bar and make 5 or so at a time