Adhesive for metal finger picks

Subject: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: GUEST,Roger Knowles
Date: 03 May 19 - 10:26 AM

When playing auto harp I find my index finger pick sometimes comes loose. Has anyone out there got a strong adhesive, or suggestion how I stop the pick from coming loose?
I'd be really pleased for suggestions.

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 03 May 19 - 10:33 AM

Body builders use adhesive products to counteract sweat and grease on the palms of hands
to aid grip of weights, and avoid slipping out of hands...

These are available to buy in sports shops.

Maybe something like that...???

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: Nick
Date: 03 May 19 - 10:38 AM

I don't play autoharp but know people who do.

Are they the same metal finger picks like I (very occasionally) play guitar with that are a bit Freddy Krugerish?

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 03 May 19 - 10:47 AM

I googled out of curiosity..
Small bottles of liquid chalk seem to be a favourite grip aid these days..
The stuff I tried 15 years ago was more like a sticky gel...

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: Jack Campin
Date: 03 May 19 - 10:56 AM

For the washboard I put micropore tape inside the thimbles to stop them flying off. It's a bit tricky getting it in there, I put small pieces in with tweezers.

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: GUEST,Mark
Date: 03 May 19 - 11:10 AM

http://www.gorillasnotusa.com/ perhaps?

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: GUEST,Roger Knowles
Date: 03 May 19 - 11:20 AM

Hey Folks
Thanks for the suggestions so far, I'll try them all.
Nick, these as far as I know are just standard metal picks.

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 03 May 19 - 12:33 PM

I have the same problem with banjo and guitar finger picks, usually when the environment and hands are hot. Some score the insides of the picks with a sharp blade to provide a bit more friction, but I think it only makes a marginal difference.

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 03 May 19 - 03:51 PM

As far as picks are concerned, I favour Sharkfin picks, and they have a sort of matt finish, which I find easier to control if I dampen my fingers a little.

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: Jack Campin
Date: 03 May 19 - 04:45 PM

Over the years washboard thimbles go rusty inside and you don't need the micropore any more. Not much help with aluminium or plastic ones though.

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: Nick
Date: 03 May 19 - 09:20 PM

Roger - i play with them rarely but if I have to don't you just squeeze them tighter round your finger?

I fingerpick so it might be different than an autoharp which is more a strumming thing (?)

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 04 May 19 - 01:19 AM

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51tt5haOSlL._SX425_.jpg There's yer answer.

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 04 May 19 - 03:03 AM

I use metal Propik Fingertone picks all the time, no problems at all, they stay on my fingers fine. The secret is to to use the kind with the 'split-wrap' bands (on the right in the photo in the link below), and to get the band adjusted properly to the size and shape of your fingers - I use a pair of fine-nosed pliers.

And always put the same picks on each finger! I mark them with dots of coloured nail-polish - one dot or two for the first and second fingers.

Propik Fingertone Fingerpicks

The usual disclaimers apply...IMHO, YMMV, yadda yadda.

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 05 May 19 - 12:41 PM

You’re welcome...

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 05 May 19 - 01:33 PM

I used to work in an office with a woman who spent much of her time at her desk
applying strips of toilet paper with superglue to her fingernails;
constructing her own extended false nails...
Then later after they'd set hard,
finishing the job off with nail file and varnish...

She had a lot of time on her hands... [thank you Basil Brush]...

True story, she was the only one in the company who knew how to operate
the prestigious new fangled desk top computer...
Though at that time there wasn't much call for it,
or any idea of it's potential;
so she had to sit around waiting for any work to do...

lovely nails though...

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: leeneia
Date: 05 May 19 - 09:02 PM

Hi, Roger. Is your index finger slim? Try making it fatter by wrapping it with something safe such as moleskin, a band-aid (plaster) or masking tape. Then put the fingerpick on.

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 May 19 - 04:18 AM

Eating, or just peeling, oranges makes your hands sticky. Spanish swordsmen used that trick to grip their swords better. Maybe a derevation of that? Rub your finger tips with a peeled orange or some such.

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: GUEST
Date: 06 May 19 - 09:45 AM

I use medical micropore tape around the outside of my plastic finger picks to hold them in place when playing guitar. I play hard & it works fine.

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 06 May 19 - 07:34 PM

Thete was an autoharp player at yesterday's session: looked like he was using Micropore tape too.

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: CupOfTea
Date: 06 May 19 - 11:32 PM

If the pics are heavy gague, and well fitted, nothing more than putting them on snugly works for my autoharp playing (30+ years). The light, easy to bend ones were not inclined to stay put.
It takes some time, and the use of needle-nosed pliers, to get them adjusted to get the right angle/shape for a snug fit. Now, they are so well worn that they obviously only fit on one specific finger. My current set for my best 'harp have outlasted 3 plastic thumb picks that wear down; dont like a metal thumb pick. This set has lasted for at least 7 years. I'm still breaking in a set for my second harp.
I have occasionally tucked scraps of small post-its inside them when I've got a sore hangnail/ cuticle, to protect the skin some.
Good luck getting the picks to work for you.

Joanne in Cleveland

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: GUEST,nickp (cookieless)
Date: 07 May 19 - 05:37 AM

As mentioned above, Gorilla Snot. Not cheap considering the size of the pot but it goes a long way

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: GUEST
Date: 07 May 19 - 06:48 AM

A little powdered violin rosin works well to improve grip on flat picks. Probably help with fingerpicks too.

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: saulgoldie
Date: 07 May 19 - 12:39 PM

Bill D constructed his own (from some old auto part, IIRC). He modified it so that it fits perfectly, and also allows him to "swipe left, and swipe right" with equal facility.

Other'n that, have you thought about getting the pick heli-arc welded on to your finger? Or, maybe there are picks made of carbon fiber that have better sticking/playing properties? I know there are carbon fiber guitars. So maybe...??


Saul

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 07 May 19 - 03:02 PM

This guy don't seem to have problems holding onto his picks...

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/04/14/16/3F3FE62500000578-4412356-image-a-139_1492185450714.jpg

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: GUEST,Roger Knowles
Date: 07 May 19 - 04:50 PM

Hey Folks,
I've ordered both new finger picks and Gorilla Snot and now await delivery. Lots of thanks to all of you for the advice and suggestions, I think I can now close this thread.
Thanks once again
Roger

Subject: RE: Adhesive for metal finger picks
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 10 May 19 - 10:53 AM

I've never thought of using anything on my washboard thimbles. I have got them sized to the appropriate finger with some spares in case I get carried away and start flinging them into the audience (what audience?).
RtS