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I have been kicking around the idea of making wooden crankbaits myself for some time now, but I don't know really where to start.
My main questions are where to get the materials, (wood, paint, epoxy), what kind of materials do I use, and what do I do it I want to add a diving lip to my bait?
Any suggestions guys?
Try jannsnetcraft or do-it-molds. They have all types of lure making materials including crank baits. Both of these sites will send you a free catalog. Hope this helps...
[URL]http://www.do-itmolds.com/[/URL]
[URL]http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/[/URL]
go on you tube, type in lure making, that will give you a idea of how you need to start, and try jansnetcraft.com to check out their lure making materials, been thinking about trying to make swimbaits myself, hope it helps, let us know how you do
Gary
There is a website called Tackle Underground that is exclusively dedicated to lure building. Google it and it should come up. I had the same urge a couple years ago and found everything I needed there and more. Now I just wish I had the time.
I really want to build wooden swimbaits and a replica of the heddon pumpkinseed. From what I can see, cedar seems to be the wood of choice.
If you mean swimbaits like the multi-jointed versions, they are not real easy to make. Cranks are a little easier, but there is a learning curve. Easier to start out with something like a popper. Cedar and white pine are decent woods to start with. I do cranks by drawing the pattern on the wood, rough cutting that pattern on a bandsaw, then cleaning it up on the beltsander. Cut the lip slot while still square. After that I mark weight and screw eye holes and draw a line around the bait dead center. I use that to help guide the final shaping. For final shaping I knock the edges off with the beltsander and then hand sand the rest to shape. Seal the wood, add screw eyes using some epoxy on the screws. I'll then put the lip in, but not glued, and test float to determine the amount of lead needed to float the bait right. Finally, prime, paint, coat with epoxy for a clear coat, and then add lip and hooks. Thats the basics.
Andrew
Making lures from scratch can be aggrivating (or at least for me really because I don"t have all the right stuff) I have never done any jointed plugs. Hand carving the hardest part is getting them balanced so they will run right. There are some places that you can buy wood blanks online some places are fairly cheep I suppose you can cut and joint them just be sure to re-seal the cut part if you do. If the blanks are not sealed they will last longer if you do, and then prime and paint. It is fairly easy to sand a pre-fab blank to change the action without throwing it off balance. You can add weight by drilling a hole and adding lead be sure to cover it with Devcon 2 ton epoxy ( or something) They have some blanks with bill slots cut, and some without. Of course if you get the precut slot you are stuck with the dive angle and have to pretty much use a different style of bill to get what you want. My first attempt was from scratch and I about gave up so you might want to start with the prefabs. Here are some web sites that have componets different style lips ect. You can paint with a cheap air brush, do foil finish like some of the rapalas have. Be sure to use a good clear. There is nothing like catching one on something you created yourself.
lurepartsonline.com
jannsnetcraft
lurecraft.com
mudhole.com
And as someone mentioned tackle underground has a wealth of information, as well as some members on here im sure.
Almost forgot you can get a pretty good airbrush at harbor freight. And if you want to add rattles drill a hole just like you would to add weight use some sort of rattle pod like the ones that they put on some jigs that is sealed then epoxy back over and sand flush. Where ever you put the rattle or weight try to make it in the center line of the lure so it wont throw off balance, and a small weight goes a long way. And you can use fishnet stockings of some sort of netting material that will give a scale pattern to your bait when you paint it.
And dont forget a dremel tool.You can make a mold out of plaster of paris, take the hooks off first.Easiest wo0od is balsa, easiest baitto make one with the lip made similar to the hell bender type.
[QUOTE=Rudypoo4444;435429]I have been kicking around the idea of making wooden crankbaits myself for some time now, but I don't know really where to start.
My main questions are where to get the materials, (wood, paint, epoxy), what kind of materials do I use, and what do I do it I want to add a diving lip to my bait?
Any suggestions guys?[/QUOTE]
Go to tackleunderground.com and join their forum. Great bunch of people and they can give answers to all your questions.