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I only make normal bass size lures when I can't find a blank that will fit the need. As there are of wide variety of normal size blank lures, I mostly make larger lures. I have used stainless nails for years. I got a big box of them cheap years ago. I use the stainless rods and shaft wire to have a range of diameters for pins. The Lowe's Kobalt 8" bolt cutters are decent and run $15. They make a good hook cutter too. If those can't cut a rod/nail, I go with a vice and hack saw. When using bolt cutters, I turn my head the other way and listen for how many ricochets I get around the shop. Using a sock or rag to cover the rod when cutting is a good idea. Sometimes my laziness gets the better of me and I just cut them without doing that. Safety glasses are always a good idea too.

I like using stainless steel finishing nails which are probably overkill but at least I don’t have to be afraid of failures. The only problem is they are heavy and a pain to cut (I snip them inside an old sock so that I don’t shoot my eye out haha). Otherwise I’ve heard of guys using weld rod or something equivalent.

I appreciate the heads up on cutting those 2mm rods. I saw a small pair of bolt cutters at Harby freight. I've cut some 16 guage with wire cutters and look out..lol when it gives. I bought those rods because because I intend to be 2oz and above. Rat's and other stuff as they come out of me..lol. it's guy's like you that make this easier to figure out.. Thanks again. For prompt replies I also intend to be the same way.. it increases our own capacity for learning when we share what we know

The 0.024" is stiffer. JB

Braid will melt from the heat of the plastic so that's a no go .

Yes, a sharp knife will do it. Trout and crappie dots are a huge pain to try cutting but larger patterns like perch stripes, crawdad shell, etc are perfectly doable.

Perfect! Thank you.

Monofilament was traditionally used once Dacron fell out of favor in the 50's with Dupont patenting of Stren. Most monofilament lines are extruded above working temperatures of plastisol. Copolymers usually even higher. Trilene XT seams to be the bread and butter with those currently making prerigged worms.

I use the LPO .092" stainless screw eyes or make my own screw eyes from stainless lock/safety wire from Malin or US Wire purchased on Amazon. If there will be 2 screw eyes or the bait is under 2 oz, I go will with .051" twist wire. If it will be a heavier bait with one twist screw eye, I go with .062" twist wire eye. https://www.lurepartsonline.com/-092-Magnum-Screw-Eyes On small baits if I am using the LPO screws, I use the .072" stainless screw eyes and the 1.5mm rods, .062" shaft wire, or cut section of a nail for the pins. Those 2 mm stainless rods are very hard. I use a hack saw and vice to cut them to length. I file the ends smooth before installing them in the bait. Using a Dremel on these can be very dangerous. Cut off disks have a tendency to explode on those rods.

Thank you I've received some of the 2mm RC axils from the link you provided. What size screw eye would you suggest with those?

I will often use scissors to cut my own pattern stencils out of lamination sheets. Not the most clean or user friendly but gets the job done in a pinch. My brother owns a laser engraver for leather work, so I picked up some mylar sheet to try laser cutting. I’m hoping this will allow me to make trout dot stencils customized and sized specifically for my baits.

Finally pulled the trigger on my Fat Guys Fishing 3.75" Rip shad mold. If I wasn't so darn busy during their black Fruday sale I could have saved a bunch. Looking forward to shooting these baits and with the warmer temps here in CT, I may get to use this bait sooner than I thought.

Finally had some time to sit down and give them a call. It couldn't have gone smoother. This is only my second order from them. But I was treated like I just spent a million dollars with them. I have a few more items from Fat Guys on my shopping list. First I need to recover from this one! Every business needs to treat their customers they do!

Thank you! Just wanted to know if it was common or if I was going to waste a ton on custom molds I appreciate it

Another day above ground, brother!!

Getting old is not fun but definitely beats the alternative!

we use smooth on . use a good mold release . we use manns 2831.

Great guys to do business with & they back up their molds.

Pour a set of weights from the mold and weigh them. Easy way to find out and then you know for sure what they weigh. Arne.