Lincoya

I’ve cut a couple hundred circuit board lips this way with no problems.

I’m still here occasionally. Still make baits sometimes from raw wood to finished lure. I do not do repaints or paint pre-made blanks. I’m my opinion, that’s not luremaking so I just don’t do it. The old timers here are true bait makers and, though there are some truly talented bait painters here, it just ain’t the same.

Dinger, if you're looking for good quality basswood at a decent price try Heinicke Wood Products ( www.heineckewood.com/ ) in Wisconsin. You can order small quantities or custom cuts. I use their basswood for my other carvings. However, with that said, I do not use it for my crankbaits. I use paulownia. I did a water absorption test here a few years ago and found that basswood has a high absorbency rate. If it's not sealed thoroughly, it will swell up and pop your clearcoat.

I'm back for a visit! I still come here occasionally to see what's going on. I'm one of the "old timers" here and was one of the first few members on TM. Actually, I am the longest surviving member here. Only Swede (RIP) predates me (by only one day though). I think Redg8r called me "the father of the photo-finish" as I was the first person to post pictures of some baits that I had done using the process. You guys here have really taken the process and ran with it. I was also one of the first four at the first "get-together" at Coley's (RIP) home. Charlie aka Charlie Mitchell and one other that I can't remember were the other two. Then, Nathan sponsored our first official TU Get-Together at his house. What a great time! Nathan (of course), myself, Coley, Charlie, KC Dano and a couple of others were there. At one time, I think there were pictures here on the site of the get-togethers. I don't come here often. I am a woodcarver and decided to spend more time with my carving as opposed to lure making. I still make lures sometimes though. Usually once or twice a year. I'm actually working on some now to take to El Salto in May. Gene

northrivergeek, Just let me know when you'd like to get together and we'll work it out. Gene

First post in a long while. I have tried it and, so far, I like it. It's not designed for dipping but does dip well. However, with a thick, dipped coat it takes several weeks to completely harden. It will dry to the touch in under 24 hours but you can still dent it with your fingernail two weeks later. Since I haven't made any lures in while I haven't tried spraying it so I can't comment on that part of it. Gene

I posted his passing here on TU in the "Docks" just after it happened. Gene

A coating of Devcon 2-ton might help. Seriously though, you might consider a rubber thumb cover like those used for sorting paper. Gene

Other things to consider: 1) Insulation - if you plan on working in it year-round. Makes it much easier to heat and cool. 2) Consider where you place it very carefully. I placed mine too close to a maple tree and now the surface roots are causing my shop to "warp". As soon as I recover from my biceps surgery, it will be time to tear up the floor and cut out the roots. 3) Consider building it square not rectangular. You'll get more square footage for the same perimeter. For example: a 10x10 has a perimeter of 40 feet and a total of 100 square feet. An 8x12 also has a perimeter of 40 feet but only has 96 square feet. Gene

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I received a phone call from Coley's wife a little bit ago. She told me that Emory (Coley) Cole passed away around 5:00pm this evening. Coley and I met at the old Tacklemaking.com website and became good friends from there. We spent many hours in mine or his shop talking about making lures. We fished together, travelled to Missouri for the TU Get-Together at Nathan's, and just hung out. We became good friends. He adopted his grandson and was working hard to raise him so we didn't see each other as much after that. Those of you who didn't know him will never know what a good man he was. I will miss him and our talks. May he rest in peace. I will post funeral arrangements here when I get them. Gene

The web address for the hospital is: https://www.mauryregional.com Gene

I went to see Coley today. He looks good but is still having difficulty breathing. His voice is a little weak. I had trouble hearing and understanding what he said sometimes but some of that is me. I am a little hard of hearing. He said that he expects to be moved to a different room later this week and start his rehab. He also said that he had been up and walked 3 times this morning. I was there about 11:30. He complained about having a sore throat but he also ate all of his lunch. All-in-all he is doing okay but he expects to be in the hospital for a couple more weeks. If any of you are interested in sending him an e-card, he is in Maury County Regional Hospital. Their website has a way to send an e-card. I know that he would appreciate hearing for you. BTW, for those of you that don't know his real name, it's Emory Cole. Gene

For those of you who know Coley, I received a phone call from his wife this morning that he is in the hospital, and has been since last Friday, with pneumonia. He is doing some better but is still not doing well. He is already has a pulmonary issue that causes him to have breathing problems so the pneumonia doesn't help. I'm just asking for few prayers for him. Thanks. Gene

Nathan, Checking in!! Thanks to you and Mark for your confidences in me! Yes, I am carving fish and haven't carved a lure in well over a year. I am also learning to carve animals. I just finished a bobcat today, as a matter of fact. I use (for basic crankbaits): Band saw for cutting out the profile 1 x 30 vertical belt sander for the front and rear tapers 1 extremely sharp (sharp enough to literally shave with) carving knife Thumb guard Fingernail sanding sticks available at Walmart Gene

"Twice as good as snuff but half as dusty." "I'd like to buy him for what he's worth and sell him for what HE THINKS he's worth." "Hold 'er Luke! She's headed for the barn!" "Over yonder." I had a Long Island Yankee friend of mine (now deceased) told me that when he moved to Tennessee everybody would tell him something was "over yonder". He said that he finally figured out that "over yonder" was anywhere but where you were at the time. "Catty-corner" - diagonal "Crick" - small creek Enough for now, Gene

I fold my wire in half and clamp the ends in a pair of Vise-grips. Then, I put a small Allen wrench in my drill, loop the wire over Allen wrench and turn on the drill. Makes great screw eyes. Gene

I use .22 cal short rifle shells to make my rattles. I use a small bolt to slightly expand one shell, place one BB in that shell, and then place another shell into the first shell. I then drill a hole cross-wise into my bait while the bait is still flat, place my rattle in the hole, and epoxy the rattle into place. Gene

j27, I also use a double-sided tape. I tried the Scotch but wasn't impressed with it's holding properties. Vince, I don't have any special method for centering the lips other than just "eyeballing" them. I do get them off-center occasionally but for the most part I am pretty close most of the time. Junebugs, Take a sharp knife and cut the edge of your Lexan. If it cuts smoothly, it's Lexan. If it chips, it's plexi-glass. Gene

Vince, When I say that I use a template, I'm using a permanent template made out of hardwood with a handle that I attach the polycarbonate to. Then, I use a laminate trim bit with a bearing on the end of it. The wood template rides against router bit. I can't help you with the centerline though. Gene

I don't see how you can put hand MADE and hand PAINTED lures in the same category. There is a lot more work that goes into a handmade lure than one that someone just paints. Gene

I use a router and a template to make my own lips out of Lexan or G-10. Gene