Fat Ratz

Dick, what is difference between the Liquid Plastic Top Coat (S83) and your S81? Just noticed it on your new order page.

I do not know how it compares to the old. I know the old was a square rubber which is not made any more. This is the same round rubber Buckeye Lures uses to make their Mop Jig. Like all of it, if you leave it in the sun very long the color fades away to a nice shade of grey!

You can get the heavy round rubber from Living Rubber but you have to order from their catalog and call or fax the order because this rubber is not on their web site. I make a lot of mop jigs for guys and they have it it in black and brown only.

Here is a web site that will help you with the Tungsten powder that is mixed with an epoxy carrier to form the tungsten weights you see. Never tried it but looks interesting! http://www.tungstenheavypowder.com/ Randy Fat Ratz Custom Lures

There is a porous polyethylene sheet that is designed specifically for fluid bed use. You can buy it from a company called Small Parts. It comes in a 9-1/2" x 9-1/2" sheet for a little over $24.00. It will work great for a larger fluid bed. http://www.smallparts.com/products/descriptions/spe-peh-spp.cfm Order Part No. SPE-125/D

Amen on the Texas Tackle split ring pliers. I have two pair and could not live without them! Channel Lock makes the best round bend pliers I have used. They have nice padded handles and are real comfortable to use. A little trick I do is to put the split ring on the blade first then attach it to the swivel. It seems to go on easier without binding up the swivel. With the price of good swivels. it pays to buy them with without split rings and add them yourself.

They work fine on the production skirt making tool like the one at Barlows http://www.barlowstackle.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=6&Product_ID=2003&CATID=115 I have made hundreds of them and have had but just a few break on me. Give it a try and I think you will like it. Randy

D.J., if you ever learn to use a airbrush you will not want to put it down! You will need a small air compressor or you can buy small cans of Airbrush Propellant to use before investing in the air compressor. There are so many things you can do with a airbrush plus the prices are very reasonable depending on what brands you buy. Paasch makes a good brush along with a lot of other manufacturers. Everyone has there own favorite one to use. You can do all kinds of custom paint jobs and you can use water based or lacquer based paints depending on your preference. Now is the time to jump in and get your feet wet. You will not regret it!

B&B, have you bought any products from Cast Industries? What is their minimun quanity you must buy and do you get any discount for ordering in larger amounts? Would be nice to be able to cut out the "middle man!"

Been trying since August to order some unpainted Minn-O-Spin heads from Stamina. They have been out for a good while due to problems with the company that manufacturers them and no idea when they will have any in stock. I have sent several E-mails to other companys that make spinnerbait heads (one in Canada) but have not heard back from them yet. I am to the point I need to have my own design made so I do not have to depend on someone having what I need in stock. Anyone know of any companys that does spincast work that may be able to help me?

Hey guys, just had time to read thru this post and sounds like a great idea. I'll be glad to donate some lures for the auction.

Jerry, I would be more than willing to contribute some lures for the testing and critique process.

Kudos to everyone who participated in the swap. I was impressed with the quality and variety of lures I got but that doesn't surprise me. Thanks again Jim for your time and effort! Now to find time to go fishing

Its around a 3 hr drive give or take. If I did't have to go thru Black Mountain I would not mind the drive so bad. It is beautiful country up there!

I don't know how many of you that live in the NC/VA area go to the big flea market in Hillsville, VA over Labor Day weekend but I am seting up there and would like any TU member to come by and lets chat!

Markell, try this link: http://www.livingrubber.com/prSubdetail.asp?psid=4

finlander, here is a brief tutorial I found that may give you a idea how baits are poured. http://www.do-itmolds.com/tips/simple_steps.php?UID=2004081419020266.56.183.59

finlander, as far as titanium wire goes, there is a patent on spinnerbaits with titanium wire (Terminator Lures) and most of us do not mess with it because of that reason. Most luremaking suppliers used to carry titanium wire frames but stopped because of the reason above. As far as commercial spinnerbaits, all of them are made of two parts, the spinnerbait frame or the part you attach your line to and a hook which is attached to the end of the frame. The frame has a small u-bend at the end of it and it goes around the eye opening of the hook which keeps the hook and frame from seperating inside the mold. The frame assembly with hook are layed in a mold and lead is poured around it. Hope this gives you an idea how the are made.

Yeah, check with a auto supply store. It also comes in spray cans. Wal-Mart may even carry it.

I order my self-etch primer from the Eastwood Company and comes already thinned ready for spraying. Dries almost instantly and I have never had a paint failure (knock on wood) and it gives a good tooth for the paint to adhere to.

Joe, you can call Hydro-Silk @ (724)465-8735. They said they were about ready for production but did not give a date.

You may check with Z-Man Fishing products @ (843)747-4366. They may have these wrapped skirts. I talked with the people at Hydro-Silk about a week ago and they are about ready to start producing a wrapped skirt.

They sent me a CD with pictures of there silicone skirt line on it (skirt pads and assembled skirts). They have quite a variety of colors and good prices. Do not remember if they require a Tax I.D. though. I'll look through my material and see.

The last number I had for Z-Man was (843) 747-4366