Coley

Here is a site on using scrap to make your own tackle. http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/hooker44.html Coley

Which brand of white paint is giving you the problem?? Walmart has more than one brand of white craft paint. The one I use is "Apple Barrel Colors", #20403, white in 8 oz. bottle and have no problem with it. Coley

Go here. http://www.angelfire.com/tn/treetotreasure/lips.html Coley

Try this site. http://www.rjleahy.com/Store/wire/bwi.htm Coley

If you can put a pulley on the can opener drive, you can use it to run your dryer. I don't know if the gears will hold up to run it as long as you need to. A 1/2" dia pulley on the can opener, and a 3 1/2" pulley on your dryer will give the dryer a speed of 6 1/2 rpm. Use this formuls to calculate speeds of other pulley combinations. Speed of drive pulley X Diameter of drive pulley ----------------------------------------------------------- Diameter of driven pulley Coley

This is the gold from Jannsnetcraft. http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/Details.aspx?itemno=309111 Coley

Thanks Tally, now, two things. First, I always hit my freshly coated baits with a hair dryer to make sure the coating is going to smooth out evenly. Warm coating flows out more evenly than cold coating. Second, use extremely low heat, if the heat is too high the coating will bubble at the corner of the lip and this is a mess. It can be fixed with a dremel and a dentist bit, and recoated. Better not to go there in the first place. Coley

I second that Chirmy, way to go. I think its my turn. Coley

Great idea, thanks for sharing. I know what you mean. Coley

I have never heard of this. But, to save a lot of r&d, try putting a split shot or a piece of solder on ther rear hook and see what happens. What I have noticed, when I have a bait swimming nose down more than I desire. The lip is usually too long and is trying stand the bait on its nose. By shorting the lip the bait swims in a more level attitude and a little depth is lost on a short cast. A long cast is not nearly affected as far as depth goes. Coley

OK, here is my 2 cents on the subject. First of all, Skeeter starts his post off with, "according to the site here" Is there any confirmation from Tim that his bait was used to help win the tourney. I don't know, right now its hearsay, and that's not good. But, if it is fact, I'll just say, right or wrong, money talks. And to answer the question Skeet asked, Do you think that Takahiro has an obligation to say the correct bait that he used? What is your opinion and why? Yes, just plain simple honesty. In the South we have a saying, " A man that will lie, will steal". Coley

Welcome, to TU. I see you are from Nashville. I live in Columbia. A Paasche VL double action is a good brush. Harbor Freight has them, usually at a low price. Today they are $63.99. Here: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=32371 Paint is preference, I use all types of waterbase paint from Walmart craft paint to Createx. I also use Krylon and Kilz. If you go to a solvent based paint, you need a safe method of fume removal. And Devcon 30 min. epoxy is an excellent choice. Anytime a 2 part epoxy is used for a topcoat, the bait will have to be rotated, either by hand or some other method. If you fail to do so, the epoxy will sag and run off. Coley

E-tex is short for Envirotex. It is a 2 part mix that you may apply with a brush. Let me suggest you give Devcon 30 min epoxy a try first. The reason I say this is, being new you may not have a dryer. E-tex will have to be turned for 2-3 hours, where Devcon will only have to be turned about 30 min. And you can do this by hand. Devcon is applied with a brush. If you don't turn the baits, both Devcon & E-tex will sag and run off the bait. Walmart has the Devcon 30 min, you may purchase E-tex at Hpbby Lobby. Coley

You need to scan the picture into your computer first. Then resize it and upload it into the gallery. Just follow directions in the "hard bait gallery" Coley

Way to go Jerry!!! Congratulations to you and your wife. Coley

Check out a rotisserie motor. I built a lure dryer for a friend yesterday. using one and it works great. It is easily removed and the rpm is 5.5. Coley

Just one beautiful job!!!!!!!!! Coley

Here's my two-cents, from experience with a round lip. I used a 1/2" and a 1" lip on a d-bait. There was no difference in the action and very little in the depth. Coley

This is my latest creation and idea. It is a double decker dryer made from Tinker Toys. I used a 3/8" oak dowel for the shaft. On each end of the oak dowel is a ball bearing. The upper shaft is driven by a spring v-belt from the lower shaft. I hold my baits with a hemostat and place them between two clips. It has a cardboard housing and because my shop is rather cool in the winter time, I added a single eye hot plate ( I used to melt plastic on). The heat allows the epoxy to flow out nicely. Coley

While were on this subject may I ask how you get your hole straight through the bait? Do you drill the block it all the way through and then turn it?? Coley

Very good, thanks for sharing. Coley

Check the tutorial's, there is a couple here that explain rear hook hangers and belly weights in balsa. Coley

Go here and read this article. It was written by Gene Graham, aka Lincoya. Should give you an insight. Coley http://www.angelfire.com/tn/treetotreasure/lips.html

Let's see $90 for 1/2 gal is $180 a gallon. Devcon 2T in the double syringes tubes cost $300 + for a gal. I guess $90 for a 1/2 ain't to pricey. The problem for me would be the fumes from solvent for clean-up if you have to spray it. Coley

From what I have seen so far, you can give a lot and already have. Looking forward to meeting you in person. Coley