Travis

If some would find it useful I am sure some will put something together. I guess I am strange and wouldn't use such a feature. I am more about searching for the data within the site threads and guess what... I learned a lot of important information and members that warranted all posts to be skimmed for content. It avoided many many unnecessary posts asking questions.

These used a 1/8 router bit on the drill press/vise set up. I typically prefer the high speed cutters (dremel) over the router bits for this but either work fine.

If it doesn't have to be perfect/consistent then a drill press and sliding vise will do the trick. Teamed up with dremel bits I mill slots like that with no issues. Set my depth stop and make a few passes. Ends up quicker and better results than drilling a series of holes and having to clean them up. Just slower but if the baits are the same would likely be better than a jig and dremel/router set up. For some reason I got the idea they bait was a foamie in the first pick and thinking always consistent. Start with square stock and layout and should be able to really knock some out.

You could make a jig to hold the bottom piece and use a dremel with router attachment. Should always turn out uniform that way. Another idea could be create a "stamp" to melt the slots. Would look at a piece to hold/reference the base and a press mechanism to lower two soldering irons with tips modified to the correct profile.

From my experiences in the past only way that ends up being legit. And experts easy to find as we have several that I have all the confidence they can pick out a good bait based on design, paint job, attention to details, etc... plus they know what it takes to actually make a bait. Most open vote contests I have watched become nothing more than who has as many friends they can get to vote for them had nothing to do with being a good photo, lure, carving, etc.... Watched guys set up multiple accounts because of they had access to work computers, university computers, etc... and cast countless bogus votes for themselves just to win less than 50 dollar prizes

I would honestly rather have a small group selected to do the judging. A small panel of "expert" judges that give the reasons why they selected the bait.

I can tell what they aren't. As Clemmy mentioned the bottom looks to be a Suddeth. The top I don't know, figure could be from an individual possible. It doesn't appear to be any of the usual niche crankbait makers that I can think of currently. Probably one or two I forgot however.

Years ago I just put the foil or electrical tape directly onto thin stencil material/milk jug etc... and then punched them clean. After just peel the eyes off and they stick fine. You could build and eye with off set pupil, etc.. then do the final punch to get it round also.

A proper fitted respirator and cartridge will be more than adequate for guys slapping paint on cranks. Now if we want to debate comfort then I will take your option or better yet a proper hood ventilation system so no respirator needs to be utilized.

About the easiest and best sealer is just use shellac (dewaxed), Zinsser Bullseye seal coat.

I would caution some... many patents are junk. Hate that the patent office will essentially accept anything in order to make a buck. I doubt he goes after any of the "big" guys unless he has deep pockets. I have fished several soft plastic "poppers" in the past. The Rebel soft plastic pop r and then a lizard in the early 90's.

I always assumed that drill press came from the similarity in presses and punches used in fabrication at the time of the patent. 1890 the earliest I found that refers to the invention as drill-press. I always like those old schematics (like artwork). Always interesting to see how terms evolve to different industries. http://www.google.com/patents/US512355?pg=PA5&dq=drill-press&hl=en&sa=X&ei=718WU6N-g8-uAfmugLgO&ved=0CAgQ6AEwAQ http://www.google.com/patents/US503153 http://www.google.com/patents/US439567?dq=drill-press&hl=en&sa=X&ei=OWEWU5XLGonTqgGaw4GoDQ&ved=0CAYQ6AEwAA

Respirators when fitted properly and utilizing proper media work fine.

Best dependent on the person. I always hated Sculpey for making masters. Like most things (unless you have no skill) you can make them work and find out all the ins and outs. I still find basswood about the easiest and quickest way to go when it comes to making masters. It carves, sands, and takes detail good. It can get frizzy but nothing flaming won't fix. Seal it and ready to go.

Once I get the blank knocked out and then profile on the bandsaw I usually end up using an assortment of carving knives to rough stuff out and get overall shape and details I want. Then the dremel and an assortment of sanding paddles, picks, etc.....

The two sided is actually the one that is usually the desired on. One sided not nearly as much.

My issue with the dremel for shaping balsa is so soft that it actual is more of hindrance than help. Sanding paddles are quick and no issues. Glueing up your own is easy but the last time I just used the sticky backed random orbit sander stuff. For grooves I just do two pieces and press to leave the indentation of the wire. Typically I just use a triangle file on its edge and one soft pass and good to glue up.

Balsa and a dremel. Sand paper is all that is needed. Three grits will all you will need, 80, 120, and 220 if you want. Take some thin wood scrap and glue up some sanding paddles.

So what are you removing when you degas? Trapped air bubbles one thing but more interested in what volatile organics you are removing. I have asked some manufactures before but haven't always received responses from... well no one with a chemistry or science background. Depending on the hygroscopicity of components water may be drawn into the "plastic". I am not clear on how close or important specs are in the product suppliers are making. From most of my inquiries and experience figure it isn't a huge issue and variability from lot to lot is considerable.

I wouldn't pass on hand pouring as it really depends on what you are looking to do.

Yeah I you can use several tools to press the desired scaling into the foil before applying as mentioned above or you can do it after in some instances. Take a knurled knob from a tool (rathchet handle, file, etc...) and roll it across the foil once on the bait and transfer the pattern.

Guys have been using it for a long time (prior to me joining in 2004) and and I have always been under the impression when I saw "foiled" that almost all mean the tape. It burnishes really well and can be made to stretch around and cover intricate detail. A lot of information hidden throughout the years about its use. Hawg as far as adding scale patterns the main ways are adhere netting to the bait first then burnish the foil over it or press the detail into the foil and then apply. Here is one using the first method. Just a light spray adhesive first lay the netting onto the bait. I had not burnished the foil yet on this on but really helps get a nicer finish (shiner and more detail).

I think it is rather short sited to bash BASS or anglers for making money. Without the evolution this site wouldn't exist, quality fishing stuff wouldn't be readily available, etc... and a lot of the waters we fish wouldn't be available because of the recreational aspect bringing so much to the communities. I don't think they really have they lost touch with there base... BASS evolved with the same crowd that they drew in then from the get go. Now guys like to romanticize the notion and BASS has done their fair share of giving it the "good ol' boy" history as that sort of thing sells in bass country. They didn't become huge off young new to bass fishing crowd. It was their bread and butter (baby boomers) that demanded and more importantly had the income to drive the industry of high dollar bass boats, high dollar lures, high dollar trucks. They have been the economic driving force for the past 50 years (still). Times were good (401k, pensions, low cost of living, unionized wages, any thing you touched was sure to make money) allowed many to be free with the dollar. I recall my first summer intern at a company and guys would show up to work and it looked like a BASS weigh in. Dozens of glittery bass boats pulled by suburbans and full size pick up trucks. Add favorable lending practices too boot and look out. Guys bought and swapped out bass boats and trucks more often than many buy new socks.

I find your comment funny about not being able to afford a CPA. In my opinion it is just the opposite..you can't afford not to have one. Too many guys do this stuff on their own and leave money on the table or are in for a surprise later at some point. This is one area a lot like to "save" money on because they believe they have the tax code all figured out (add a man card to your deck sort of thing). Definitely ask questions and guidance from guys that are doing it so you can have some points and questions to ask the CPA. You should have been pulling money out all along for the expense of a CPA.

I was never sold on the one I made. It had decent action but was never satisfied with the overall longevity of the bait and "fishability". Too many hard baits were just as effective so didn't end up using it as much as I thought. More of a bait made because everyone was starry eyed over the concept of soft plastic swim baits.