bladesandbaits

Sorry Robert. Typo in my post. Replace with 'The only advice can give you is always be humble" Regards, Blades

I tell you one thing Bro. If those are from a rattle can i cant wait to see the results from an airbrush. The only advice i can give you is never always be humble as your post here appears - and never underestimate yourself. From what i can see here you already have the talent. BTW, painting in the shi*ter is exactly where I would be painting if my wife would allow it.Thats where most of my ideas and patterns culminate from anyway. Regards, Blades

Happy Birthday Deano! Regards, B&B

Jim, here's the Splatter Tip. BADGER 165-50-0374 SPATTER TIP MODEL #'s 100, 150, & 200 When I got it I was not quite satisfied so I modified it a little. The head cone protrudes fron the cap about 3/16's of an inch.I took a needle file and filed tiny grooves across the face of the cone. Here's the touch up. http://www.autorefinishdevilbiss.com/products.php?pg=1 Mine has a little age on it but still a Cadalac. Regards. JT

Thanks guys. #1 - Aztek (sp?) I dont use it much. I have all the tips for it but use the extra fine tip occasionally. #2 - Touch Up Gun (gravity feed)- I use it to prime and basecoat lures.Most of the time I am either priming or basecoating 30 or more lures at a time so it really comes in handy.I usually clear coat 30 or more lures at a time so it comes in handy for that as well. Although this particular gun was extremly exspensive,it was well worth the money in the time it saves me.It really shhots a sweet smooth pattern and holds 8 ounces. #3 -Siphon Feed large tip - General use #4 -Siphone Feed fine tip- General use #5 -Siphon Feed fine tip - General use #6 -Gravity Feed w/modified splatter tip- I personally think a gravity feed gun works better than siphon feed when doing splatter. This is the only time I use a gravity feed gun. ( except the large cpacity touch up gun for priming and basecoat) #7 - Air Blower (constant 80 PSI) an absolute must! Jim, there is a method to my madness that would probably run most people crazy.Fortunatly I have most of my clients trained to seperate there lures into ziplocks or twist tie them. If they want something copied I ask them to cut a picture out of a magazine/send the bait they want copied or sometimes I already have the pattern or bait. Regardless I ask them to seperate the baits and label or tag them in some way. If they dont take the hooks and hardware off I charge them an extra $3.00 same goes for if they send it in the package. I have way to much going on to take hardware off, keep up with it and the package. Sometimes I de- hook baits with side cutters and the client never see's the hardware again. When I recieve baits from clients I throw them in a plastic dollar general basket with an index card with the clients name/#of baits/pattern. When I prep the baits and tape the lips I write on the taped lip the pattern.From there its just hanging them in different groups as I am painting them.I average preping/priming/painting/or clearcoating about 30 baits a day most of the time so it can get a little trying at times. Beleve me it is not as simple as I explianed .As everyone that custom paints knows,by the time you have actually started painting them, you have handled them so many times you have most of it in memory. Believe me I have to keep the laptop and notes in the paint room with me so I can go back and look at emails and notes to make sure I am keeping on the right track. Take Care Guys! JT

The Cave.

It's a Megabait. Regards, Blades

Lakeland Premium Premium Grade Premium Finish get my vote. Regards, Blades

I dont mean to put him on the spot but a member cullin8's (Dwain Batey) here at TU does all my logo work.Dwain created all these. Dwain is very creative and about the best I know. If you are interested,maybe PM him. Regards, B&B

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Thomas Edison " Dont buy anything that eats while you sleep" My Dad (God Rest His Sole) Regards, Blades

I wish I could Phil but the Pay Pal fees on a Million Dollar transaction are just to much . Will you accept a two party out of state check? Regards, B&B

Please explain. Regards, Blades

http://www.tackleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11638&highlight=codes Regards, Blades

Charlie. This is where I get mine. http://www.buyabarcode.com/index.php?/en There may be better deals out there but It was the best deal I could find at the time. There is a pretty good Q&A section as well. Once you buy an initial block, they get cheaper becuase the set up fees were paid on the first block. Once you purchase them they will send a file to you that contains all the blocks you purchased and other information as well. I just had them email them to me and saved them to a disc. When I first wanted to print them I just called up the file and printed on my laser printer using avery label sheets.Now I have a printing company make them for me on a roll.They print them from a file I sent them as well. If you still have questions just call the guy and he can clear anything else up for you. I have some of my products in some pretty big stores and have had zero problems with these codes. Regards, Blades

Just scroll down to Ceramiclear and there's a Tech Sheet in PDF. https://buyat.ppg.com/refinishProductCatalog/ViewProductListing.aspx?BrandID=5d7b4ed7-f83a-4469-b68c-04551702a5df Regards, Blades

Welcome. Regards,Blades

I use PPG DC4125 Ceramiclear. It's expensive--- $200 a gallon but will rival any cleacoat on the market. Shoot it thru an air brush No turning on a drying wheel. It sets pretty quick " no runs- no drips" so just hang it and let it dry. Regards, Blades

Sure you can "squeek" out a Living.Just be prepared for what was once your Hobby, to now own you. That can be good or bad depending on how much you love making baits. Of course it all depends on how much money you need to make to call it a living. (Quote) how would you or are you already doing it? looking for ideas! It took me about 5 years to be independent on what my lures could return in the form of a viable living.10 years later I still dont depend on them totaly for my living but I could if I chose to. How would I start? Well, I would start out slow.I would educate myself on that 100 mile radias you spoke of. I would educate myself on the tackel stores in that radias. I would educate myself on the baits I would be making and try to concentrate on baits people would use. I would start things out on a small regional level and make sure I could supply the baits before I commit. I would try to get the baits I made (and rods) into the hands of people who would talk them up. Most important I would DO ...... and i repeat DO WHAT I DO BEST! Be the absolute best that you can be before you ever put a bait or a rod on a store shelf or in someone's hands if you are expecting some praise or positive word of mouth adverising. Always- Always- try to be better the next time than you were the last and try to never get complacent (sp) If you will do this and be patient. Then your baits/rods will go where they need to go.And things wil happen. It all depends on how dedicated you are. Look at the whole thing as if you were trying to push a huge bolder up a hill.You scratch and claw and push and pry with all the effort you can.Then eventually the bolder gets over the hill and starts down the other side.When it starts down the other side is when things start happening.Thats when you will find your own way to make it work. There is enough on this subject to write a multy chapter book.I am sure others have good information to add as well.I just hit the high points.I didnt mention things like: Finding your own special touch to put on your work (something to set you apart from the crowd) Keepeing a note pad by the bed to write ideas in that come to you in the middle of the night. Surrounding yourself with people and organizations that you hopefully can sell yourself to and they in turn will help you. Pro Staff (although I may piss some of my pro staffers of by saying this) but sometimes Pro Staffers are just a liability you can do without.You reaaly know you are where you need to be in your skills when they look you up and want things.If you go looking for them then you more than likley took on a liability you cant get a return on. My number one piece of advice is Stay away from Ebay if you want to succeed long term. ebay is ok and I am not knocking it.Hell every now and again I stick something up on ebay just to let them boys know I am still around. But maintaining a presence on ebay in my opinion is a waste of time in some areas of Custom Lures and Tackle.If you are not carefull you will find yourself trying to "Out Do" the next guy and loose site of your goals.That is if you really expect a living to come from this. I know I missed alot so fire away boys and help this guy out . With Kindest Regards, Blades Regards, Blades

On reviving Powder Paint. Sometimes I may go a a while and not use one of my many colors of Powder Paint. Although I store all my powder in a refrigerator, in airtight containers, sometimes certain colors get a little "stiff". Solution: Go to Dollar General and get yourself one of those miniature hand held food processors. They hold about a 2 cup capacity and cost under $10.00 Add your "stiff" Powder to the mixing cup and "letr rip" Caution: Make dang sure you latch the lid down properly first. I also do this to green pumpkin, watermelon and black everytime I use it regardless of how new or old it is. Regards, Blades OH .......................... I almost forgot. Here's another one. Never by anything that eats while you sleep

Welcome Roadtoad. Regards, Blades

I can hook you up with a guy that will wholesale them to you. Lucky Craft as well as many others. The two stipulations are: Tax ID Number and $100.00 Minimum. PM me if you want the information. Regards, Blades

Dean sent you in the right direction. Especially if you are just getting started. My advice would be go with the Harbor Frieght compressor for starters.With this compressor outfit you would get all you need to hook up your brush and start painting (you need to buy paint of course) and with that sale price you cant find a beter deal. If you decide to really start cranking out baits, then upgrade to a compressor that has a storage tank and quick recovery.I have one from Harbor frieght as well but use it only for portable use now.(show's, demonstrations) The only draw back to these small compressors for me is that many times I am priming and basecoating 50 or more baits at a time and it just wont keep up.Thats when you will want to get a bigger one. Regards, Blades

I Modify Stretch 20's quite a bit for fishermen in my area. It's an old school modication but works well. Drill a hole about 3/4 of an inch back from the diving bill on the under side and insert a 3/16 ounce bullet wieght point first. The wieght needs to be just in front of the front hook hanger. Make sure you epoxy the wieght in and seal over it well. This modification will get a Stretch 20 down to 25 or 28 feet on 10 pound Flourocarbin. Will work just as well on a 30. Regards, Blades