Richard Prager

I hate doing jointed baits. The painting part is so bad but the clear coating if using epoxy is a PIA and time consuming. At least it is to me......I recently did a sebile for a friend and wrapped the green twist ties that is carried in the garden sections around the joints to keep them straight. It comes in like 50 foot rolls. You can just wrap it until the bait is straight and then cut the wire. This worked out alright, but like I said time consuming. If you are making the baits for yourself, then it would most likely be worthwhile. I'm sure there are better or other ways, but that's how i did it and hopefully was my last one! LOL

They are middlemen that deal with several factories. They are the same blanks several vendors here use. Most are fair, have some imperfections but are not too bad. They are not high quality blanks. I call them knockoffs of knockoffs. I have bought from everybody and the only one I've never had a bad blank from is www.unpaintedlures.com. I have bought and compared the "same"model blanks from various vendors, and i can assure they are not the same. Most vendors in the U.S. sell a mixed bag of quality blanks. Unpainted does not do this. He is the only vendor to have ALL high quality blanks as opposed to a mixed bag. I do like and buy one model each from two other vendors here in the states. Believe me, I have a box full of crap that is just sitting here. I don't even think I would put them on e-bay without feeling guilty. Wlure is honest though...I bought 80 topwaters that sunk like a rock. They called the factory and then refunded my money within 24 hours. Vendors here, only offered credit as opposed to refunds on bad baits.

Usually, some color shift paint....

I use the Micron, but i spay all of my baits right before clear coat. I use BSI and the ink will smear sometimes if i don't.....The main reason i spray, though right before clear coating, is I NEVER have a problem with the epoxy pullying away because of contamination. It covers all.... I also have seen a (I think) a You tube video where a guy used a stencil and sprayed his name on with createx or whatever he was using.

Devcon is carried by Ace hardware. Your can go online and have it delivered free to your local Ace. E-tex you can get at Michaels with a 40% off coupon. BSI can be purchased is you have a local hobby shop Mine closed down so I buy everything here: http://www.hobbylinc.com/

Thers is no such thing as pour for myself and a couple of friends. Bait making is as addictive as heroin You always have left over plastic and never enough molds.... The money you might save is offset by the cost of either a Divorce Attorney and/or rehab.............

I use BSI and all I do it warm up the bottles a tad and do an 8 count of each. I get 2 baits out of it and toss the brush. If its a larger bait, I use a 5 count and just do the one. I think the BSI and D2T are pretty forgiving with measurement (as opposed to something like e-tex)and I'm more concerned with temperature and mixing. Since i am now working indoors in the AC I have almost 100% success rate with epoxying. I'm probably the only one that does this but it works for me. Now, I just need to learn how to paint!

There is a directory or luremakers. Any time this was asked in the past, the cheerleader" came out in droves. Not a bad thing, just showing loyalty and brown nosing a bit. This started arguments and once I even tried to grab a guy right through my monitor! If i was in need of some baits, whether it's skirted baits, cranks, plastics, etc. I think I would just PM somebody whose name appears numerous times on the site. People who are still willing to to give back and answer the same questions over and over again which in my opinion (for what that's worth) is what this site is all about. Having a banner helps keep the site up financially, but it doesn't mean they make a good product. Ive learned everything I know about making tackle right from here..........

www.unpaintedlures.com www.bustinbassbaits.com

Wear jeans when you drink and pour. This way when you pour 350 degree plastic on your hand and try to shake it off, you won't also burn your leg......You'll save on your hospital stay that way! Just sayin'

incredible!

Should be on the labels. Since you don't have the plastic to look at the lable, I would suggest calling the distributor who sells. it most of the guys sould be willing to talk to you about it. if not, I wouldn't give them your business

I would replace the one in the kitchen............period. Do not pour in your house. It will leave a film on your curtains,upolstery, etc. but that stuff can be replaced. Use the search engine about proper ventilation sytems. Make shift sytems like box fans at an open window is BS.......if anyone tells you different,they don't know what they're talking about. Rule of thumb is, if you can smell it.....you're breathing it! Sound a bit harsh? Congestion, nosebleeds, Migraines are not coincidences.....and those are just the minor consequences! It's a great hobby, but you must take the proper precautions................

I find that most other forums are just small cliques and are very close minded. If you go against the in house Gurus, you get chastised. Everything, i've learned about tacklemaking I learned here. I would suggest that any newcomer read every.....and I mean every thread in the area they want to learn about as well as use the search engine. The search engine is invaluable because you get the opportunity to ready many different threads on the same topic as opposed to asking a question and receiving just a few answers or opinions. Works for me....!

I have that brush and it is a great brush. I also have a couple of Eclipse CS. The difference is the Hi-line's parts are a bit more precision made and i believe the seals are impervious to solvents. The only downfall that i see (for me anyways) is the hi-line has a .03mm nozzle and the Eclipse has a .035 nozzle. I do not have to thin ANY pearls, irricdecents, colors shifts with the Eclipse. I just stay away fro Createx white and use Poytranspar Super Hide. I do not have to thin any paints with the Eclipse.I guess you can say I'm lazy and/or i don't like the extra work. This is what works for me....

I believe if i readi It right, I do it the same way a RayburnGuy.....I cut the pressure way down and then pull the trigger all the way. Similar to It spits out a small amount, is very time consuming but gives a nice affect. To do the back of a 1.5, I would say I had to pull the trigger about 50 times. Warning.....not for production and older tacklemaker with Arthritis! LOL

I've seen a member here to some outstanding work with spinnerbaits and their blades. Maybe he will chime in if interested. Don't want to mention his name and put him on the spot.

Just stop clicking on it........

I use the Micron 08......;5mm line width but i do spray something over it or it will smear a bit. Most craft stores carry them. I get mne at utrecht art supply for about $2

You're too kind, Ted! Funny, I just received this from a friend in Michigan 30 minutes ago........I just got some skirts and tied one of those slips jigs you sent me a while back. I am so stoked! You poured those for me when I had to stop pouring plastics! I appreciate the time you spent teaching me and have been able to carry allot of that over into painting. There are a handful of the finest tacklemakers in the world here who have been and still are willing to take the time to explain in detail how things are done. I don't want to mention any names because i know I will forget one or two. But people in every form of tackle making have taken me under their wing to pass on their knowledge. I am forever grateful for that and to them and try to pass it on when asked. Thanks to all..............and use the damn search engine! LOL

I remember the jig making materials request but didn't mention it. believe it or not, I just printed a postage lable to send some painted cranks to a Youth event in Indiana. I'm send ing 2 custompainted cranks, which is a far cry from a medium flat rate box..............I couldn't help myself and promised this a few months ago.Besides I could use the good Kharma and a decent seat in Heaven! LOL

It is a shame, but these things do happen.......and quite too often. A few years back when I was pouring plastics, I sponsored a high school fishing team in Indiana. It was a great experience. They sent me pictures all the time and really appreciated the baits. Since then, I've been contacted by someone in the Armed Forces with a gov't e-mail address and sent a box full of baits along with a few others from another sight that jumped in to help the men and women who defend our country. I did get an e-mail stating my baits were received and was promised pics and e-mails from those service men/women who received them. Bubkis! I received a phone call from the Sheriff of a Georgia Police Department asking if i could help out with Youth Tournament they run every year. It was in two weeks. I busted my butt to get a bunch of stuff together and mailed it Priority Mail to the attn. Sheriff and he received it 2 days before the event. Never heard as much as a thank you, email......nothing. I get e-mails for sponsorship daily, Yet they have never won a tournament, send a resume or (I paint cranks now) have ever purchased a crank bait from me. Heck, most of them don't even know what type of baits I make. They make it sound like they are doing me a favor.........if I feel like responding, I just tell them I paint enough baits now, and if I get busier than I currently am, it will be too much like work and take up another hobby........ .....seems like too many people these days want something for nothing. It's a shame because the legit events are suffering.

I use the BSI 30 minute slow cure epoxy daily and find it works great! Remember, it cures at least 70 degrees. Not a signifigant difference in working time to D2T. Either way i only make enough to do 2 baits. The big difference is the bubbles. There aren't any unless it is cold out. Their flex coat works alright but you need 2 coats. I've used their CA's for gluing on the eyes but went back to loc tight because my local hobby shop closed. I have to use of the 2 epoxies because of the low odor

I have painted and sold quite a few of these just the way they are. I haven't had any complaints and have had several repeat buyers. These are not made by Spro. They were suppose to be floaters, but that's what happens sometimes when dealing with overseas.

Thanks, guys! I have my answer. I'll leave well enough alone! With my luck I would know over the dipping container! LOL