mark poulson

I've read here on TU that you have to really careful using Future, because it sets up so hard if you don't clean your airbrush really well, and really quickly. Does your mixture have that same characteristic, or is it more forgiving?

For a buck, isn't it is worth a try?

I use clear nail polish from the dollar store. Quick, convenient (each bottle has it's own brush), and as durable as I need. Try a bottle. For a buck, what do you have to lose?

Would a narrower head allow more side to side movement of the blade? If so, I think that's a good thing.

Those look really close. Thanks.

It looks SOOOO good!

I want to match both the watermelon/copper flake and the orange/red flake in the Yamamoto Flappin Hog. I can get close to the watermelon, but I'm having trouble with the orange. My orange looks more muddy than their orange. Any help would be appreciated, since I am now making two 6 cavity molds, one of the 3 3/4" and one of the 4 1/2". I've gotten close before, but I'd really like to nail it. Thanks ahead of time.

Do you use a base color for your plastic baits, and then paint them, or pour them clear?

Is that a photo finish?

Just remember, vises are like vices. You gotta pay to play!

I use a Do-it Arkie mold, because I want to be able to add a weed guard.

I only paint baits for myself and my friends, so this is not a production model. Strictly hobby stuff. I really like how I can paint and finish a bait the same day, using Createx and nail polish I prime the baits the day before. Since the heads of spinnerbaits and chatterbaits are so small, I can brush the Createx on with an artists brush, heat set/dry the paint, top coat the finished bait with clear nail polish (heat set with a hair dryer, too, to speed curing), and fish it the next day.

The ones I've seen have been made with round pizza cutting blades. That was many years ago, and I haven't seen one since. I don't even know if those wheels are available anymore, but it's probably worth doing a Google search if you really want to make one.

I used to, but I seem to have lost mine, according to my kids.

I use BBs. I suppose, since paint like Createx is water based, you should try and use something that won't rust. And something that doesn't have sharp corners, which can damage the plastic paint bottle.

Their spray should work, too.

Check out TW's collection of wake baits. There are lots of jointed baits there.

Maybe you can get samples from them to see if you like it before you buy the mold.

I use water based acrylic paints that are sometimes used for T shirt painting, like Createx. You can find them in hobby supply stores, like Michael's, or online at air brush suppliers. Here's one, but there are lots of others: http://www.coastairbrush.com/categories.asp?cat=11 When heated above a certain temperature, their molecules cross link, and become waterproof. Unfortunately that temperature (I don't know what it is, but I think it's like the highest setting on a clothes iron) are too high for me to be able to reach with ruining my baits. I use those paints, use a hair dryer to thoroughly dry multiple thin coats (which avoids trapping moisture under a thick coat that will expand later and ruin the bait's topcoat protection), and then protect my paint with a truly waterproof top coating. If you do a search here for top coat/topcoat you should find lots to read, but the basic topcoats are waterproof epoxies, UV cured polyester resins, acrylic clear coats, moisture cured urethanes, and clear fingernail polish. I hope this helps.

If you do vent to the outside, be careful where the vented fumes go. Don't blow toward and people or pets.

Be sure you get the glass beads that have not already been used for blasting: https://www.ebay.com/itm/8-LBS-Glass-Bead-Medium-Grit-MIL-SPEC-8-70-100-grit-Sand-Blasting-Abrasive-/111672165459?hash=item1a002e0453:g:VocAAOxydgZTKU6c

I use the rattle cans that Ace Hdwe sells. I'm sure it available wherever Rustoleum is sold. Google it. Just be sure you have good ventilation. Whatever it is that etches the metal has some nasty fumes, but they go away pretty quickly. I prefer to spray outside. If I have to spray inside, I spray with the garage door open, and turn on a fan blowing past and out as soon as I'm done spraying. A paint mask with a solvent filter is a good idea.

Great job! I'm jealous (again).

Good for you! Looks like you didn't forget much!