BLT

I have my oven set at 350. Put the jigs in cold, turn it on for 30 minutes, turn it off. Never had an issue. Have done "drop" test on them and they haven't cracked yet. Good thing to, because the test are not planned lol.

I had one and loved it. Instead of getting another one, I bought one from a tackle shop on the net (Saltwaters edge) with jaws that hold up to 8/0 hooks. Looks like a Peak to me though. This is a true rotary, of which was a waste of money for me, just need it to rotate. I saw some rotating Apex on Amazon for a really good price, may pull the trigger if they are still there, not that happy with my new vise. The ones on Amazon were rotating, not a true rotary.

I have a friend the works for Eastwood. May have to see what his price is. I use the white powder paint and mix it with their gloss powder. Have no issues with the powder.

I don't know anyone that does.

Only issue I have had of late, mustad isn't keeping up with demands it would seem, and I wish they would carry other hooks like Eagla Claw.

IF you have a tax number, for Mustad and Gammy hooks only, buy bulk at Sea Mar tackle distributers. Cheaper than the other places mentioned. They will insist you fax a copy of your tax numbers. They are also the maker of Fin Strike fishing tackle. They have just about anything you will need to make rigs also. Swivels, snaps, perlon stick leader, beads, even surgical tubing for making Striper rigs. A friend wanted a box of 1000 the one Mustad 3x's strength jig hooks in 8/0, forget what model number, but it was almost $45 cheaper than shortys or captain hooks.

I don't use any hair stacker. After I get the amount of hair on the jig, try to spread it around even and wrap it enough so it stays where I want it. Start your wraps at the eye end, and make several wraps to the hook side. I get a box of straight razors at the store and use to trim the edge in question. Don't get stingey with the blades, when they get dull, get another one out. If powder coated/baked right, damage to the jig should not happen, and even if it would, I push the wrapped hair towards the cut area anyway seeing that it is firmly wrapped, but not tight wrapped yet. If you would go crossed eyed and cut the thread, don't panic, that is why you started at the eye and worked you way to the hook end. Just cut the threads you damaged with the blade and continue on wrapping thread until covered. I use magnifying glasses I get at the dollar store, my eyes are bad lol. It really is easier than I explained, wish I could do the video thing, but I am a guy that isn't into the high tech stuff, and still uses a "dumb" phone lol.

Hope it all works out for you! People post good ideas, don't they. I do my tying sitting in an office chair, and the vise on a solid wood TV tray.

I have close to 700# of w/w in the shed. All for free, that's why I use it. Have about 500 in soft lead also. My free ww source may be drying up, so may just order from roto metals also. W Weights are mostly for sinkers anyway, hate to use good lead for them.

I do batches of 12-15 bucktails at a time, in 2 galllons of water, 3 oz. vinegar, shot of synthropol and 1oz. of dye roughly. (depends on which color) What I found out the other day is I set my hot plate at 180, the next set point is 210 degrees. Had it there by mistake, what a difference in color! I have one of those "as seen on TV" hot plates just for dying. The one where you can touch it and its not hot until the pan is on it. Love that thing.

Great pink. Never tried their dye.

Amazon has the Anvil Apex vise for $99. It is a rotating vise, but not a true rotary. I may get another one myself.

If you are worried about the tails going bad, put them in a garbage bag, and into the freezer. Only get out as many as you need. I get 250 to 275 tails in the spring, and then another batch in the fall. He dries them a little, and sometimes I see a hunk of fat on a tail. I scrape it off, wash in dishwashing fluid and Greased lightning to cut the grease out. Leave soak for an hour or so and stir when I walk past. Put them in an old pillowcase and tie a GOOD knot. Don't want them tails to get out in the wifes washing machine. Put on the drain/spin cycle and they will air dry in a day. Use/dye or freeze them. I pay $.90 a tail, and they are BIG northern tails. Find a guy that handles pelts, he should be able to hook you up.

Nylon thread. Get it at a site called "the thread exchange". Buy the large spools so they last a couple years.

If a white iridescent works for you, find a craft store (Around here, it's A.C. Moore or Micheals) and they have those things you can hang from the doorway and all those strands hang down for like $20 maybe. Many years of supply there, only issue is, you would have to trim it. I think it is like 1/8" wide. I use it for Saltwater jigs. Many year supply for a lot less than getting it from a tackle supply shop. They also have silver, red, blue sometimes, and green. Party supply area.

You have to give some idea of price range. If I were you, I would also like a rotating vise. No need for a true rotary. I spent the money on one and should have saved the $40 and just got the rotating one. Asking what vise to buy is kind of like going onto a car forum and asking what is the best oil or tires lol. All a matter of opinion. I have a vise from a site called Saltwater edge. Does up to a 9/0 hook. Works well, but I liked my Anvil Apex just as much. The one from saltwateredge was $179. If you are only doing a few for yourself, you can score several for under $50. Have a friend that uses a Thompson A vise for many years and loves it. Right around $50 if I remember right. Does rotate.

Are you unclogging before you all bake? Paint is still "brittle" then, and will smooth out the jagged edges while baking. I'm glad the drill bit works for you, but I don't think I am that steady anymore, I would nick the eye and create sharp edges for the line to cut on lol.

Minwax polycrylic gloss clear coat. I do bucktail teasers on hooks, and tye bucktail jigs.....use it on both. The jigs get coated from wraps to tip of jig, 2 coats brushed on. Don't over do the second coat, it can run easier from the smooth 1st coat. I wanted to go UV, I can get it for free at work......but the stuff we have stinks big time. Use it to coat the covers of catalog covers we print.

About 70 secends in front of the hot air gun for the 4 oz., or use the torch and save a lot of time. I saw there is a thing that you can hook up your air supply to for 3-4 air brush guns, and use all three at once. All of them are ready to go. May get one of them and air brush the powder paint on with those badger sandblaster brushes.

Hey Cad, how did you make out painting them? Wrist get a little tired? I use a set of vise grips on the hook to hold them while heating/coating. Was just curious how you like doing the bigger jig.

I make jigs here in Pa., but sell nothing in the state. wish I could help. I would not hurt to put that warning on the label. I even thought of putting a caution on it saying "warning.....hook is sharp". It's a shame you have to think like that, but someone is always looking for the free ride in life.

The 4 oz. really makes 'em hot. Most times, I pour one at a time because the 4oz. is the best seller at the beach. When I get in a hurry and need the other 2 sizes, I pour 2 at a time, but never all 3. Have you ever had a mold go bad from getting to hot for to long?

Glad it went well. The only problem I have is some times the mold gets to hot when pouring those. Cool down time is for melting more lead, and sprue cutting.

I use 6/0 for the 3 and 4 oz., and a 5/0 for the 2oz. to tie for Flounder. Had to do a little work for the 5/0 to fit right. If I get into anything larger than 8oz, the ladle will get a workout. Most of us don't have a spin cast machine.