Ogajiga

Does anyone else think we could all benefit from having a section on the website where MEMBERS could post what they have to offer? Out of the thousands of members only a few dozen maybe are actively posting so the talents of the vast majority remain unknown. Maybe listings could be brief with just a name and contact info + a one line description of specialties catergorized under "soft plastics", "jig heads", "custom mold making", "wooden plugs", "flies", etc.? Not meant to be free classified ads, just standing information what a person has to offer. This would be expecially helpful to guys that come to TU to shop for product outside of the mainstream who would otherwise just get a few answers to their question posts.

There's nothing like a Pro, but if you're on a severe budget, for $49 a year I get domain name registration and hosting and built and maintain a simple site using using the hosts free web design tools. Takes awhile to get the hang of it and there are some quirks which I can explain. If you're interested PM me. Again though, if you can afford it, go with a Pro because you get what you pay for - for $49 don't expect someone to hold your hand.

Stripercrazy, thanks for the info - I wondered if the smiles were for more than just looks. I would think the beans would tumble sideways when hitting bottom making them more snag prone? Every try the banana aka boxing glove design in the moving water?

Saltyross, what species do you target in what area? Stripercrazy, do you prefer the forward rather than center position of the hook eye on the lima beans? Very professional looking ties by the way.

I know old timers like em, but my last batch of #6 32755 reds were dull pointed. Noticeably softer wire than the 32746 too, despite the "extra strong" claim. Yes the red finish wears off pretty easily on both styles, but I think the 32746R is gold underneath which is a good color for crappie fishing? BLN of course is a tougher finish. Personally, I prefer the VMC 9147 Needle Points in the smaller #6, 8, & 10 sizes. Cheaper than Ultra Points at Shortys and just as sharp & strong.

I realize there are probably good reasons, so why build a wrap and cement foundation on the shank rather than using a collared jig head?

I've experienced Component Systems epoxy dry dull in humid conditions, rainy nights the worst. Problem went away by painting on sunny days with a small fan running to gently circulate the air. Would an additional clear coat cover the dull film?

OK, go for it. The first and last time I tried to Dremel a body cavity I created concaves that locked the casting in & stuck the mold halves together. I had to drill a big hole through the mold halves to get molten lead in to free it up. So be careful if using a ball cutter.

Wow, the OVE glove website is milking. For under $10 I might try one. That shop coat is SOLID but I wish DT offered a similar coverall.

Yeah, you gotta be exceptionally skilled to Dremel the job you describe. If a production mold is unavailable, try contacting shawncollinscustoms.com and inquire if he has what you want on file. Lots cheaper to cut a pre-loaded design than do a from scratch custom mold. Grass/swim jig design appears to be pretty standard nowadays and I'll bet he's got something real close, if not exactly what you have in mind.

Hey, the OVE glove looks exactly like the rayon(?) ones dipped in nomex & kevlar, except it costs over $20 with SH for ONE and ones I use are, what, $1.49 a pair. Great idea, those guys are making a killing!

Hey, thats such a sow belly, is it full of water? Just jealous, haven't broken the 3 lb. mark yet in Colorado, and I've logged major mileage on smallie shorelines.

Final word on woven rayon(?) gloves - I wear them for comfort and they wouldn't offer the barrier protection of leather in a situation where enough liquid melt contact could burn through woven fiber. And no glove that I know will let you hold onto a fresh hot ingot for long. "dampeoples" your former employer probably wanted you to have the coverall as a token of appreciation.

With a bottom pour leathers fine. With a pot & ladle pouring ingots or big sinkers you get into situations like picking up castings or tipping the last of the melt from a pot where leather can get hot so quickly you have to rip off the glove. Of course you learn to avoid these sitiuations but sometimes work load pressure can make you careless. As for eyes I've read articles by respected authorities on jigging who prefer unpainted lead for many applications.

Good point so I did some research. Rayon is a cellulosic fiber made from wood pulp as opposed to petroleum based synthetics like polyester, nylon, etc. Like cotton it does not melt and its "auto-ignition"(?) temp is 752* F. I've been unhurt by minor lead spatters on the gloves and when touching hot surfaces the heat takes awhile to reach skin and builds gradually rather than suddenly scorching hot like leather. ie: with the rayon(?) gloves there's time to let go before being burnt. Molten synthetic on skin would definitely be uncomfortable, especially at the high temps needed to burn through nomex or kevlar. Thanks "dampeoples" I learned a lot and am passing on the information.

Yeah, batteries are the worst. Back in Grandpop's day lead was used for roof flashing in sheets and around vent pipes. Check any old pipe to see if its lead. The joints of big cast iron pipe sections have a gasket of very good quality plumber's lead which came in the form of six or eight sided blocks about 4" in diameter. Old telephone line cable and connections might be lead sheathed. Although not lead, bearing seats that support rotating rods like engine crankshafts are often babbit made of a tin alloy which is excellent for alloying into lead. Trophies, old metal decorative items, & cast toys like soldiers might be lead or pewter although those might have a collector value exceeding the metal value. Metal pitcher and cup sets are often pewter, but I repeat check on collectible value before melting down. Old soldering wire or bars will also contain a significant amount of expensive tin - don't waste tin by randomly mixing it into your lead melt - 5% or less is all you need for an improved lead alloy. Old weight training equipment might be made of lead or be lead shot filled. Boats might have a lot of lead in the hull or keel as ballast weight. Actually, anything metal that seems heavier than iron or steel might be lead. If it scratches, dents, or bends easily you've scored. That should keep ya busy.

Well, its kinda impossible to load small hooks with gloves, but the mold handling hand can be always gloved. Dunno about others, but leather gloves heat through too much for my comfort so I started using cheap rayon I think coarse weave ones that are reversible for either hand. Not talking about the cotton fabric ones. They seem to insulate and breath better than leather, though I wouldn't want too much liquid melt on em. They do wear out but less than $2.00 a pair.

When our local classifieds trade paper response totally dried up recently, I posted a "Scrap Lead Wanted" ad in our local Craigslist and so far in a month or so have gotten over 450# from 3 parties at $.50 a lb. Mostly low grade hard scrap like ballast weight & old dive weight shot and buckles but about 70 lb. of soft cable and roll also. Also got stuck with a full free bucket of old lead head roofing nails that required 15 hours to pry off the heads for 27 lb. Got nothing to lose posting since the ads are free.

Hey, did you get your burn initiation yet? 1. Picking up hot casting with bare fingers. 2. Splashback dropping more lead into melt. 3. Touching hot mold to bare skin. Probably left out a few, but seriously, if you can avoid all this, you're doing better than I did starting out.

Once again, thanks all for your support - I will take the advice to pursue a criminal case to the extent allowed me. I would like to respectfully suggest that everyone is entitled to their opinions and the person who chose to side with "blacksun385" might have done so with good intentions. I can't judge that he got played by the crooks because so did I, and would like to close this with no hard feelings in our special community. "dampeoples", luremakers can never have enough hooks. Yah, I know you know.

Restitution from siezed if any Rupert assets not likely because the main victim and complainant is GY, although I did file a local police report and an ic3.gov complaint. Past the 45 day deadline for filing a Paypal claim and no reply from them for 3 weeks of requests for assistance in filing bogus non submitting online forms. Apparently, GY needed evidence from online victims like "ledhed" and I to initiate law enforcement action in their and the Ruperts' location of Page AZ and it was important not to disclose details on the forum to avoid allerting the crooks to the investigation and bust. Those Page cops move pretty fast !

Update: a representative of Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits with whom I have been cooperating notified me that Mike & Carol Rupert have been fired and arrested. Not only were they scamming money for undelivered auctions, but the items were stolen from GY. Anyone who was following "blacksun385" auctions will notice that they have disappeared prior to completion, and be advised if you took delivery of items they are stolen property.

Sorry, guys, thought I was done, but I received this message from "blacksun385" through eBay: hello i have no idea who you are but another member has recently contacted me and informed me of a message board that you have posted some negative things about my ebay name and another name (m and carol ruppert). Now, the man was polite so I will honor his request and say that based on the wording and picture of "blacksun385" Gami hook auctions being identical to (terminated eBay account) "mcr2006wow" auctions that defrauded me I made the possibly incorrect assumption that the two eBay sellers were the same person. So I apologise for my inappropriate advice for other members to avoid "blacksun385" auctions based on observation rather than known fact. However, if any member of this forum provided information to "blacksun385" to trace me through eBay that was done without my permission. Done is done, but please PM me before you further meddle in my affairs.