CA Delta

Pete, thanks so much for the feedback. My wheels went from spinning to burning rubber. I just happen to be an electrician & we use heater boxes for bending a radius in our pvc conduit runs. I'm thinking with a few modifications, it might just do the trick. I also like the smaller store bought one from TAP plastics. On another note, you must be very excited for your 3 week fishing trip. That sounds like so much fun. I hope you catch lots of quality fish. Take care. Tim

Pete do you have any pictures of the bender that you use for folding the hinge? If so I would love to see one, You got my wheels spinning... Tim

Pete, I couldn't agree with you more. I have found that each bait has it own set of ballasting rules. Sometimes the majority of the weight goes in the head or maybe the middle section. On some baits I left out the middle weight & the head & tail were weighted. Other times I've had to add weight in the tail, just to get a nice fluid swim action. Also moving the weight 1/16" towards the head or tail can make or break the action. So many variables, so little time. @ Mark, thanks for sharing your finds with us. Great topic. @ Jed, if I ever get into casting & micro balloons, you will be getting a ton of questions from me, guaranteed. I can tell I will be going down that road very soon.

@ Dieter & Pete. I go on-line & click around, looking for a store bought hinge & you two guys go out to the shop & fabricate one. Maybe someday I will be a master craftsmen like you guys. Pete I like the folded lexan hinge, that places the hinge pin down the center. That is exactly what I was looking for. The hinge manufactures only offer an offset hinge pin. I can get them to work, but yours is spot on. Hopefully you can do a tutorial on your hinge for all of us. Dieter, thanks for all the feedback on the hinge searches you did, some great ideas. How is the new tut. coming along? Tim

Hey Pete, what exactly is polycarbonate? Is it similar to acyrlic? Could you give me some kind of break down? Thanks, Tim

@ Dave, I never thought about roughing up the surface with some 80 grit. I will definitely try that on my next bluegills. @ Jammie, I do agree that the standard nylon hinges (milky white color) tend to get brittle after some abuse & wheathering. I talked with the sales rep. from the hinge manufacturer up in Washington & he said that if I was looking for a strong lightweight hinge that the fiberglass infused is the best on the market. They are fairly inexpensive also. I will do a load test on one of my baits & post the details. @ Dieter, thanks for the feedback on the hinge hunt. I'm interested in the article about the kevlar textile hinge you mentioned. I can't wait to see your new swimbait & the hinge tutorial. @ bdhaeh, these hinges measure 1-1/2" W x 1-3/8" H. The swimbaits that I build range from 5" to 10" long & 2" to 3-1/4" high. I'm not sure if they would work on smaller baits. I'm finding myself putting the heaviest weight in the belly of the middle section, with some weight in the head & even sometimes in the tail. So many variables. Thanks for all the feedback. Tim

John Hopkins with a bait making video. I just heard about this, so I went on his site to see if it was the one & only JR & it's him alright. If I would have known this, I could have saved so many hours of trial & error. I would also like to give PVC trim board some props. This stuff is all that you have heard, but I'm slowly learning that making a mold & pouring some fetherlite is the next level for me. Maybe some day. Tim

@ Dieter, I weighed one if the hinges on my wifes not so acurate scale & it was 1/4 oz. or about 8 grams, somewhere around there. It's hard to read, I think I need glasses. There is also the weight of the sheet rock screws I used, but I'm looking into some nylon wood screws, if they even exist. All in all, I was able to install the ballast in the belly, making for a nice tight swimming action. I still wish I could find a thinner hinge, that had the hinge pin down the center, instead of offset. I'll let you know, if I find any new materials. Tim

Hey Dieter, I will definitely try & switch the hinges in the opposite direction. I have tried it with another brand of hinge, but the offset was to large. I was able to get these hinges, centered up fairly close. The hinges are very light weight, real similar to the PVC board that I use. I think the stainless steel hinge pin, actually weighs more than the hinge itself. I'll keep you posted for sure. Hey Rookie, long time no chat. I still have to add ballast in the first & second sections. Did some swim tests last night & I am delighted with the results. Can you believe I still haven't started painting yet. I told you I was slow. My main concern with my baits is the action. Hopefully it will pay off some day, after I learn how to paint. Thanks, Tim

Here is the new "Fiberglass Infused Nylon Ninge" that I used on a small bluegill swimbait. The acrylic piano hinge I used in the shad swimbait tutorial has been holding up just fine, but I'm always on the look-out for a stronger, more durable hinge. Maybe it will get some wheels turning for someone just starting out, like myself. Tim