Painter1

I have water based Createx. Does that work for painting plastic?

Great videos. Thanks for the link. Any idea what that radio or TV program was playing in the background? LOL

Sorry, I should have said that I was talking about the solvent based material that comes in quart cans. I haven't tried to water based stuff.

I highly recommend using a respirator when dealing with VPI. This is a very low solids by volume material meaning it is mostly solvent. This also means that vigorous mixing is required to get the settled solids suspended. Of course, I have access to paint shakers and that makes it easy. You might stop by a paint store, buy a respirator and ask them to shake your paint?

Harbor Freight heat gun for me with the same timing on each side (7 secs). I started with the torch but realized electricity is cheaper than propane and supply is constant. I'm also not a big fan of open flames. After painting I drop or dip them in a metal pan with water in it to cool them quickly so I can inspect and clear the eye if needed. The Heat Gun I like has a cool down feature that adds another element of safety. Of course, I'm not doing anywhere near as many jigs as some of you guys.

Thanks for that. I was tempted with the Dark Olive but it's tough to tell with computer pictures. Mixing is a great idea. I plan to make a traditional FB jig with a mix of hair & silicone with maybe a bit of flash to see how it comes out and how it works in this cold clear water we have at Table Rock & Bull Shoals. LOL, it's your fault, since I get the bug from watching you YT videos. Thank you, Sir.

Seems like your being a bit harsh on the man. I welcome his suggestions and did not see them as anything but helpful

I must be looking in the wrong places and would welcome a recommended source for Green Pumpkin Color bucktail and zonkers. Thanks and Merry Christmas

Sir, Congratulations on your business prowess. Most jig makers, even buying bulk wholesale, have about $0.40 in direct cost. Indirect costs like energy and capital costs like molds, pouring equipment & shop space can be different for each individual but I'm guessing your CPA could justify adding 50% to that number in demonstration of actual expenses. Add excise tax and cost to package the product and it becomes difficult to see how someone can sell a 3/4 oz walleye jig for $0.51 each not to mention labor & transportation costs. But this guy and many more sell at these "everyday low prices" http://www.riverwalleyes.com/lead-head-jigs.html I applaud your ability to not only sell at 3 x to 5x your competitors rates - but to do it 8,000 times each year might make you eligible to be Donald Trumps Apprentice. Like some others here, my interest is not commercial so I wish you the best of luck. I remain ever grateful to the guys that freely share tips and advice on this site.

I am certainly not telling you what to do, but I tell potential clients if they want exact copies to buy the original bait. I don't feel comfortable making an exact copy of anyone else's work. There is a guy that told me he wanted a very specific bait that was no longer made. I found him some. Doesn't make for good business but that's not my gig anyway.

I have a cone of thread that I want to transfer to a bunch of standard thread spools, very much like you might fill a spinning reel spool from a bulk spool of fishing line. Before I start trying to modify a spinning reel to accept a thread spool, I thought I might ask you guys for ideas.

That is a beautiful jig. Good work I am fooling around with tying some myself. Can you tell me where to buy 6" long bucktail?

Mine are 3 inch

I think I have a couple molds that match that description. I will check the shop when I get home

How could one make a football jig with the brushguard divided and both offset from center. It would require 2 pins for sure, but how to kep them in when you close the mold?

If you want a finer glass material with less abrasion, try running it through a small sandblaster. The higher the pressure, the more the media will shatter making it smaller and rounding the edges. In my business we recycle all types of blast media until it is dust.

Got a link?

Go easy and if it's a bit too red add some green to "brown it"

Yes. If you swim it it does, but it is erratic

The strong solvent based material will melt the plastic

We took the kids camping and fishing when they were small. They are all adults now, but they still love to fish. Getting them bit, regardless of size was important. As teenagers they knew how to have fun without hanging out with the "party" crowd. Just remember that when they get bored, you need to have plan B. Boat riding, swimming, going for ice cream. Then you can keep them excited and wanting to do it again.

I set my cheap toaster oven on 20 minutes at 350. Just be sure the jig eyes are cleaned out before you bake them

We got a new in-wall oven a few months ago that has electronic controls. We had a real problem with the temperature being too low until we had the installer come out, with the manual, and calibrate it. This is supposed to be done when installed. Now it is precise and very stable.

Welcome. There is a for sale section under "Classifieds" at the top of the page. Watch for molds there. If you have a specific mold you are looking for there is a wanted section also.