gliders

Anglingarcher, that's the kind of detail I like ! Kinda backs up my practical tests that when it comes to an actual glider in water ,there's not much discernible difference. The shape on left is probably my final shape, slightly more rounded than what I was using ,same performance, nicer looking ! As a final test I will swim it with the amended rocket style on the right. Thanks for the interesting insight.......glider

Mark, you could. This style of fin as clemmy says is about stability. Clemmy- thats what I'm talking about,for a given size/surface area you would think rocket shape fin should be a more efficient shape for stability /minimal drag. In practice I dont see much difference. The more rounded style is maybe a little less prone to damage and possibly more forgiving .......glider

No idea how that worked !

Horizontal mark,in practical terms there's nothing really between them, the manatee style is probably more aesthetically pleasing though. Theoretically I would have thought rocket type should be more efficient . Dont seem able to make pics correct size to illustrate, no probs till now. Is 0.42mb always been max size ? Must be missing something,not good with such like!

Musky glen,the gliders I make for my own use have no fins. They are however built on the edge of stability to maximise glide, if not worked precisely they are very unforgiving. With slight modifications and the addition of a fin they become far more forgiving if your not experienced working them. They tend to hold an even depth better which I find good for boat fishing. Personally I prefer without fin for my own use more often than not. Friends like my finned version cause it's easy to use. I should add ,I'm not talking about glider stability regarding lure shape or ballast or anything else, purely fin shape theory if a fin is used........glider

Thanks dale,not had any issues till now....glider

Unable to upload pics to illustrate, can someone remind me of rules for doing so? Says only allowed 0.42MB. Is there a limit on picture size ,quality or quantity per month or suchlike ?

Any rocket scientists about ? I've recently been re-designing and refining some of my gliders that have tail fins for stability. Having used rounded manatee style fins which work well,and recently tried various rocket fin shapes with similar results, I'm inclined to think that technically the rocket shape fin ,all else being equal,and not considering aesthetics should be a more efficient shape. Any thoughts anyone?

Best thing to do is buy transparent green, the pigments ate different. ...glider

I think because it appears so benign compared to other power tools there's a tendency to be a bit blase with belt/disc sanders = sore fingers !

I find 80 grit good on belt and disc for most things craig,however I make mostly big hardwood lures ....glider

Very nice gekhang .......glider

Good stuff....

Highwayman, a picture of your glider may help, I notice in above video he has made a floating glider,is that what your aiming for ?

Hello andyco,your first lures look great ,but your not allowed to showcase lure pictures in forums unless to illustrate a point pertaining to thread subject. Pics to showcase your work can only be posted in gallery , it's explained if you look at rules regarding posting pics. The footsteps belong to the moderator whose going to come along and tell you this ! Don't panic, it's happened to many and is done for good reason ,if you check nathans guidelines on posting pics, its explained there. ......glider

I personally would recommend several lighter coats than a thick coat. It's tempting to think thick coats will avoid fish eye's but it can mean you just make the fish eye deeper and also can make the e-tex build up in places you don't want it. I'm not saying put on real thin but if your happy with the thickness of your 1 heavy coat ,try to get to same thickness with 2 lighter coats and so on, and avoid touching between coats completely, if you have to touch it then wipe with alcohol afterwards and only when hard......good luck.......glider

Porkmeatballs, you dont need to wait a week between coats of e-tex, depending on conditions I can do another coat of e-tex after 8 -10 hours. . ....glider

I hear footseps !

Thanks gk and sc, looks well worth investigating further. I have access to top notch print shop who specialise in decals,wraps etc., so might quiz you further along if you don't mind. Thanks info......glider

Does die cutting or plotting just give individual cut shapes ?,in other words do you end up with scale shape stickers that you apply individually ? If so then I'm not convinced thats how the lee lure above is done,and definitely not how salmos are done. Having said that ,I now want a plotter cutter- oh dear...

I think to get get near the effect your after without hot stamp equipment (big bucks) using a printer,you would have to either print black onto holo foil or as stripercandy suggestes print scale outline onto clear waterslide decal ,then apply to holo foil. If you go that route use lazer printer if possible, if you use inkjet the colour must be fixed with acrylic spray. The stuff I was doing which dale referred to was applying a few scattered individual holo scales over foil to give a wounded knocked about scale look. I wouldn't fancy attempting to cover a whole lure with that methodu ! W.T.P do some nice looking holo scale stuff that you might want to check out,not the same as your pic but well worth checking out.....glider

I use jacquard and perfect pearls through airbrush also. As travis said, as long as powder is fine enough you should be o.k

Might be worth getting some advice regarding design in the softbait forum, but good luck and keep updating. ...glider

Just wondering backlash, is this intended to be a master for making soft swimbaits rather than a multi piece hard swimbait ?