WISGUY Posted February 28, 2008 Report Share Posted February 28, 2008 Is it a bad idea to use sections of smaller diameter cedar, poplar, and maple trees, or would I be better off buying lumber and doing it that way. The reason I ask is because I can cut a tree for free, and free is good... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChampionBoatGuy Posted February 28, 2008 Report Share Posted February 28, 2008 The only problem I would have with cutting and using a fresh tree is that the lumber wouldn't be kiln dried. There would be a high moisture content. I don't think that would be very conducive to lure building, or much else for that matter.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WISGUY Posted February 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2008 I heard somewhere that you can take pieces of poplar and effectively "kiln dry" them in the microwave on 20% power until all the moisture is evaporated out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldzoller Posted February 28, 2008 Report Share Posted February 28, 2008 I think you can cut you wood into smaller pieces and dry it yourself fairly quickly in a microwave or toaster oven. I'm not exactly sure how you can tell when the piece is dry, perhaps someone else has tried this and can offer some insight. Or, just experiment on your own and see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted February 28, 2008 Report Share Posted February 28, 2008 This is as much a question of time as it is a question of money, if not more. If you're going to spend about 3 to 5 hours working on something, you probably want it to succeed. Thus, the risk of having a lure split or check, or fail to hold primer and paint because of its moisture content it generally too high, especially when the relative (cheap) price of wood is factored in. If you have access to a Lowes or Home Depot, you can buy a piece of poplar big enough to make at least a half dozen baits for less than $5. To me at least, wood is among the last areas in which one should cut corners and try to save a few pennies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murf102246 Posted February 28, 2008 Report Share Posted February 28, 2008 i found a place that makes molding trim and custom furniture and he gives me all the short pieces i want usually they are 2 foot or longer and usually anyhwere from 2 to 3 inches thick i offerred to buy them but he said he was glad to get rid of them check the phone book for custom shops and call them you might be suprised what they will give you i could get just about every wood imagineable good luck ps i keep him in fish durning the summer for a swap off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy maker Posted February 28, 2008 Report Share Posted February 28, 2008 I have heard of lathe turners soaking their green wood in alcohol for a few days. The alcohol draws out the moister in the wood and then the alcohol air dries from the wood quickly. Now you know all I know on that subject. I have also heard of the microwave trick. With that said, I know of a guy who was doing it and a hidden pitch pocket in the wood "exploded" and ruined his microwave. I have to agree with fatfingers. As small as most baits are, the purchase of a single board could keep you going for a while. Any job you do will only be as good as the materials that you start with. Just my opinion. mossy maker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
