pattern rollers

[akriverrat]

ok im getting into foil now and rolling that piece of coilrod over multiple pieces of high temp tape is brutal. also would be nice to have some different patterns than the standard checkerboard. any ideas?

[cadman]

I assume you are use the aluminum tape, that the hardbait guys use correct? If so, don't they have a thinner version of that tape? If they do, you can use that, and then put bridal tulle underneath it, to get any effect you want. Also aluminum foil works, but I don't know what you would use for glue. Heating the jig up to accept powder paint, may un- adhere the glue, and everything would start to fall apart. Just some of my own thoughts on this.

[akriverrat]

its a tape used in the heavy construction to tape vapor barrier in a fire retardant manner. it is fairly thick but transfers nicely and dosent pick up too easily when im rubbing it with my finger or nail. 3m venture tape makes this stuff and i can usually get it for free since its on every job im on pretty much. the coil rod im using is major large thread and pretty long so i will tape the ends so my hands are rolling over a smoother surface. that should help anyway. anyone know of pattern rollers that would transfer scale patterns? this bridal tulle, can it be bought in a form that can be heated to 375 and no damage done? i did a couple wrinkle jigs in the foil, i wasnt real impressed.

[cadman]

Sorry about the mislead information. The bridal tulle, will not withstand the heat from a heat gun or baking. My eyes saw powder painting, my mind thought air brushing. Now that I'm on track, I'm thinking wire mesh. Let me look around, and I'll post back to you in several days.

[sagacious]

ok im getting into foil now and rolling that piece of coilrod over multiple pieces of high temp tape is brutal. also would be nice to have some different patterns than the standard checkerboard. any ideas?

I saw your jig pic in the candy color thread. Very nice work.

If you can, get some 3/4" sharp-theaded rod. The threaded rod you're using looks pretty large, and has fairly wide flats on the threads. The sharper the threads (the smaller the flats), the 'cleaner' the scale pattern. I have some that's 3/4"-16, and it makes nice scale patterns that stand out, even on larger baits. Maximizes the pattern detail for the same effort. Rod threaded at 3/4"-10, with machine thread and large flats, doesn't give the same pattern detail.

There are a couple other patterns I use on larger foiled jigs. Running the threaded rod over the foil at a shallow angle looks like squares set on their side (checkerboard), like so: XXXXX. Try running the rod over the foil at a greater angle, and you'll get a sharper scale pattern that looks more like ><><><><><>. Here's a few of my jigs with that scale pattern:

http://www.tackleunderground.com/photos/index.php?n=1595

http://www.tackleunderground.com/photos/index.php?n=1596

Also, many baitfish have a scale or muscle pattern that's easily re-created by running the rod over the foil with just a single pass, and at an angle toward the baitfish's head, like so: . This pattern stands out, and looks great with just a black/sparkle back, and a white throat. Very simple, but it offers excellent contrast, flash, and realism. I did up some 6oz 'anchovy-pattern' jigs like this, and they looked great, and got bit very well.

When rolling the scales, I put a 1/2" thick sheet of hard rubber under the foil tape, and press down on the threaded rod with a short length of wood. That saves my hands, allows me to press down very firmly during the rolling, and the hard rubber sheet allows the foil to be embossed deeply and evenly.

Also, do a search here for "taxidermy scale roller" and you'll turn up more stuff.

Hope this helps, good luck!

[akriverrat]

very informative info sagacious. thanks for the tips. i actually have a thick piece of rubber sheet that will work great for that. bet its gonna work alot better than the kids paperback book i been using .