Wire tying the skirts?

[skeeterman24]

How do you hold the skirt in place so you can wrap wire around it? Also what guage wire do you use?

[21xdc]

Practice, practice. I use The Beadery 24 gauge copper craft wire, But 22 is fine too. Comes in many colors. Wrapping twice is the key to a nice finish. Pulling the tag ends is more important than the twisting as far as getting it tight. I use the manual safty wire twister pliers and it's an awesome tool to have for this. Do not use the auto or spring return.. Tapered Nose - 6" Long MILBAR SAFETY WIRE TWISTERS from Aircraft Spruce

[rsinyard]

I agree. It takes practice, practice, and more practice. I bought a spool of .26 gauge but it is a little small. If you don't watch it, you will break it in the twist. You want to use a coated copper wire. That way it doesn't rust if the jig lays in your tacklebox for a while. Also, I use a pair of side cutters and make a notch right under the head. That way when I pull the wire tight, it is in the notch and won't slip up and down between the bottom of the head and the first lip.

[BassAssault]

I cut a skirt collar in half and build the skirt as normal, except I put the collar where I want the skirt to stop just behind the skirt keeper on the jig. Put the skirt on as normal but stop with the collar just behind the skirt keeper. Then I wrap 24 gauge wire around the skirt twice (at the silicone sollar), slide the wire up to the back of the jig head and while holding one end I pull the wire tight, cut off the long piece of wire and twist the tag ends. Then I use hemostats to twist the wire. cut off the excess and you are done.

Ashley

www.bassassaultlures.com

Edited November 6, 2008 by BassAssault

[taildancer2]

I'm just curious, is there an advantage in using wire to tie skirts on?

I've tried wire, but went back to using thread. I was probably using a wire that was to light of a gauge.

The wire would last a long time, as would the thread. I'm not much in favor of the plastic/rubber collars.

Thanks

[rsinyard]

I'm just curious, is there an advantage in using wire to tie skirts on?

I've tried wire, but went back to using thread. I was probably using a wire that was to light of a gauge.

The wire would last a long time, as would the thread. I'm not much in favor of the plastic/rubber collars.

Thanks

I think it is a matter of preference more than is one better than the other. Using wire is easier for me to handle and that is what I have learned to do. I believe either one has a better life span than the rubber collars. If you are more comfortable using thread, that is what I would stick with.

[dollarbill]

Are there any tutorials anywhere that shows how to do this with the copper wire?

[JigKing]

Will the coated copper wire rust at the ends were you cut it at? If so do you put any king of sealer over the ends?

[Jig Man]

Copper won't rust. I have been using the windings out of an old table saw motor for the last 10 years and still have several hundred more pieces to go.

I do prefer string tying them to wire though. It gives me much more control of just where I have the material when it is cinched down.