Party Crasher Posted February 5, 2004 Report Share Posted February 5, 2004 I found a skirt tool in the latest Bass Pro Shops catalog that opens the skirt collars three directions. It seems like a better way, compared to the Skirt Factory tool which just opens two directions like a pliers. Has anyone used this three-way opening tool? Is it better? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markell Posted February 5, 2004 Report Share Posted February 5, 2004 I would also like to know if this tool locks open? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Ratz Posted February 5, 2004 Report Share Posted February 5, 2004 I have a pair of these and they work okay. The best tool to use period is the production skirt tool like this. http://www.barlowstackle.com/barlows/images/indexpics/420088a.jpg Very fast and efficient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WidowMaker Posted February 6, 2004 Report Share Posted February 6, 2004 I have one of the Skirt Master tools but there is a trick to using it. You have to fabricate a hook (heavy paper clip) on your workbench to act as a type of third hand. (1) Hold the Skirt Master in your left hand with the three prongs in the upward position. The end of the fabricated hook will be in the downward position. (2) Lower the skirt tool down over the hook. The hook will then be located in the middle of the three upward positioned prongs. (3) With your right hand place the skirt material through the hook. (4) Begin to lift the Skirt Master up in such a manner that the material gets caught in the bend of the hook. (5) Continue to lift the skirt tool up so that the hook pulls the skirt material down through the skirt collar. (6) Hold the very tips of the skirt material between the thumb and index finger of your right hand and "pop" the skirt collar off the skirt tool. This will keep the strands from being unevenly placed under the pressure of the rubber collar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markell Posted February 6, 2004 Report Share Posted February 6, 2004 Hey Fat Ratz, I have looked at the production tool. Most of my skirts are about 60 strands (120 total ends). I use a mixture of round rubber and silicone now. Would this tool fit my needs? I am concerned about using the round rubber with it and the diameter of the opening(large enough for 60 strands). Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Ratz Posted February 6, 2004 Report Share Posted February 6, 2004 Markell, I believe it would. The skirt material actually is pulled up inside the tube with a piece of wire attached to the top. The skirt collars are on the outside of the tube and when you pull the skirt material thru the tube you roll a collar off the tube onto the skirt material and you are done. The tube is the same size as a metal arrow for reference size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clemmy Posted February 7, 2004 Report Share Posted February 7, 2004 while on the subject of skirt making tools, has anyone taken the plunge and gotten the Hagen's pro tool? I was thinking it would be worth the big price if I ever transition into production, but was wondering if any have any experience/reviews... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WidowMaker Posted February 8, 2004 Report Share Posted February 8, 2004 I once tried out a skirt tool like the one in the Hagens catalog and it was real nice. But however if you wanted to really bust production you would need to fabricate a foot pedal type device to open and close the tool. This would allow you to have both hands free to handle the skirt collars and materials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coley Posted February 8, 2004 Report Share Posted February 8, 2004 Try this site for home made skirt making tool. http://www.machlink.com/~jr225ho/skirtmaker.html Coley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Party Crasher Posted February 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2004 Thanks for all the help. I liked the production tool at Barlows but I had the same concerns that Markell had about the volume in the tube. I e-mailed Barlows and asked him about trying to get three strips of round rubber in the pipe and they said it wouldn't work. Did anyone try making one of these out of a large gauge hollow knitting needle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaBasser Posted February 9, 2004 Report Share Posted February 9, 2004 Hey Coley,thanks for the site. I have a couple different skirt tools. Now I`m going to make more tools thanks to Coley. I`ll make a couple and put in each different tackle box, so I can make custom skirts on the water. Thanks again Coley! PaBasser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piddler Posted February 11, 2004 Report Share Posted February 11, 2004 i can have a skirt done before you get the material in the tube type makers. i use a thin pair of needle nose pliers. close the pliers and slide a collar over the closed points up about an inch. stack your layers, open the pliers and place the layers inside. hold the pliers shut and slide the collar off the pliers onto the layers. trim the ends and you're done. you can keep the colors separated better this way too. the 3 prong air operated system may be faster but i haven't tried them yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrybass Posted February 14, 2004 Report Share Posted February 14, 2004 Hey boys, I just joined and already learned one of the koolest tackle tricks I've seen in a good while, right here. I've got both, the pen and the needle nose and will build a few tonight while this hot idea is still fresh in my mind. That's one of the problems with gettin' older. I still have a great memory, it's just a lot shorter now. Thanx for the neat posts boys, you guys are what make this place as good as it is. Have a Super day... lb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topher Posted February 22, 2004 Report Share Posted February 22, 2004 i have found that the barlow tube system works great for skip cut silicone pads, but for round rubber, it is tough to do. The silicone pads give you something to hook on to on the ends, so you don't have ot fold the pads over. this is the fastest way I have found. They say to use vaseline for a lube with the rubbers, but I am going to try out some of the slimy berkley scent, you know the kind that you buy in a bottle, squeeze it out. I just don't know if it will react with the silicone yet..... Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop Posted April 3, 2004 Report Share Posted April 3, 2004 Nobody has mentioned the Skirt Making Tool from Netcraft. Has anyone tried their tool? I called Netcraft technical assistance and they said they sell a ton of them and they work great. Ofcourse they might be a little prejudice. For Markell, they said the opening is about 1/4 inch in diameter and should be able to handle 60 strands. I think I am going to order one, the price is right 11.95. Pop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markell Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 Pop, Give us a review. I would say that one is in my price range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop Posted February 28, 2005 Report Share Posted February 28, 2005 Markell, it works just fine. Pop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtrs5kprs Posted February 28, 2005 Report Share Posted February 28, 2005 There is also the BIG skirt tool, believe Hagen's sells it cheapest, then maybe Barlows. Barlows at least has a pic on-line: http://www.barlowstackle.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=6&Product_ID=2299&CATID=65 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop Posted February 28, 2005 Report Share Posted February 28, 2005 Does anyone use this tool and how good is it? Pop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
