kevin Posted May 2, 2003 Report Share Posted May 2, 2003 does any body know where i can get that copper wire for thru wire construction on a crankbait. thanks kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legendary Lures Posted May 2, 2003 Report Share Posted May 2, 2003 Get some old household wiring and strip off the insulation. Worse case, you could buy some new, but it's rather pricey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackjack Posted May 2, 2003 Report Share Posted May 2, 2003 http://www.rjleahy.com/Store/wire/bwi.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeeter Posted May 3, 2003 Report Share Posted May 3, 2003 I have bought wire from the site that blackjack gave. He was kind enough to suggest these folks to me. They have an excellent price and are real good people to work with. I was pleased. If you need it real fast then you can get 20 gauge copper wire on a spool at Wal Mart in the hardware section. However, I prefer 18 guage or .040 in thickness. 20 ga. is .031 but will work for smaller cranks. Skeeter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin Posted May 3, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2003 i seen some 18 guage copper wire at lowes, do you think that would work. at lowes they have a soft 18 gauge wire and a hard 18 gauge wire. does it really matter which one i get . thanks for the replys kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Splash Posted May 3, 2003 Report Share Posted May 3, 2003 I would try the harder type first. See if you can make the bends you need without breaking the wire. Sometimes the hard stuff can be brittle. If the softer type will "hold" the shape of you bends then there should be no reason not to use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spookman Posted May 8, 2003 Report Share Posted May 8, 2003 Copper or brass is too soft for wire through lures. I use stainless steel piano wire for the smaller ones and 1/32 or 1/16 inch stainless steel TIG welding wire for the big tough musky baits like the crazy Gator Musky Lure. Piano wire can be bought at cabelos in many sizes for making baits or spinners. Welding wire can be bought at any hardware store or welding supply. TIG welding wire comes in 3 ft lenths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackjack Posted May 8, 2003 Report Share Posted May 8, 2003 Spookman, If you are talking about musky baits copper or brass might be alittle light and I agree that piano wire might be the ticket. But if you are making baits for bass copper or brass is plenty tough. I have been making thru wire plugs utilizing brass wire for about 4 years now. I nor any of my customers has ever had any problems with largemouth bass up to 9 lbs and smallmouth bass up to 6 pounds. I prefer the brass or copper wire because with this type of wire in a thru wire bait I have a higher percentage of baits that hunt. It is also alot easier to use. All of my wire harness baits are soldered together so that there is no way the wire will pull out. Blackjack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughesy Posted May 8, 2003 Report Share Posted May 8, 2003 Blackjack is dead right. The brass or copper is used by a lot of the top wood bait builders. It was also used in the early Bagleys Balsa Baits. They were really the ones to start this hunting craze. The brass or copper is strong enough for everyday wear and tear but, soft enough to flex allowing the bait to have a better chance to hunt. Jeff and I have used it in all of our balsa baits. No Problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Splash Posted May 8, 2003 Report Share Posted May 8, 2003 Some of the Gibbs trolling weights come with brass hardware, and they are used for Pacific Salmon trolling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coley Posted May 11, 2003 Report Share Posted May 11, 2003 I have some copper wire and lots of it. I miked it at .035". I am willing to give some to anyone that can use it. You will have to pay shipping from zip code 38401. I will mail a sample to anyone who wants it if they will send me a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send envelope to: Emory Cole 103 Jefferson Dr Columbia, TN 38401 It seems to be darn tough stuff. I can send some short pieces in an envelope. Hope I can return some favors on this one. Coley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redg8r Posted May 11, 2003 Report Share Posted May 11, 2003 Question Fellas, I know brass is well suited, but how well does copper hold up in saltwater? would you recommend it? Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coley Posted May 11, 2003 Report Share Posted May 11, 2003 I don't believe the wire is copper, only copper coated. A magnet will pick it up. The spool its on says Linde #82 welding wire. Your still welcome to it. I have had it for 10 years and it hasn't corroded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
