Help Needed For Making Spinnerbaits, Blades On Wire Won't Spin

[Crymdawg]

Gang, I'm new at making spinnerbaits and had a problem with ALL of the baits that I tested recently. For some reason I can't get the secondary blades that are on the shaft to spin. The large one at the end of the wire has no problem spinning. I made several with both Willow and Colorado-Indiana types on the shaft and NONE of them spin. I used plastic &/or metal beads as spacers. The blades are connected to the shaft with a metal stirrup that lets it spin freely on land. Is there a suggested distance from the end of the wire to the secondary blade to get them to spin? Some of the beads that I used are bigger than the normal mass production lure models. I'd also like to put two blades on the wire and cannot get them to spin either. I can add pictures if that would help. Thanks !

[toadfrog]

Gang, I'm new at making spinnerbaits and had a problem with ALL of the baits that I tested recently. For some reason I can't get the secondary blades that are on the shaft to spin. The large one at the end of the wire has no problem spinning. I made several with both Willow and Colorado-Indiana types on the shaft and NONE of them spin. I used plastic &/or metal beads as spacers. The blades are connected to the shaft with a metal stirrup that lets it spin freely on land. Is there a suggested distance from the end of the wire to the secondary blade to get them to spin? Some of the beads that I used are bigger than the normal mass production lure models. I'd also like to put two blades on the wire and cannot get them to spin either. I can add pictures if that would help. Thanks !

Got a pic of the assembly?

[smalljaw]

A pic would help but Ibet you have the bottom blade on upsidedown, the bottom blade should have the cupped side facing the up toward the main blade and the finished side facing down toward the head. If that isn't the problem it may well be either the spacing or your bottom blade may be too small for the size bait and it will spin but you have to reel quickly, sort of a burning retrieve to get undersized blades to spin.

[BBK]

I'm not quite sure what a metal stirrup is; but if it isn't a clevis sold for spinnerbaits, I'd try getting the right clevises.

[kelly]

http://www.tackleunderground.com/community/topic/16547-blades-not-spinning-frustration/page__fromsearch__1

This should help on this question.

There are 4 pages of good info. I learned alot from it and look at spinner baits in 2 ways now.

Edited May 2, 2010 by kelly

[pirkfan]

Gang, I'm new at making spinnerbaits and had a problem with ALL of the baits that I tested recently. For some reason I can't get the secondary blades that are on the shaft to spin. The large one at the end of the wire has no problem spinning. I made several with both Willow and Colorado-Indiana types on the shaft and NONE of them spin. I used plastic &/or metal beads as spacers. The blades are connected to the shaft with a metal stirrup that lets it spin freely on land. Is there a suggested distance from the end of the wire to the secondary blade to get them to spin? Some of the beads that I used are bigger than the normal mass production lure models. I'd also like to put two blades on the wire and cannot get them to spin either. I can add pictures if that would help. Thanks !

That secondary blade can only spin "on the drop" (which is also frequently when you get a strike) because that's the only time the shaft on which the clevis spins is moving straight forward in the direction of travel. In addition, "on the drop" the primary blade on the swivel is more or less in line with the wire shaft so that it doesn't interfere with the secondary blade. When the bait is retrieved, the upper arm is at some angle to the direction of travel (depends on things like the resistance of the bait head, angle the shaft is bent at, etc.), so there's no way for the blade to spin around the shaft, it can only flutter.

[21xdc]

The shaft needs to ride horizontal to let the front blade spin on it's "axle" Bend the wire closed, add a bigger rear blade are two things that can/will help.

[danderson]

That secondary blade can only spin "on the drop" (which is also frequently when you get a strike) because that's the only time the shaft on which the clevis spins is moving straight forward in the direction of travel. In addition, "on the drop" the primary blade on the swivel is more or less in line with the wire shaft so that it doesn't interfere with the secondary blade. When the bait is retrieved, the upper arm is at some angle to the direction of travel (depends on things like the resistance of the bait head, angle the shaft is bent at, etc.), so there's no way for the blade to spin around the shaft, it can only flutter.

I don't have that trouble unless I have too many blades on the shaft like was popular a few years ago. I would say the trouble with the original question is what smalljaw said, that the blade was on upsidedown.

[mtn lures]

Gang, I'm new at making spinnerbaits and had a problem with ALL of the baits that I tested recently. For some reason I can't get the secondary blades that are on the shaft to spin. The large one at the end of the wire has no problem spinning. I made several with both Willow and Colorado-Indiana types on the shaft and NONE of them spin. I used plastic &/or metal beads as spacers. The blades are connected to the shaft with a metal stirrup that lets it spin freely on land. Is there a suggested distance from the end of the wire to the secondary blade to get them to spin? Some of the beads that I used are bigger than the normal mass production lure models. I'd also like to put two blades on the wire and cannot get them to spin either. I can add pictures if that would help. Thanks !

I ran into the same problem when I first started making lures. My problem was the hollow metal beads. They had some small burrs on the ends which locked up the blade on the clevis. The beads serve as a bearing for your clevis. I use a solid brass bead instead. They are more expensive but you can use just one bead . Just put it closest to the clevis. Also if the beads are too large they can inhibit the function of the clevis.

[JSC]

Several things (most have been discussed) main ones that I have found are the size of the clevis and the wire shaft hole size not beeing large enough for the wire size, also in some cases "pinching" the ends of the clevis may help due to the spread being to large in conjuction with hole size and wire size ... Colorado Blades spin the best for the front spinner ... Honestly I have "boiled" it down for my use that a "Single Spin" really does a better job for ME ..

My 2 cents worth

JSC

[Crymdawg]

Gang, I'm new at making spinnerbaits and had a problem with ALL of the baits that I tested recently. For some reason I can't get the secondary blades that are on the shaft to spin. The large one at the end of the wire has no problem spinning. I made several with both Willow and Colorado-Indiana types on the shaft and NONE of them spin. I used plastic &/or metal beads as spacers. The blades are connected to the shaft with a metal stirrup that lets it spin freely on land. Is there a suggested distance from the end of the wire to the secondary blade to get them to spin? Some of the beads that I used are bigger than the normal mass production lure models. I'd also like to put two blades on the wire and cannot get them to spin either. I can add pictures if that would help. Thanks !

Gang THANKS for all of the responses !!! I turned all of my secondary blades with the concave portion facing up toward the bid blade. That should help. I'll try that out the next time I go on the water.

[smalljaw]

Gang THANKS for all of the responses !!! I turned all of my secondary blades with the concave portion facing up toward the bid blade. That should help. I'll try that out the next time I go on the water.

Ley us know how you make out.

[Crymdawg]

Ley us know how you make out.

After turning the concave side as suggested earlier the secondary blades now rotate properly. Again THANKS for all your help !!