Jr Branham Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 How are you guys laying out your baits? I'm wondering about the wood grain of balsa. This will be for flatsided crankbaits. Would you use first pic or second pic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jr Branham Posted April 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 This bait will be about 1/2" wide, two piece made of separate 1/4" thick balsa glued together, using thru-wire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Maxwell Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 You want the grain running from nose to tail. You also want to cut both pieces side by side so that the density is the same. Number the sides so that you can match them as you assemble to baits. Good luck. Tony 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedyarb Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 Like the bottom pic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 Definitely second pic, grain along the axis of the bait - always, with all woods. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted April 27, 2013 Report Share Posted April 27, 2013 A question from someone who has never made a through wire bait. If you do use the through wire system, does the grain orientation of the bait really matter, since the wire provides the strength for the lure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kajay920 Posted April 27, 2013 Report Share Posted April 27, 2013 Mark, Yes it does. With the grain along the short axis there is more end grain along the long axis. Even with the through wire and epoxy it is much more likely to break. The end grain on the top and bottom also will give you more problems sanding and painting. Just the nature of wood. Keith 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted April 27, 2013 Report Share Posted April 27, 2013 Mark, as you know, the wood's strongest perpendicular to the grain. Balsa needs every advantage it can get to improve its strength. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted April 28, 2013 Report Share Posted April 28, 2013 That makes sense. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
