aydensdad82 Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 I have .041 SS wire I plan on running through my bass plugs made of balsa and basswood. My question is what size hole should I drill? The smallest bit I can find is 1/16 which is .06 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarverGLX Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 There are smaller bits that work off a # system but are not related to inches... More like gauges. However it may prove much easier to split the bait or assemble it in halves as many do on here and glue it back together. Bits, especially small ones, tend to "walk" out of center. The longer the bit is the greater the walk is and the harder it is to stay on center. When you get to the length of a whole bait it is nearly impossible to drill a whole completely through and on center. Some have tried drilling from both ends but this rarely works out either. IMHO splitting and recombining is the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedyarb Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Here's how I do my thru wire baits. I buy 1/4" balsa at the hobby store. I cut two identical profiles, and stick them together using blue double sided duck tape. I drill the ballast holes, cut the lip slot, and shape the lure. Then I use a box cutter too split the two pieces. Bend the wire, and glue halves together. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aydensdad82 Posted October 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Thanks for the tips. So are you guys using a regular wood glue when piecing the halves back together? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedyarb Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 I use super glue when in a hurry. Or 5 min epoxy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aydensdad82 Posted October 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Devcon 5 minute? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedyarb Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Actually I use hobby lobby 5 minute because it's cheap. I use bob smith 30 minute for topcoat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Just remember that Devcon 5 minute epoxy is water resistant, not waterproof. Their D2T 30 minute epoxy is water proof. So are Etex and Nu Lustre 55. I don't know about Bob Smith epoxy. If you use the 5 minute to glue your halves together, be sure to top coat with something that is water proof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aydensdad82 Posted October 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Were are you finding the Etex and Nu Lustre 55? My local Lowes only has Devcon brand unless I am looking in the wrong aisles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 I use the 30 minute epoxy to glue the halves together. That gives me plenty of time to make sure everything is aligned properly. Once everything is aligned just wrap a rubber band around the bait to hold it while the epoxy sets up. I've also used Gorilla Wood Glue for the same purpose. Same deal with the rubber bands. The slower setting glues just give me more time since the eyes aren't what they used to be. If you can get away with using the 5 minute epoxy then that is fine as well. Even though the 5 minute is not waterproof water shouldn't be getting that deep into a bait. If water does get to the glued joint then you've got bigger problems than the 5 minute epoxy not being waterproof. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aydensdad82 Posted October 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Thanks everyone. I will keep you guys updated. Would using closed eyes (screw in style) instead of a line through take away strength or weaken the balsa? What about stronger woods like basswood? I figured running a line through would take stress off the wood itself... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffond Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 The other option would be to cut a slot in the bottom and put wire in after its formed with ballast then just use either filler or two thin sheets or balsa to fill in the gap... or if your going with putting in the eyes vs thru wire I recommand watching Deiters video from the tutorial section here... http://www.tackleunderground.com/community/index.php?/topic/23556-twisted-wire-eyes-video/ Also Paul Adams explains doing the first thing I suggested here... good luck with your build post some pics of your progress if you have questions most of these guys here will answer in short order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Balsa is generally all I use a through wire for. Now keep in mind I'm fishing for bass. Fish like pike and muskies might still need a wire through. Basswood is strong enough that you can use either eye screws or make you own twisted wire line ties and hook hangers. I use the latter as I don't like the larger diameter of the eye screws on bass sized lures. My preference for wood baits is Paulownia. It's lighter than basswood and still strong enough to use the twisted wire hangers and ties. It's a little heavier than balsa, but still lite enough to give you good deflection off of hard objects and it is highly buoyant so it can float up out of gnarly stuff. hope this helps, Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Griffond, It's always fun to see how other people skin a cat. Thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aydensdad82 Posted October 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 My lures will also be for bass. I have not seen or heard of Paulownia before. I will have to grab some pieces. I am glad I watched those videos, I have a much better understanding of how to use the through wire. I literally though everyone was drilling a hole through the body and running the through wire from front to back. This thread is helping me a lot guys, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
