Tallbald Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 Evening to all. New here and hope my interests and questions will be welcome. First, I'm a wood turner. For years I made and sold turned wood and metal wire sculptures that were sold through some regional art galleries, which helped supplement my income earned as a factory tool and die maker. I often accentuated my wood turnings with acrylic paints drawing attention to natural faults in the rescued woods I used. I liked the faults, likening them to human shortcomings, my own included. Anyway. I have retired now because of injury to my spine, and am actively exploring new forms of wood art I can enjoy creating. I have from childhood been fascinated by fishing lures, and considered them artwork themselves. I don't get to fish much any more because of physical limitations. But I still love lures. I have always wanted to turn, paint and display large, oversize lures like I used to see as a child in the sporting goods store serving as advertisements. I have made a few and given them as gifts, making my own "diving lips" from flat stock aluminum and stainless steel dime store table spoons, and formed my own "hooks" from 1/8 inch mild steel rod brazed together. I've cheated and used hardware store screw eyes at times too. Painting was done with acrylic craft paints and artists brushes, with clearcoat polyurethane topcoat. From years ago, I have a Pasche VL airbrush and a Harbor Freight diaphragm-type airbrush compressor (I now know I could have chosen a different style unit though), which unfortunately I never did learn to use. I've added learning airbrush techniques to my bucket list. I hope my rather unusual interest is not so out of kilter as to be unwelcome here. I want to use the same skills and techniques used to create true fishing lures, just on a larger, representative scale. I'll try to avoid unnecessary postings folks, but the skill set shown here is one I would greatly appreciate being allowed to tap into. Thanks for your time, Don. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedyarb Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 Welcome to the forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 Welcome to TU Tallbald. Like you I had to quit working due to multiple injuries to my spine over the years. And like you I don't get to fish that much anymore. Learning to build lures has helped fill some of that void left from not being as active as I once was. You won't be the first person who takes this skill set in a different direction. We have several members who are excellent wood carvers and some of them even build the large lures like those used for advertising. There are also several painters here who paint strictly with brushes who do excellent work. With your skill set and obvious interest I don't think you'll have any trouble at all fitting in around here. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tallbald Posted October 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 (edited) Wow. Thank you for the welcomes! To learn that I'm not viewed as being disrespectful to the art by wanting to make oversize representative lures is wonderful. As to my having no airbrushing skills, I have been studying a number of Youtube videos. Unfortunately, many I have watched have little good to say about the equipment I have on hand. Now that I'm forcefully retired I don't have the means to upgrade, but I view the limitations of my equipment as a call to learn to adapt.Within limits I was taught that the end product was the result of the willingness of the maker to overcome obstacles. I think I am skilled (having done much learning on my artwork) in contouring wood using my Delta 14 inch band saw and Grizzly 6x48 inch belt sander. I feel comfortable in my lathe skills also, and general wood/metalworking. I am excited at finding a potential new avenue as I understand you, RayburnGuy, did. I so loved fishing, particularly in farm ponds so overgrown you had to fight to find room to cast, and I will also plan to make some lures for myself to really use too (I hope). Well, thanks again. I tend to have diarrhea of the mouth when I become excited about new pursuits, so I want to spend time looking through past posts on the hardbait forum before asking too many questions that have already been addressed. Don Edited October 28, 2013 by Tallbald Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toadfrog Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 I would like to see any or all of your present work lure or not . Folkart is something I personally enjoy . It has a personallity and warmth to it that is not found in mass production . Welcome . Ithink you will be a great addition to the forum . May even want to pick your brain now and then because I tinker with a lot of stuff myself . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tallbald Posted October 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 (edited) Toadfrog when I finish the two I'm working on I shall try to post photos. I really hadn't thought of them as being of folkart quality, but they do compare I guess with what I've seen illustrated on a few folkart sites. I use repurposed materials such as poplar offcut pieces of kindling as sold at a local supermarket in bundles, wire clothes hangers, acrylic craft paints from Walmart, and old spoons, scrap aluminum sheeting from the scrapyard., and Thank you for the welcome. Don Edited October 28, 2013 by Tallbald Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djhaddix Posted October 29, 2013 Report Share Posted October 29, 2013 Don, Great to see another Kentucky guy on here. What part of the state do you live in, if you don't mind me asking? I live in Lexington currently, but grew up in Jackson, KY (Breathitt County). I'm in somewhat of the infancy in my luremaking right now as well, but have learned a TON of great stuff off of this forum, which has made the learning curve much sharper. My dad was a carpenter and still builds some furniture, so I guess working with wood is in my blood. My great-grandfather started our family's construction company, but it will end with my dad, as I chose to pursue another profession. Anyway, I am sure we have fished much of the same water. Best of luck to you in your pursuit, it's quite an addiction, but is also very rewarding, and it appears you have already reaped the benefits from making something with your hands for others (although sometimes the ones you make for yourself bring you as much or more satisfaction). I won't have a lot of answers, but feel free to message me and I will help you in any way I can. I will go ahead and say ask anybody darn near anything on here and you will get a prompt and helpful response. I wish I could help you with lumber sourcing, but I am currently buying balsa and basswood from Hobby Lobby myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diemai Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 @ Tallbald Me too learned the profession of a tool and die maker , but working as a grinding machine operator since the end of my apprenticeship back in '82 . Sounds , like you've now found the right place to be with your passion for lures , shared by all of us in here , .......so ,.... welcome to the TackleUnderground , .......greetz , diemai Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhersh Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 (edited) Tallbald, I started painting with a Harbor Frieght $20 airbrush. I learned alot with that AB butit was still usefull learning. Your equipment will work fine to start but if you want to do alot of small detail you may want to upgrade to a better AB, and welcome to TU, this place is amazing with the guys that are here, I hope you enjoy your time on this forum. Royce Edited November 4, 2013 by rhersh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
