spoonpluggergino Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 I started making balsa muskie baits and I made a jig for the bait hangars and tow line. I was bending the wire with a pair of Knipex wire, the pliers are very good. My wire was not coming perfect due to taking wire out measure and than mark not perfect and a lot of timewasted. I like things smooth and easy, so I went to work and I came up with a very satisfactory system and very fast Material you need 1 3/8 x 4 inch long bolt and a nut 1 1/4 x 3 inch long bolt and a nut about a foot of 1/8 steel rod for the pins about a foot of 1/16 steel hard wire ( not soft ) for the pins A piece of hardwood by 3/4 thick mine is 3 inches by 12 inches by 3/4, depends on the bait size 1/8 drill bit and a 1/16 bitt A: drill the hole at the end of the bolt and on the edge of the bolt B: insert a piece of rod or pin or wire which ever one you are doing C: put a hacksaw blade right on the side of the pin or wire to guide the cut D: cut a slot about 1/16 deep just enough so a .051 thousand wire fits between the pin and the wall of the bolt, see drawing You can also use a Dremel, tool and smooth out with a file E: I made a knob kind of handle drilled a hole the same diameter of the bolts an secured with the nut The wood part Most of you guys most likely already have one, basically I traced my blank determined where I wanted the wire and the hangars drilled the holes for the pins to fit inside in order to keep the wire in place an bend the wire with my new handy dandy tools When I start bending the wire all the pins are out so they will not get in the way. I usually start by second belie hook and work my way around, I leave the pins in once the bend is made at that point the pins will not get in the way I have a series of pictures so you will get an idea how well the tool works and how I get the bait wire done Will be glad to answer any questions. Make your life easier Gino Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 This is very good. I used the same principle, making my tools out of brass. My tools worked in the horizontal, but doing as you did by turning the tool to the vertical, with a handle for torque, is a better solution. The pictures tell the whole story very clearly - good job. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoonpluggergino Posted February 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Thank You for the compliment Dave As Dave stated above you can make these tools out of brass bolts Gino Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBlaze Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 Gino, nice tool. Great for consistency and as Dave said, easily understood with the pics. Thanks for sharing. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimP Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 Real nice Gino. Going to make me one too. Thanks for the tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
