trkyhunter Posted September 11, 2015 Report Share Posted September 11, 2015 Hello I am new to lure making at this level. I wanted a small hardbait for ice fishing and am learning quite quickly smaller is harder. I successfully made a model then a mold and finally a finished bait. Now to try my hand at airbrushing. Trying to make stencils that small with detail is going to test me. Is using a Dremel and a small carving bit my easiest way to cut the stencil? Maybe a pointed bit for lines? Any help and suggestions is appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted September 11, 2015 Report Share Posted September 11, 2015 For me, the stencil material and how easily it can be cut is the critical thing. I use "frisket material", sold at art shops and online by airbrush suppliers. It's a thin soft plastic sheet backed with adhesive and a paper backing. It's advantage is it can be cut with an Xacto knife easily and accurately. Instead of peeling the paper backing off and sticking the frisket onto the lure (which can pull paint off the lure when it is removed), I leave the backing on the frisket and simply hold it against the lure. That way, I can reverse the stencil to do the opposite side of the lure and don't have to make stencils for both sides. It also lets me re-use the stencils for future baits. I think I paid around $10 for a roll of frisket material online from Dixie Art and Airbrush Supplies in New Orleans. That's a lifetime supply. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted September 12, 2015 Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 Dremel is a good tool to do this with and the bits you have stated. A exacto knife is another, however the knife has a tendency to slice to far some times because of putting to much pressure to the knife. Very light sand paper or a fingernail file is good for clean up. I'm sure there are many other tools that can be used. Be creative in your tools that you need to make a design. I bought what I'll call micro files to touch up the details of a cut in the stencil. Good luck; Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted September 12, 2015 Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 One other item that I think is very helpful, even if it's not for cutting a stencil is a magnifying lamp. Dale 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trkyhunter Posted September 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 (edited) Thank you for the ideas. Seems the older I get the smaller they print and make things Dale, lol. All kidding aside this seems like a nice group. Thanks for the help. Edited September 12, 2015 by trkyhunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted September 12, 2015 Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 Yep, either now or in the future type looks smaller then it did in the past.I like leaving little details now and again on a baits paint job. They are hard to see at times when you are cutting a stencil out. I have one more for you, if you have a blank that just doesn't fit your fancy use it as a backing when using a knife or etc. If these baits are really small, pin them down for safety sake. The blank will give some resistance to the knife. Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
