ACarrell Posted August 23, 2016 Report Share Posted August 23, 2016 (edited) So you finally convinced me ( without even knowing it !) to try using PVC for carving baits. I just started my first one today, and so far I'm really liking the properties a lot. It's extremely buoyant, so you can really control the weight on it very easily and effectively. Another thing is that I think it machines much easier than wood, due to being far more consistent of a material. Overall I'm very happy with it so far. Still have a little bit to go on this bait that I'm working on, but I will be sure to post finished pictures ! I can't wait to see what the action on the lure is like. Thanks, I hope you have a great day! And for anybody that's reading this, I would suggest giving it a try. It really seems to be a very nice material for making baits. Edited August 24, 2016 by ACarrell 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted August 24, 2016 Report Share Posted August 24, 2016 I found out about Azek PVC from JR Hopkins, so he's the one you should thank. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Young Posted August 25, 2016 Report Share Posted August 25, 2016 Don't be bashful, Mark. You da man! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrhopkins Posted August 25, 2016 Report Share Posted August 25, 2016 Mark deserves a lot of credit for posting the thread on PVC. at over 3000 views i'm sure there is a lot more interest in PVC then before. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACarrell Posted August 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2016 Well, thank you both 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRammit Posted August 25, 2016 Report Share Posted August 25, 2016 X2... Dealing with water, it only makes sense to use water proof materials....... Now if they only made PVC dowel rods for topwater baits 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Young Posted August 26, 2016 Report Share Posted August 26, 2016 PVC Poppers! Here I come! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyectcher Posted August 27, 2016 Report Share Posted August 27, 2016 Hi ACarroll do you use machines to carve those or do you carve by hand I'm really Intrested in giveing it a try but I don't really have a lot of wood working tool I have saws and routers but I'm not really good with them thanks AC Hi ACarroll do you use machines to carve those or do you carve by hand I'm really Intrested in giveing it a try but I don't really have a lot of wood working tool I have saws and routers but I'm not really good with them thanks AC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted August 27, 2016 Report Share Posted August 27, 2016 I'm not ACarroll and I'll let him/her answer his or her side of that question. But you don't need all types of high dollar tools. If you have a good hand saw for small pieces of wood, a good carving knife or files, sand paper, pliers, vise (helpful), paint cans from hardware store and a imagination. You will find that you may need other small tools that I didn't mention. A lot of us have the power tools that speeds up the process, but to me that doesn't mean nothing. The enjoyment is what matters and getting better each time I try. So....no you don't need high dollar tools to do this hobby. I just had mine because of what I have done in the past. Make it fun and take your time , Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted August 27, 2016 Report Share Posted August 27, 2016 Fingernail polish from the dollar store is a cheap, easy way to paint lures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACarrell Posted August 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2016 I used a scroll saw to cut out the rough shape of the body and lip, and then files and sandpaper for the rest . No reason you couldn't use plain old hand tools though...that's how they did it for s long time Also ...lure is done ...ill take pics and maybe do a small "test video" for it once I get home from my weekend shows ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrhopkins Posted August 27, 2016 Report Share Posted August 27, 2016 PVC board has a hard outer skin ( no more than 1/32") that i trim off using a tablesaw. that exposes the softer inner material that can be carved easily. if you don't have a tablesaw, glue some 60 grit paper onto a flat board and sand it off. then take some 80 or 100 grit to smooth it prior to carving. takes more time but that will work. you will be able to tell when the skin is removed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted August 27, 2016 Report Share Posted August 27, 2016 Solarfall makes some of the best looking baits I have locked an eyeball on and the only power tool I've ever seen him use in his videos is a jig saw for cutting out the basic profile of the bait. Everything else is done with hand tools. It's worth the time to take a look at some of his videos. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted August 28, 2016 Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 Doesn't matter what one you want to use. I use power tools to break down the pvc or wood to desired size as simply faster and gives great results when teamed up with jigs, fences, etc.... I use a band saw mainly but have used my table saw also. I use a band saw to cut out blanks then I stick to an assortment of knives and carve and sand PVC or will use some power carving stuff with a box fan/filter set up to help with the mess. If using hand tools I would really recommend buying good tools that perform well. You should also know how to sharpen your knives whether using the "scary sharp" sandpaper method, water stones or diamond stones, and strop/paste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRammit Posted August 28, 2016 Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 I got by for a long time with nothing more than a jigsaw and a dremel... Now I have a band saw and a drill press, that's it... I use a sanding drum on the drill press for shaping, and still use the dremel for the final touches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted August 28, 2016 Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 I use a band saw, and then do all but my final hand sanding with this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-Oscillating-Edge-Belt-Spindle-Sander-EB4424/100061671 My machine is 20+ years old, uses the same 4X24 belts as my hand held belt sander, and has a dust port in the back for a vacuum attachment. It removes the melted face from Azek quickly, as I am rough shaping my blanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACarrell Posted August 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 (edited) Here is the finished bait from the beginning of the thread. I need to water test it to check the action, but figured I would post some pictures of it. It is 5 1/4 inches long, sits in the water real nice, hopefully swims well and dives around 5 feet or so. I guess it's time to test it !!! Edited August 28, 2016 by ACarrell 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fshng2 Posted August 29, 2016 Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 Nice work, do you make the lip? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACarrell Posted August 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 Yes. I made the lip from lexan . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACarrell Posted August 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 Here is a quick video that has a few seconds of the lure swimming. Here is a quick video that has a few seconds of the lure swimming. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACarrell Posted August 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 (edited) I made another PVC crank bait yesterday. I'm really enjoying this material. Thanks for the suggestion, guys! Edited August 29, 2016 by ACarrell 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...