Tm Customs Posted August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 I am concidering buying a cheap mini lathe from harbor frieght. I am hoping to make bagley type lures BB mostly and other crankbaits. Is a lathe a good choice for making these or would it be easier to carve them? Is anyone making crankbaits on a lathe, because I think thunder shads are make on a lathe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redg8r Posted August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 Awesome Bait company uses a custom made machine to make thier bodies. A lathe will only give you symmetrical shapes, good for poppers, spooks & bodies of that flavor, if you want asymmetrical shapes like a diving crank, for now, you'll have to do some hand shaping. Theres nothing wrong with using a lathe to get a basic shape & then further shape the lure body by hand. The duplik8r (in the custom tools forum) was my attempt at making a machine similar in function to the custom machine that ABC & other manufacturers use. Get a lathe if you have the money, its a fun tool & not limited to wood bodies. Ive used mine to shape a dowell rod into a senko-type worms. then used the worms to make molds from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coley Posted August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 I suggest you get the Grizzly mini lathe. It has a cast iron bed and variable speed motor 0-4300 with the twist of a knob, and its on sale right now for $119. I have had mine for two years and have had no problems. Go here: http://www.grizzly.com/products/items-list.cfm?key=560000&gid=853B3712-181B-46AE-8B47-3BE19DC1A9C1&site=grizzly Coley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tm Customs Posted August 31, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 Coley, Do you make crankbaits on it? Can you post a pic? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coley Posted August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 I can't make cranks. I do make poppers, bombers, top water, my own designs and ballpoint pens. A few pictures attached. Coley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallard Posted August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 Avoid the mini lathe from Harbor Frieght. It is too cheaply made hold up, even to balsa. If you get a look at one out of the package you can take the side cover off and see how flimsy it really is. It has nylon gears and an under sized motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boatnik13 Posted September 1, 2004 Report Share Posted September 1, 2004 I like mallard's answer! Get to know the Item (its make -up) befor you buy. I agree also with the grizzlyBrand.They send parts in a hurry if needed. I have the grizzly mini lathe and its 2nd hand. bought it used for $50 and had to buy $30 of parts because I did not know how to shop around. The lathe was modifyed from the original version. Seams some one broke the plastic ( looks metal) housing with force(buckle) and re-made the part from wood.(the motor cover) Its better now then it ever could be from the original standpoint. use dowel rod not block wood on the mini lathe and its faster and less tooling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overkill Posted September 2, 2004 Report Share Posted September 2, 2004 Thunder shads are made on a machine much like the Duplik8ter that red was talking about. I bought a Harbor freight lathe and used it on balsa for a while, but it application in lure making is very limited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
