F&R Posted December 29, 2017 Report Share Posted December 29, 2017 I’m having trouble cutting lip slots accurately in round body balsa blanks. I’ve tried several methods but get them perfectly square and straight only occasionally. How do you do it consistently? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted December 29, 2017 Report Share Posted December 29, 2017 Typically I cut lip slots in baits prior to shaping. Much easier to cut the slot with the rectangular/square stock. That being said after a few lures I can pretty accurately eye ball so only a minimum amount of alteration is needed (few passes with sand paper). You can also make a jig to hold the round bait so it is consistently registered correctly and make your cuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglinarcher Posted December 29, 2017 Report Share Posted December 29, 2017 Or....... some of us are so bad at it that I just overcut it, then fill the extra with epoxy and eyeball it in place. LOL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodieb8 Posted December 29, 2017 Report Share Posted December 29, 2017 as travis stated. while its in block shape here we run the blank stock thru table saw. .I imagine your doing small cranks. once again as stated, make a small jig up. .lip slots the most critical part of making baits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F&R Posted December 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2017 Thanks you guys. I do cut the slots when the piece is still flat if I’m making it from scratch. I have the problem when I use purchased round body blanks. I’ll have to give some thought to designing a jig that will hold the bait in perfect position for either drawing a cut line around the body or for holding it stationary while cuttting the slot. If anyone has a photo of such a jig that would be a big help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted December 29, 2017 Report Share Posted December 29, 2017 I use a thick flat rubber band stretched over the head of the bait. I stretch and position it so it looks symmetrical then mark the slot with a Sharpie and cut it with a thin fiber reinforced Dremel cutoff disk. A jig and table saw would be better but I use different lip angles and don’t have a table saw. The rubber band comes with grocery store celery stalks. Lip slots are the bane of pre-formed balsa blanks but it’s hard to form very small balsa baits from blocks of balsa if you do everything by hand. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hiro Posted December 30, 2017 Report Share Posted December 30, 2017 I do it like this with a hand saw, a vise and 4 pieces of hard wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gliders Posted December 31, 2017 Report Share Posted December 31, 2017 One you might want a look at - Search pondbuster lip cutting machine on youtube, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted December 31, 2017 Report Share Posted December 31, 2017 29 minutes ago, gliders said: One you might want a look at - Search pondbuster lip cutting machine on youtube, I can't find it. Can you add a link? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodieb8 Posted December 31, 2017 Report Share Posted December 31, 2017 its on youtube. cant see why he paints lure before cutting the lipslot though..very engenius jig setup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gliders Posted December 31, 2017 Report Share Posted December 31, 2017 Pondbuster custom balsa crankbait bill slot jig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted December 31, 2017 Report Share Posted December 31, 2017 4 minutes ago, gliders said: Pondbuster custom balsa crankbait bill slot jig Found it. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gliders Posted December 31, 2017 Report Share Posted December 31, 2017 I made a sled and jig for cutting slots in large crank blanks in the square. With flat sided cranks you can cut slot on shaped lure if needed. One advantage of cutting on finished lure is perfect clean finish around slot with no unsightly buildup of multiple epoxy coats around slot . I also planned on using my jig to do this on big jake type lures, just finished making a batch for someone and didn't want to risk it though ! Will be trying it with a few completed lures next batch to see how it goes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F&R Posted December 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2017 Bob I like the rubber band technique for marking the slot line with a sharpie. I’ll try that. I’ve been using a thin piece of cardboard wrapped around the bait to get the same effect but it’s hard to get it positioned and hold it in place and then mark the line. Like you I make different sizes and styles of baits. Making a jig or fixture for such a variety would be difficult. I’m a little worried about using the Dremel and abrasive disc. One false slip and I’d ruin the slot. I’ve been using two fine tooth hack saw blades epoxied together and cut to 6” long. It’s a bit slower that way but it makes a nice slot, usually one pass. Thanks to all of you again for sharing your ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted January 1, 2018 Report Share Posted January 1, 2018 I use a scroll saw to cut blanks. Pretty slow work on hardwood but it’s fine on balsa. After all, I’m in no hurry. A standard 12 Tpi scroll blade has the perfect kerf for a 1/32” circuit board lip and it’s easy to double cut the slot for 1/16” polycarbonate. But the Dremel does OK on pre-formed balsa blanks and if there’s a goof, I can use epoxy putty to mount the lip. Putty also works great if you have to replace an existing broken lip or if you want to change the lip angle. Just pack it in, smooth it out and cut a new lip slot in a few minutes. No, it’s not as clean and neat as a table saw with a proper custom jig. IF you have a saw and build enough baits of a single design to warrant the trouble of making the jig, that’s a no-brained. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted January 1, 2018 Report Share Posted January 1, 2018 Any normal saws one has will cut equally well lip slots if set up properly and optimal blade choice. I typically use a band saw as find it about as quick as any of them and can comfortably cut slots with out a jig safely. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gliders Posted January 1, 2018 Report Share Posted January 1, 2018 Sorry, I tend to think in terms of big pike size lures ! the few smaller minnow sized ones I make I use a bandsaw. ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
