DingerBaits Posted February 1, 2018 Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 What is your preference for when to seal your baits? before hardware is installed? after hardware is installed? after most hardware is installed, but before big holes are drilled for ballast/hook hangers? Just wondering, I had one cedar crank rip along part of the grain due to the drill bit used when drilling the ballast hole before the bait was sealed. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglinarcher Posted February 1, 2018 Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 I don't use wood much anymore, but, when I do (sounds like a beer commercial doesn't it LOL), I seal the wood after the hardware, ballast, etc., is attached. I also use a Forstner bit to drill. I seem to have much less trouble with it splitting wood, and I get a flatter bottom to my hole. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodieb8 Posted February 1, 2018 Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 wire thru we wire install ballast/hook hangars. warm the bait and apply etex. .when dry scuff and primer.....todays build and seal is tommorows primer. 3 days before hooked and water tested. patience is the key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted February 1, 2018 Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 I install all hardware except the lip before sealing. I mark a center line all around the bait to locate the hardware while the bait is still “square” and drill the holes before I begin rounding over and sanding the bait. So if I sealed the bait before installing the hardware, I would be fouling the drilled holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted February 2, 2018 Report Share Posted February 2, 2018 Use same method as BobP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benton B Posted February 2, 2018 Report Share Posted February 2, 2018 I install the hardware before sealing. 1 coat super glue to harden the wood, 1 coat epoxy to seal the wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DingerBaits Posted February 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2018 Does anyone change how they are sealing it depending on what wood they are using? I am using Redwood and Red Cedar. Not sure if i want to jump on the balsa chain yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravenlures Posted February 2, 2018 Report Share Posted February 2, 2018 I used Red Cedar at one time but the grain drove me nuts, I see you are in WI I am in the northeast part. I did purchase my wood from Menards, but now when I use wood I buy from local saw mill White Cedar better for lures and less grain problems. I now make mine out of plastic, more consistent from lure to lure. With cedar I did not worry about sealing just a good primer. I will be at the Musky show next week. If you go stop by at the Raven Lures Booth. Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted February 2, 2018 Report Share Posted February 2, 2018 My concern would be that the oil in the wood may eventually migrate into and discolor the paint unless an effective barrier sealer is used on the raw wood. I don’t use either so can’t really say if this is a factual or fictional problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DingerBaits Posted February 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2018 3 minutes ago, ravenlures said: I used Red Cedar at one time but the grain drove me nuts, I see you are in WI I am in the northeast part. I did purchase my wood from Menards, but now when I use wood I buy from local saw mill White Cedar better for lures and less grain problems. I now make mine out of plastic, more consistent from lure to lure. With cedar I did not worry about sealing just a good primer. I will be at the Musky show next week. If you go stop by at the Raven Lures Booth. Wayne So you will be in Milwaukee next week? Say hi to my friend Jeff over at Rhino Tackle. I wont be at that one, but I may go to the one in Rothschild. I am in Wausau area. I do now have a source for Redwood that I am pretty pumped about. Currently just working on cranks, have some Resin stuff i am working on for musky/pike/monster bass. So you are saying White cedar has a better grain for it than the Red cedar. I did have some issues with drilling holes near the edge with the red cedar. but it may have been because I routered the edges before drilling the ballast hole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravenlures Posted February 2, 2018 Report Share Posted February 2, 2018 Before I router any lure I drill my holes and fill with the ballast and epoxy over that then I router looks better. Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DingerBaits Posted February 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2018 So youre talking for bigger baits onthat. I have belly hangers with the ballast attached to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravenlures Posted February 7, 2018 Report Share Posted February 7, 2018 Yes Musky size oopps! Wayne 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleT Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 I make some musky baits out of red cedar. I have never used etex to seal them. After reading up on it some I think I am ready to give a try. Do most folks cut it with denatured alcohol or is it ok to seal with straight etex. I realize that the cut etex would likely get deeper into the wood but just curious if people did it both ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 6 minutes ago, DoubleT said: I make some musky baits out of red cedar. I have never used etex to seal them. After reading up on it some I think I am ready to give a try. Do most folks cut it with denatured alcohol or is it ok to seal with straight etex. I realize that the cut etex would likely get deeper into the wood but just curious if people did it both ways. If you cut the Etex with denatured alcohol, be sure the two parts of the epoxy are really well mixed before you add the denatured alcohol, or the alcohol will bond to any unmixed epoxy components, and your epoxy will stay tacky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleT Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 Just now, mark poulson said: If you cut the Etex with denatured alcohol, be sure the two parts of the epoxy are really well mixed before you add the denatured alcohol, or the alcohol will bond to any unmixed epoxy components, and your epoxy will stay tacky. Thanks Mark. I will definitely do that. I've read also that the wood can be warmed to draw in the epoxy deeper. Is this step that crucial? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 3 minutes ago, DoubleT said: Thanks Mark. I will definitely do that. I've read also that the wood can be warmed to draw in the epoxy deeper. Is this step that crucial? I've never tried that, so I have no clue if it helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleT Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 1 minute ago, mark poulson said: I've never tried that, so I have no clue if it helps. ok. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
