How in the heck..

[Amador]

do you powder dip your jig heads without plugging the hook eye? I tried poking it with a toothpick, but then it made a sharp edge. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[siebler_custom_baits]

for some reason i never had that problem. Guess i kept the flame away from the eye and it didnt get too hot.

[Richoc]

Use a forceps to hold he jig by the the eyelet.

This will stop any powder from plugging up the eye.

A little in the eye is not to bad.

Some times it will open during the baking.

If filled it will be rock hard.

To avoid this you must clear /open the eye before baking to cure the powder paint.

Not to hard to do before curring.

[mhurocy34]

I have just started jig making, and really enjoy it. I had the problem also with powdercoating the weedguard hole plugging shut. I'm still experimenting with a few ideas to fix it, so far, a q-tip seems to work great, just remove enough cotton to fill the hole, and jab it in there before baking in the oven, (350 at 15 minutes), that will be sufficient. ALSO>>> before you do this, dip the q-tip in baby oil, or vaseline, this will reduce it burning, or getting crispy in the oven, this does work, and it makes the wife happy (g). Also, don't use the plastic ones, the cheap paper ones will work great.

I'm very new to this board, and haven't read all the posts, but if you powder coat, and it turns out POOR, soak the lure in M.E.K. (Methyl Ethyl Keytone), if you are not familliar with this, it will eat the paint off of ANYTHING!!!! it runs about 15.00 for a 2 gallon can at the local hardware store, and a little goes a long way, it evaporates quickly, and it is absorbed quickly into your skin, so use skin, and eye protection when using this stuff.

MEK is strong fume wise, so use it outdoors, don't smoke, keep this stuff away from flames, children, cars, family pets, and any ignition source, it is DANGEROUS. Have plenty of airflow around it. I did a lot of industrial painting in the past, and this stuff is awsome for metal, lead, whatever except wood preparation. If you use this on wood, the paint will never adhere to it.

However, if you already attached any rubber or plastic dressings to the jig such as weedguards, the MEK will disolve the rubber, however, it works great for powder coat, and vinyl paint removal, just drop the jig, and stir it a bit. I actually wipe down all the lead jigs in this before I even paint them, the paint adheres better, and the powdercoating as well.

Anyways, thanks for the welcome, and hope to have some custom work on the photo gallery soon.

Miklos

[dlaery]

Something to strive for to reduce filled eyelets is less heat and less dip time. Having the power loose helps also. I have a fluid bed and a single dip powder cup. I can't get the single dip to work. Its too dusty and dosen't flow and low air pressure.

I use the fluid bed and the smallest hook I use is a Mustad 32786BLN 1/0. If I hold my mouth right, I can paint these without filling the eyes and the key is temp, dip time and how much air I have in my powder.