Navin_R_Johnson Posted February 6, 2020 Report Share Posted February 6, 2020 Seems ballast topics are the rage this week, so I'll add another. Anyone tried adding ballast to hollow molded blanks? I recently received some 3" square bills (look identical to wLure model) and they shoot up like a cork in a bucket test. Would be nice if I could add a bit of weight to slow it or even suspend just below surface. My first though was to drill a small hole and add some sort of fluid to displace some air but, maybe one of you has a better trick up your sleeve? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted February 6, 2020 Report Share Posted February 6, 2020 Drill a small hole add lead shot and tape over hole and check for rate of rise/sink. Keep going till you get it where you want then superglue in a plug (bamboo skewer) and then sand flush. You should do this weighting with hooks, split rings, etc.. and personally I would do it with a bait I had completed first (paint and topcoat). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted February 6, 2020 Report Share Posted February 6, 2020 (edited) You can find the volume of the lure (with hooks attached), the method is outlined here. Write down the number. Weigh the lure in grams (always use grams for everything for density calculations), write the number down. 1cm³ of water weighs 1gram. So, the volume number is also how many grams that the lure needs to weigh to be neutral. Volume - weight = ballast to be added in grams. Personally, I would find some small ball bearings or lead and drill a hole. Easy enough to patch up, as Travis outlined. Dave Edited February 6, 2020 by Vodkaman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navin_R_Johnson Posted February 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2020 Thanks for the input. I have already added external weights to a finished lure to know how much and where I need the weight. My problem with shot would be how to keep it in place in the hollow body for balance. Any tricks on how to glue it in place though a 2mm hole? I need to add just under 0.2oz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted February 7, 2020 Report Share Posted February 7, 2020 Inject some runny CA (super) glue. Hold the lure so that the ballast is in the right position. The glue will flow to the same position. Clamp and wait to solidify. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
