siebler_custom_baits Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 IM about to turn a gaff on the lathe to be used on my kayak in the saltwater. I am looking for a good wood to use. I plan on staining (unless wood is dark) and sealing with flexcoat . Basically wood needs to be fairly hard so the hook doesnt pull and i dont loose any fish. thanks, ill post results when im done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JIGMAKER Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 I wrapped my hook with stainless steel cable and epoxied over it to seal it in. Hardwood is the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Splash Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 Hickory or ash are good choices for turning a handle. I use a cedar sapling without turning it (or if looks aren't important- the handle from a laminated hockey stick). Turning down an old baseball bat might work too.( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black label plugs Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 skip all that and get a piece of bamboo.drill a hole in the end insert the gaff hook. wrap with 1/4'' rope tie it off cover with epoxy. shelic the length of the bamboo. it will last forever. just reply shelic every year. i have had mine for 6 years with no problem.the bamboo for the gaff comes in 16' lengths so you can make more than one.good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mylures Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 Hey Sieb, how big a gaff are you making and for how big a fish?? The reason I ask is if its for strength I would use ash or maple. I used to make floating gaff hooks by using cedar. That way if you dropped it the gaffhook would float. These were used for sturgeon spearing in the winter and the fish could be anywhere from 30-180 pounds so I used heavy SS and it took a big handle to keep it floatable. Hope this helps. Ken Schmitz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siebler_custom_baits Posted February 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 gaff hook has 4" gap and i want a 24-30" handel that is max of 1.5" diameter so it fits in the holder. Average fish it will be used for is 20-30 lbs but often larger. Looks are very important, i want something nobody else has and thats why i sold my other gaff and am making one. Everybody has bamboo or metal here and i will be turning something dark and then turn a matching club. Really this is all about looks, if i cant have the best kayak in san diego ill have the icest gaff! Think maybe ill try the hard maple i have left from my chumped up first attempt at making a banjo (the new attempt is almost done ) but cedar might be nice. I will be using a flexcoat finish on whatever wood i decide, Guess ill be wood shopping today! Thanks all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheesehead Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 Here is an idea for your gaff handle Sieb. http://www.classiccustomwood.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siebler_custom_baits Posted February 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 sweet ill check that out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overkill Posted February 28, 2005 Report Share Posted February 28, 2005 Why not try teak? no saltwater problems and has a nice color. Or Walnut if you want a real nice dark color. I wouldn't use flex coat, If it cracks and any water gets in it will cloud and could cause the wood to expand. I would soak it in linseed oil, then use a deck sealant. Then maybe a nice rubbed tung oil finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siebler_custom_baits Posted February 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2005 Why is wood so hard to find in socal! Everything ive found is 1xsomething and i need it to be like 2x something atleast so i can cut to size. Dont wanna laminate. If i can find any of the woods you sujested overkill ill jump on it cause i agree however that is IF i can find them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheesehead Posted February 28, 2005 Report Share Posted February 28, 2005 Sieb, go ahead and laminate... it will be stronger and less likely to warp on you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siebler_custom_baits Posted February 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2005 ill see what i can get tommorow, maybe there are enough chumped up banjo necks left but they are only 22" and i wanna make handle 32 so might have to buy stock anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overkill Posted March 1, 2005 Report Share Posted March 1, 2005 My dad has some rough sawn Walnut that is 2 inches thich I believe. If you want I will check it out and send some to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siebler_custom_baits Posted March 1, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2005 Overkill that would be friggin awsome. Basically it has to be min of 2x2x~32. Give me a price and i can send money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siebler_custom_baits Posted March 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2005 Well i got my gaff turned (Thank you Overkill!) and now ill wrap and such then try to get pics (broke my camera ). Overkill you sent enough of that wood that in a few weeks im gonna start a banjo outa it too so i may be contacting you to Buy some more wood from the same tree if possible (need enough to glue up a pot and have some for the head and maybe a resinator). Thanskf or all the help yall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overkill Posted March 18, 2005 Report Share Posted March 18, 2005 let me know how much you need because my father has it listed in the classified section this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siebler_custom_baits Posted March 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2005 Shoot, i wont gt to look at actual sizes for a few weeks but i need probly a sqaur foot of 1" thick and for the pot in really not sure. The finished pot id 2 1/8" wide and 11" dia. Basically for pot the size you sent me before would probly due but it doesnt have to be nearly as thick. So basically for the head i need like 12x12 of like 1" thick (workable material size, also if that isnt availible in the 12"x12" i can alwats do glueup on the smaller pieces. For pot maybe a nice board like before maybe not so thick and preferably in good shap and not a lot of weathering. Shoot me a price with shipping and all, shipping doesnt have to be fast or anything and ups is probly cheapest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenarrow Posted April 16, 2005 Report Share Posted April 16, 2005 post the picts already! I want to do the same if i can get my dad to un bury his lathe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
