GEEMAN Posted February 14, 2006 Report Share Posted February 14, 2006 First off , THANKS ALL for the great info provided on this site. Though I've been pouring my own jigs for years , some of the tips I've learned here have increased the quality of my jigs BIG TIME over where it was just a year ago. I have ZERO experience pouring plastics and am wanting to get into pouring/dipping my own plastics. To be more specific , I am wanting to try my hand at making my own Crappie sized tubes. Long story short is I am unable to buy a style Crappie tube I used to due to the style being discontinued. In fact I think the site itself has gone belly up ? Anyhow , My first question is is there a difference between the plastic you would use to make 4" and bigger tubes vs the smaller Crappie tubes ? At present , I'm looking at making single color tubes ( if that makes a difference ? ) though multi colored ones may be in my future. Right now I think it's best if I get the feel for single colors and learning the basics first. From what I have read so far I'll be dipping with a hot plate/alum pan set up. Even though from what I've read the microwaze route seems to be the best way to go ? Again , I think I'll take my lumps learning the hot plate route first = learn the basics. I feel I have a good idea of materials ( rods ,wire ,thermometer etc. )I'll need to aquire for dipping so that should'nt be a problem .... I HOPE ! LOL I am looking to make 3 specific colors. The first is smoke ? ( a transparent black ? ) with a fine black,blue and silver flake in it. The second is clear with a fine holographic flake in it. The third is just the standard glow color. I don't plan on adding any scent or salt. In time maybe , but not right now. I would appreciate your advice as to what to and where I should order material wise. Plastic , colors , glitter , quantities etc. Also a recipe for the smoke color would be much appreciated. I don't make my stuff as a business or to save a buck. I just enjoy making and fishing with stuff I've made so won't be needing huge quantities of plastic etc. Thanks for your time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senkosam Posted February 14, 2006 Report Share Posted February 14, 2006 Dipping rod diameter should be smaller. Length makes no difference, just cut them shorter. Stove top heat or microwave - little difference - just don't burn the plastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAE73 Posted February 14, 2006 Report Share Posted February 14, 2006 I have made some of my own crappie tubes using 1/8" rod that I purchased from mcmaster carr. I would say to make smoke maybe 1 or 2 drops of lurecraft transparent black for every 2 onces of plastic. I purchased some of the lurecraft tube plastic and have now switched over to calhouns tube plastic. Lurecraft makes a tail spliter for the tails. I am curious to what brand of tubes you was using before. I prefered the midsouth jigs over the southern pro jigs. I only make the colors that I cant buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEEMAN Posted February 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2006 T , I am going to try to duplicate a tail called a Sword Tail. It's simular yet different than a Stinger tail in the Cabela's catalog. No cuts to be made on the tail save one diagonal one. It should'nt be too difficult to reproduce I would'nt think ? Famous last words eh ? LOL I don't recall the website off hand and used to order them by phone. Last order I placed 2 years ago I was told they were discontinuing the Crappie size so I stocked up then. I have 75-100 tails left but have been thinking of making them for myself for about a year now. I also want to make a size about 3" long/wider diameter than the Crappie size for Walleyes. The Swordtail is a great little multi species tube. If it were regular Crappie tubes I was after I would'nt even bother trying to make them as buying them would be way cheaper. Since they are'nt made anymore ( that I know of ) I want to try my hand at making them for myself and a couple fishin buddies. I have the right diameter rod to use to dip them. I also have a jig design in mind for the dipping ceramonies and will cobble that together one of these days. All I really need now is some plastic , color ,glitter a little luck and lots of patience and I should be all set to start making a mess in the basement. LOL Thanks for the input all ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAE73 Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 By the way you descripe the jig, it sounds the what one bait shop calls "slab seekers". 2-3" long with a long tappered cut from one side to the other giving it point on one side. I have yet to buy any mostly becuase of the price, like 5 for 3 bucks if i remember right. They should be pretty easy to make, by dipping. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAE73 Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 Sorry they call them slab hunters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbor Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 But at $3 for a hundered is it worth your time and eyes and back to make them??? Can you by hand in one hour get set up heat dip and cool 100 tubes then cut all the tales. If you can then you just got a $2-5 dollar an hour new job, waahoo!!! we are all rich!!! Lil hustler maks well over 100 colored tubes $3.16 for 100 and $21 for 1000 that is .02 and .o3 cents a piece http://drifterfishingsupplies.netstorekeeper.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAE73 Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 Yes I know its cheaper to buy them, I also think southern pro jigs flat suck. They are so super thin at the head, if you use a ball lead head with a keeper hook you might be lucky to get 5 fish before its all ripped and will not stay on the hook. I only make what I cant buy, and those that I do buy come from midsouth tackle. Alot more quality jig in my opinion. Also no one makes what Geeman is looking for. So to each is own... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEEMAN Posted February 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2006 I ran across a small jar of plastisol I had forgotten I even had yesterday aft. Figured what the heck and tried my hand at dipping a few tubes last night. I was expecting the worst but considering it was my first attempt I was relatively pleased with how the whole process went. I had a few problems with bubbles , timing , coloring and a few other things but have found solutions on the board here to try and actualy solved a few myself through observations I made during the whole process. I used 1/8" brass rod cut in about 5" lengths for dipping horizontaly. I bent about an inch of the ends of each rod to about 45 degrees ( not quite a J shape )to hang on my drying racks. I have drying racks for when I tie bucktails/paint jigs that I made out of 6" mesh used to reenforce concrete sidewalks. Two squares wide by 3 squares tall with the two vertical sides cut off works pretty slick. Easy to store and you can make them any size you want. Anyways , I am relatively pleased with how things went and am looking forward to my next try. Unfortunately , I'll have to wait unitl I can rig up a vent fan/fans or can move the operation to the garage. The better half was'nt just too happy with the smoke/smells generated in the basement. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
