BanjoKat Posted March 3, 2007 Report Share Posted March 3, 2007 Here's the deal. I'm trying to put split rings on my casting spoons and I keep scratching my cool paint job:mad:. The split ring tool that I am using is the Premium split ring pliers that Barlows sells: http://www.barlowstackle.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=6&Product_ID=2224&CATID=115. I'm thinking that maybe it isn't opening the ring enough, but when I get the ring on it doesn't close up tightly if you know what I mean. Is there a magic trick to this? I'm using a #5 heavy split ring on 2 7/8 casting spoon. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoop10 Posted March 3, 2007 Report Share Posted March 3, 2007 don't know that I can help regarding the paint scratching. stainless steel rings don't close back as well as nickel. I suspect you have SS rings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BanjoKat Posted March 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2007 Yep. I'm using stainless steel rings. I guess I can deal with the gap, I really can't handle the scratching of the paint though. Anyone have a trick to this or suggest a better split ring tool? Something? Anything? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbkindle Posted March 3, 2007 Report Share Posted March 3, 2007 kbhere i take a large saftey pin open it up and stick the point in where split ring end or starts push pin down the saftey pin is tapered and will open split ring up real easy kb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cartrpill Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 Don't stab yourself with something sharp trying to work with split rings! Could you put a piece of tape over the hole on the painted side, and once you get the ring on pull the tape off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snooterfish Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 cartrpill thats sounds simple enough to me, i have been having the same trouble. richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BanjoKat Posted March 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 Could you put a piece of tape over the hole on the painted side, and once you get the ring on pull the tape off? I had tried the tape but the split ring sliding across the tape still transferred to the paint. The split rings would also gouge the paint through the tape when I slid the last part through. I also cut a small piece of plastic to cover the end of the spoon to try and protect it but it was really awkward and tedious. I didn't end up with good results either. How does that company with the red and white spoons do it..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cartrpill Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 If the hole on the spoon is as far away from the edge as the material is thick, open the split ring and put it through the hole standing up. By the sound of it you are putting the split ring on laying parallel to the spoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BanjoKat Posted March 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2007 O.K. I getting better at getting the split rings on. Four layers of tape is proving to be helpful. I've been looking for nickel split rings. I have found nickel plated steel and nickel plated brass. What do you suggest and do you have a source to suggest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted March 11, 2007 Report Share Posted March 11, 2007 The best thing I ever did for split ring work was to buy a good pair of split ring pliers. By good I mean NOT the cheap aluminum ones. Forged steel pliers from Texas Tackle or another quality manufacturer. If you fish or build baits, you may as well buy some. They'll save countless hours, broken fingernails and a bunch of bent split rings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clemmy Posted March 11, 2007 Report Share Posted March 11, 2007 Well, the Texas Tackle pliers are by far the best I've used... But how about looking at it from a different angle? How about painting AFTER you've installed the rings...Or leave the very tip unpainted (perhaps masking with tape) so there's no paint right there to scrape? Clemmy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuningGuru Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Hi Banjo Kat ever thought of soldering a small solid ring onto your spoons insted of using split rings just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BanjoKat Posted March 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 I keep looking at the Texas split ring pliers. I contacted the company too. They wanted me to ship them samples of what I'm working with. Hmm..... I did try the "don't paint the tips" method then after I put the split rings on I did some touch up with the paint. It stood out too much, obvious that I had done a touch up, for my taste. I even made my own split ring pliers out of a needle nose. It helped spread the ring pretty good, but then the gap that remained in the ring was just plain embarrassing. I think next I'd like to try some lighter gage rings like scoop10 mentioned. I just have to find some nickel rings... TuningGuru: That's an idea to ponder. I was thinking about doing something like that to make my own weedless spoons. The premade blanks from tackle supply stores are a bit spendy. Thanks for all the tips! The people here sure are helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
