Crankbait making questions

[dan82205]

Hey i was just wondering what wood everyone would recommend using for crankbait making? I usually use what ever i have a round whick is usually pine. Sure there is something better i shoud be using. Oh and what kind of paint do you use i usually just used regular spray paint. Here is a pic of the las three i've made. ;D

Thanks

Dan

[BIG M]

good looking baits there.   My fav wood is balsa but I use cedar also.

As for paint I use taxidermy airbrush paint.

[dan82205]

And do you guys use the screw in eyes for your baits or how do you do it? And what do you make your lips from? I've been makeing these here and there for a couple years but just tought myself so never really talked to anyone else about how they do it. So any tips would be great.

Thanks

Dan

[BIG M]

I would not advise screw eyes in balsa wood.  I twist my own from 20ga ss wire and drill a small hole and epoxy in.

I make lips from 1/16 lexan or 1/32 circut board.

You are way ahead of the game without any help.

[jrhennecke]

Those are great looking baits.  You did a great job teaching yourself.

[dan82205]

yeah never used balsa wood usually pine but think im going to try ceder now. so just epoxying in the twisted wire holds pretty good? Maybe i should start trying that. Thanks for the compliments.

Dan

[dan82205]

whats ss wire stainless steel??

Thanks Dan

[Munkin]

Look good!

Balsa is about the softest wood I have ever seen and honestly could be carved with a dull butter knife literally. Big M who posted earlier makes cranks and could give you info on where to best buy the right balsa. Myself I always seem to end up carving my finger so me wood widdling is at a minimum :-[. For the wire I picked up some 19 guage wire form Wal-Mart and wrapped it around an old nail to make hook hangers. Wrap the wire around the nial, etc. counterclockwise that way when you go to screw it into the hole you drilled then epoxied it does not come unwrapped.

Allen

[dan82205]

That doesn't sound too rough and it holds good too?

[BIG M]

Once you've twisted a few of them, it's real easy.  You cannot pull those out of a blasa bait without tearing the bait apart.

[dan82205]

perfect