Hook hangers

[Fishwhittler]

I have several questions. (1) Does anyone use Pliobond to glue twisted wire hook hangers in place? I have never used this method before and I'm not sure if pliobond will hold. (2) Where do you get the lexan sheets for making crankbait bills? I have always made my own metal diving bills, which work well, but I would like to try using plastic bills. (3) Where is a good (a.k.a. cheap) place to buy treble hooks? I'm nearly out of hooks (and I'm a real cheapskate!!). I would really appreciate any feedback you can give me!

[whittler]

1.  Use epoxy for your hardware.

2.  McMaster Carr sells Lexan, also check your local glass shops sometimes they have scrap pieces which you can get real cheap or for free.

3.  Dr. Hooks

[.dsaavedra.]

low price hooks are great and all, but don't sacrfice quality for cost!

[Fishwhittler]

Thanks for the answers! Just a few more questions...

Will the five-minute epoxy from Jann's netcraft or Barlow's work? Or is the 24-hour epoxy a better choice?

I think I'll stick with metal bills for now. It's cheaper, more durable, and the fish don't seem to care! ;D

Is "captain hooks warehouse" the right website?

[.dsaavedra.]

i would stick with the 24 hour (2 ton) epoxy.

it doesn't really hold you back that much, because its not like you have to wait 24 hours to handle the bait. you can handle the bait and continue working after 2-3 hours.

[Fishwhittler]

Is the Flex Coat rod builders epoxy a good choice? :-/

[.dsaavedra.]

i've never used it, but from what i've read about it, that stuff is more of a clear coat than a strong epoxy used for holding stuff.

i would just go to the hardware store, pick up a tube of devcon 2 ton epoxy and use that. you can also use devcon for clear coats, but if you have flexcoat, i'd use that. i think it is Big M that uses that as a clear coat and he says its very nice and doesn't yellow over time like devcon sometimes does.

[whittler]

I apologize for the confusion fishwhittler, its Capt. Hooks not Dr. Hooks

[ernel]

Flex Coat comes in different product lines. One line is used for finishing wraps. This is the one that Marty is using as a top coat.

The other is the Rod builders epoxy. This is the product that is used to glue components together during the rod build. Marty was at one time using this as his sealing coat prior to painting his lures. It's primary purpose is to glue, and holds up very well for the purpose of holding reel seats and cork to the blank. I have had to redo a grip that I put on with Devcon that failed after less than 3 months use. The Flex Coat is more flexible than the D2T and is holding up very well. It would probably hold well for use on hook hangers as well.

With all that being said, I have used Devcon 5 minute on every lure that I have built without having a single hook hanger pull out. The wood will split before the hook hanger will come out. In over 4 years I have only had one lip pull free. That was after catching more than 50 fish. 8 of those fish were over 4 lbs, and three of those were over 5lbs with one just shy of 7. The lip came out due to a hook penetrating between the lip and the ballast weight. The balsa soaked enough water to cause a failure due to swelling and loss of integrity. Not an epoxy failure.

The advantage to slow cure epoxies over fast curing is the fact that the slower the cure the deeper it can penetrate into the wood. In theory creating a stronger bond. With balsa being a very soft wood, it can soak deep into the wood as it cures. The slower curing epoxies are also more flexible after fully curing.

I am just too impatient to wait 2-3 hours for the D2T to set up when I can be working on the lure in 10 minutes.

Eric

[Fishwhittler]

Thanks all! I really appreciate all you guys help.