Fishwhittler Posted April 9, 2009 Posted April 9, 2009 Does anyone here use plexiglass for making crankbait bills? I'm thinking about using it but I'm not sure if it will hold up under strain. I tried to break a small piece of it the other day and it took a lot of pressure to break it, but I was bending it with my hands which spread out the stress point over a larger area and maybe if there was a smaller area being stressed it would break more easily. Also, is chipping a major concern with using plexiglass? I know that it's more brittle than lexan, but I have no experience with doing this. I would really appreciate any info that you can give me. Thanks, Fishwhittler. Quote
Super User .dsaavedra. Posted April 9, 2009 Super User Posted April 9, 2009 most people don't use plexiglass. its not very strong. pretty much the only bill materials i've ever seen used are lexan, micarta (circuit board) and metal. i'd stick with lexan. Quote
Fishwhittler Posted April 9, 2009 Author Posted April 9, 2009 What about if you melt a strip of metal with the line tie on it into the bill perpendicular to the plexiglass? Quote
Super User .dsaavedra. Posted April 9, 2009 Super User Posted April 9, 2009 i'm not sure what you mean by this, but it seems like it would weaken the whole thing. i wouldn't trust the strength of anything that was held together by being melted into plexiglass. maybe i just don't understand what you mean, could you post a sketch maybe? i'd still just stick with lexan Quote
Fishwhittler Posted April 9, 2009 Author Posted April 9, 2009 You're probably right. I had better just stick with lexan or metal. Thanks, Fishwhittler Quote
ernel Posted April 9, 2009 Posted April 9, 2009 Lexan will not hold up well. It also has a problem with become brittle when exposed to colder temps. I normally pick up a 48" long by 5" piece of 1/16" lexan for 5-7 bucks. You can also find it under the name poly carbonate. Lexan is a mfg name where as poly carbonate is a common/industry name. I can make plenty of lures out of one strip. Eric Quote
BIG M Posted April 10, 2009 Posted April 10, 2009 Don't use plexiglass for bills, it will break in cold water. Lexan or circut board material for you bills. Both can be purchased from Mcmaster-Carr, look up polycarbonate and g-10. Quote
Super User .dsaavedra. Posted April 10, 2009 Super User Posted April 10, 2009 Lexan will not hold up well. It also has a problem with become brittle when exposed to colder temps. I normally pick up a 48" long by 5" piece of 1/16" lexan for 5-7 bucks. You can also find it under the name poly carbonate. Lexan is a mfg name where as poly carbonate is a common/industry name.I can make plenty of lures out of one strip. Eric just to avoid confusion, you're talking about Plexiglass, not Lexan right? Quote
ernel Posted April 10, 2009 Posted April 10, 2009 Ah Son of a monkey. Yes I was meaning to say that plexi would not hold up well. Too many things going on in the back ground at home while typing. :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[ OOPS! Eric Quote
Fishwhittler Posted April 10, 2009 Author Posted April 10, 2009 Thanks guys! What thickness of lexan would you recommend? Quote
BIG M Posted April 10, 2009 Posted April 10, 2009 1/16 is perfect for bass cranks. 1/32 g-10 if you go with the circut board material. Quote
Fishwhittler Posted April 11, 2009 Author Posted April 11, 2009 I think I'll split the difference and go with 3/32" thickness. Thanks all! Fishwhittler Quote
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