Cutting out lure blanks.

[wickyman]

I was just curious what kind of tool everyone uses to cut out there blanks?

I just got an older dremel multi-tool scroll saw.  I think this thing is going to be the trick for my swim baits, and crank baits.  I was Using a skill saw before, and it was too much work, for what it was worth.  Anyone else use a scroll saw?!

[whittler]

I use a bandsaw except for my mini crankbaits then I use a scroll saw. Just slower on the scroll saw and a little more difficult and on larger material but it works fine for the job.

[wickyman]

Yeah.  I was going to be trimming up the excess of the blank I just carved by hand.  I wasn't really planning on making anything huge on the scroll saw, but I was going to try swim baits at least.    I guess time will only tell. 

[BIG M]

Scroll saw for me, I like my fingers.

[wickyman]

I feel that the scroll saw is the best alternative to cutting tools...  I don't know, a band saw seems too much most of the time. 

[BIG M]

For balsa wood and cedar a scroll saw is perfect for me.    It may not be as fast as a band saw but speed removes fingers.   

[wickyman]

Balsa and cedar are both softer woods, and it doesn't take long to cut through them.  Even pine, it's quick and to the point!    I just need to find a cheap place to get my balsa wood! 

[BIG M]

National Balsa is the cheapest place I've found to buy bulk balsa.   25.00 min order but they nail you on shipping.   Make sure that you request hard balsa or you will get a box of soft wood (not good for lures).

[BobP]

I use a scroll saw because that's what I own.  It works OK.  But I only build 2-6 baits at a time.  Frustration is cutting half a dozen 1" thick blanks from a hardwood like basswood.  It's not bad on thin flat baits from hardwood and it will cut a fine line line, with more curve.  It will cut balsa as fast as you want.  But if you plan to cut hardwood often, most bait builders would say get a small band saw.  The bandsaw is a little more unforgiving of fingers but like all power tools, the faster they work, the more careful you need to be.   

[islandbass]

Depending on the size of the wood it's also a scroll saw for me and that's just to get the basic shape. Then a hobby knife to whittle away and sand paper.

I don't have a band saw, but if I did, by all means I would use it. Haven't used one since I was in the 7th grade in my industrial arts class ;D

[crank4bass]

I built a lure duplicator a few years ago that will create an identical match every time. A great machine but I replaced it with a more sophisticated machine. A hobby that turned into a business so I needed something that was faster and more automated. I mention this because I would sell this machine if anyone is interested.

[Fishwhittler]

I use a scroll saw for my baits because it's what is available to me. Most of my baits are cut out of 3/4" pine and it works fine for that, but if I try to cut thicker (1") stock then it gets much harder unless I'm using a brand new blade. I don't know if you have the same problems with thicker wood when you're using balsa.

[wickyman]

My dremel moto shop, cuts through balsa like butter!    I don't know, pine cuts pretty smooth for me also, as long as I hold the wood close to the plate, it works quick! 

[.dsaavedra.]

wickyman, what dremel tools are you referring to?

is it an attachment for a regular dremel rotary tool? or is it a whole different tool?

[wickyman]

It's an old scroll saw, with a flex shaft, that can be inserted into the side, or you can use it as a grinding wheel, sanding disk, etc. 

[Stringjam]

It's an old scroll saw, with a flex shaft, that can be inserted into the side, or you can use it as a grinding wheel, sanding disk, etc.

I just saw one of those old Dremel scroll saws (with the round side disc att.) at the pawn shop the other day. Almost bought it just because it was so cheap, but I didn't realize they worked well for cutting blanks (I read a big long post at TU where everybody said they don't like scroll saws! : )

[wickyman]

Best piece of equipment you can buy!