how do you guys cut the lips for your cranks?

[SAC2]

i just whipped up my first ever batch of jerkbaits and got to the part where i need to cut and mount the lips and i cant figure out what to cut them with. i have a dremel tool and i was wondering if there was any accessories for that that you guys might use for cutting lips of making baits in general. anything helps! thanks

[BobP]

First, it's a good idea to cut your lip slot with your saw when you cut out the initial bait shape, while you still have a square surface on which to base the cut.  Too late for that?  I use a Dremel with a fiber reinforced cutoff disk.  It takes a steady hand and easier if you mark the lip slot on the bait before you begin the cut.

[SAC2]

no i did cut the slot prior to shaping the bait. i jsut cant cut the lip itself. i tried the cut off disk for cutting the plastic but it wasnt workin too well.

[BIG M]

A pair of straight angle tin snips, the finish the edges with a file.

[Fishwhittler]

A pair of straight angle tin snips, the finish the edges with a file.

Same here, except I use a sanding wheel in a Dremel tool to round the edges and finish smoothing them with sandpaper.

[Stringjam]

A pair of straight angle tin snips, the finish the edges with a file.

Another vote for tin snips. 

[SAC2]

thanks guys

[fishingdanderson]

how thick of lexan can you cut with the tin snips?

[wickyman]

I personally start on an edge of a plexi sheet, and use a hack saw, or my band saw, or even a dremel, then file up the edges.  I do this because it is just quicker, and after some practice, they come out nice.    Another thing you can do, after you cut it all out, is to flame the edges, to get a clear look. 

[BobP]

I've cut .040" Lexan with tin snips.  I don't use thicker than 1/16" Lexan nowadays, and the snips cut that easily.  Cut about 1/32" outside the lip line and take it down to exact dimension with a fine grit 1/2" Dremel sanding cylinder.  A felt Dremel polishing cylinder does a nice job of dressing up the edges.