current project (updated with pic)

[DBatey]

A few balsa baits, they are ready for sealing so i can paint them.

[bmadd]

Nice looking baits! Are those your creations or someone elses?

[islandbass]

Those are nicely crafted. Did you use screw eyes or thru wire for the line ties and hook holders? I have used both on different balsa lures I've made and want to use screw eyes because it's less work. It's just that I'm a bit wary they might rip out of the balsa during a good fight.

[DBatey]

I buy the bodies already formed, but cut the lip slot and drill for the weighting myself. I do not use through wire these days because of time constraints, but I epoxy all of my hardware in place so the balsa will give before anything comes out. I normally use twisted SS wire instead of screw eyes, but I didn't have any on hand for this batch.

Tonight I applied a coat of Devcon to them tomorrow they will be ready for a paint job.

I will update with pictures when they are painted.

[spotspanker]

Nice

[Steven Ladner]

Nice, looking forward to seeing them painted

[Scorcher214]

very clean looking. How do you make the slit for the lip to go in? I'm Using a circular cutting bit for my dremel but it is difficult to cut a slit that is level and even.

[DBatey]

Thanks,

I use a scroll saw for the lip slot

[jbass]

Thanks,

I use a scroll saw for the lip slot

Dwain, the baits appear to be slightly rounded, so how do you keep the bait square to the saw blade while cutting the lip slot?

Thanks in advance,

Jerry

[DBatey]

Jerry,

If i made more of them I would make a jig to hold the baits the same each time, but since I only get to make balsas every so often I just hold them freehand to saw the slot. If i get a bad one I just toss it.

I just painted them all tonight, i'll clear coat them tomorrow and get pictures up when they dry.

[Vodkaman]

This is the way I cut the slots on duplicated bodies:

The jig/mold is bondo. The mold box was PVC water pipe. I glued the short length of pipe to an old tile, using CA glue. Poured in the bondo and placed a body in the mix, close to the side of the pipe. This leaves plenty of room for a flat to be sanded. Adjust the flat to get a straight cut with the bandsaw.

Have a long piece of wood handy to hold the lure body in the bondo, it will tend to float up.

Dave

[islandbass]

Dwain,

Thanks! I was just getting tired of making the through wires.  I will make the next few with screw eyes attached with Dev Con 2T.

[DBatey]

Now I just have to wait on the clear to cure so I can test them out

[Scorcher214]

I really like the one on the far right, and the one to the left of it.

[NateFollmer]

Man that is fabulous work! I say this a lot but looking at all you guys and your awesome work makes me want to get into this

[baluga]

Awesome job! 8-)

[islandbass]

Gosh! In one word, fantastic. Well done, Dwain.

[CCP]

excellent work

[Fishwhittler]

Beautiful!  Can't pick a favorite. 8-)

[TrippyJai]

Love the one on the far right. They are all stunning.

[hitchhiker]

Verrrry Nice.  I wish I could paint baits.