Gluing wood for poppers

[rich516]

I am just starting to make my own plugs. Mostly along the lines of 6 or 7 inch poppers turned on a wood lathe. I am have an impossible time drilling through, accurately, for throughwire. There seems to be no way to drill 6+ inches and have the drill come out where you want. I have tried different woods, jigs for drilling, drilling from both ends (the holes never line up). I would not consider myself a complete novice when it comes to working with wood--but never had a need to drill long deep holes with accuracy.

Anyway, it occured that the best way to center a hole would be to take two pieces of 3/4 wood, cut to 1.5 inches wide and 8 inches long. Put a 1/16 inch groove down the center of each, then glue them together. The result is an 8 inch long 1.5 inch square block with a perfectly centered hole. Then, I will turn this on the lathe. Problem solved.

Or is it? In researching glues, it seems Titebond III is waterproof. Additionally, I plan to epoxy the lure. I didnt plan to epoxy the inside where the throughwire goes but if needed would do that, too.

So, is gluing up wood lke this ok for plugs? Would you expect it to last? Theoretically, if sealed in epoxy, it should last forever, right?

 

[Deleted account]

We used to make wooden striper lures quite a bit. What you propose will work fine. Just make sure you seal the wood and openings well. Not sure why you are having issues drilling the plugs though, as long as you have a long enough drill bit and a drill press, it should be automatic. You could also drill the blank and then turn it, but that's more work. 

[rich516]

Thanks for the response. The problem with drilling is just that the bit drifts. I didnt use my press (it is a 12 inch long bit) But I made a jig with 2 metal L brackets, about 4 inches between them, and then secured a block (was actually a 2" dowel and I put a flat on the bottom) where the drill came out. It still drifted. I never even got close to centered on the far end where I wanted it to come out.

Maybe it was just bad wood in the sense that it had too much grain? It seems most use balsa or basswood. This was probably pine. Just some old stuff I had laying around. It didnt really turn well either. It just didnt come out smooth. When I decided to glue the blocks, I am using poplar. I like the workability and density tradeoff.

I was also drilling with a 1/8 so maybe it was too flimsy. But anything wider just seemed like overkill.

[rich516]

Maybe my approach is wrong. Wrong wood, process, etc. I would certainly prefer to drill the square first and not have to glue. Anyone have advice on how to do this the correct way?

[newriverfisherman1953]

I drill on the lathe. Usually drill from both ends. Heavy grain will always pull the bit. Drilling from both ends always works for me. 

[islandbass]

I am having a little picturing what you are describing. So you’re trying to drill a hole through the poppers body lengthwise? 

 

That would be a be a order. 

 

I think your plan is alright but if you were really wanting to go with through wire construction, what about using a saw to cut into the belly as deep as you need. You can then fill it with epoxy and if desired, maybe some wood dough.

 

the popper is probably going to be painted and coated so most if not all of the evidence of the cut won’t show. 

 

Keep us posted.  

 

That’s what I do with crankbaits made from balsa

 

Another option could be screw eyes, if your target species.aren't monsters, 

[rich516]

Hmmm. My first thought was... brilliant! But that means I need to saw after turning on the lathe, which would be tough/dangerous. Unless I had the right jig.

 

Im pretty sure I couldnt cut a square stock and then put it on the lathe.

 

I really dont know how you guys drill through. I have tried a few more times and no matter my setup, my bit drifts.

 

If you werent telling me otherwise, I would swear that grooving two pieces and gluing them was the only way it could be done consistently.

 

Yes, I could do screw eyes. To be honest the only reason I have chosen through-wire is because it is "better" construction. I doubt I would ever lose a fish from screws. I just got it in my head so want to do the way the "pros" would. You know, pride of craftsmanship kind of thing. Maybe Im being silly and should should just use the screws. In fact, I know through wire isnt even better, just different for a different scenario. I would be targeting stripers with them.

[FCPhil]

On 4/3/2019 at 11:28 AM, rich516 said:

I am just starting to make my own plugs. Mostly along the lines of 6 or 7 inch poppers turned on a wood lathe. I am have an impossible time drilling through, accurately, for throughwire. There seems to be no way to drill 6+ inches and have the drill come out where you want. I have tried different woods, jigs for drilling, drilling from both ends (the holes never line up). I would not consider myself a complete novice when it comes to working with wood--but never had a need to drill long deep holes with accuracy.

Anyway, it occured that the best way to center a hole would be to take two pieces of 3/4 wood, cut to 1.5 inches wide and 8 inches long. Put a 1/16 inch groove down the center of each, then glue them together. The result is an 8 inch long 1.5 inch square block with a perfectly centered hole. Then, I will turn this on the lathe. Problem solved.

Or is it? In researching glues, it seems Titebond III is waterproof. Additionally, I plan to epoxy the lure. I didnt plan to epoxy the inside where the throughwire goes but if needed would do that, too.

So, is gluing up wood lke this ok for plugs? Would you expect it to last? Theoretically, if sealed in epoxy, it should last forever, right?

 

Honestly you don’t need a throughwire construction, at least for bass fishing. Buy 1 1/2 inch zinc cotter pins from Home Depot, drill a hole so they fit snugly inside and rough up the outside of the cotter pin surface with a file. Glue with Gorilla Glue (the waterproof, expanding type, I forget what it’s named exactly).

 

I sometime use as little as half and inch of the cotter pin inside and it is solid. If you use a full 1 1/2 inch pin with plenty of glue you will break 80lb braid and bend out 4x hooks before that pin pulls out!!!

[islandbass]

1 hour ago, rich516 said:

Hmmm. My first thought was... brilliant! But that means I need to saw after turning on the lathe, which would be tough/dangerous. Unless I had the right jig.

 

Im pretty sure I couldnt cut a square stock and then put it on the lathe.

 

I really dont know how you guys drill through. I have tried a few more times and no matter my setup, my bit drifts.

 

If you werent telling me otherwise, I would swear that grooving two pieces and gluing them was the only way it could be done consistently.

 

Yes, I could do screw eyes. To be honest the only reason I have chosen through-wire is because it is "better" construction. I doubt I would ever lose a fish from screws. I just got it in my head so want to do the way the "pros" would. You know, pride of craftsmanship kind of thing. Maybe Im being silly and should should just use the screws. In fact, I know through wire isnt even better, just different for a different scenario. I would be targeting stripers with them.

Indeed! Yup. The personal glory gained from its success is incentive enough. Sent you a pm. 

[Hower08]

Use a hacksaw blade doubled up and cut your groove in the bottom of the popper. Not dangerous doing it that way. Then you just fill the groove once you get your wire set . This is how most through wire wooden baits are made