Trouble With Replacing Swivels & Split Rings

[5/0]

Yesterday I thought I’d change out blades & swivels on some spinnerbaits. I was looking forward to freshening up these baits! It quickly became a real chore!

I was using #2 Sampo ball bearing swivels with the split rings already attached and have a set of Texas Tackle split ring pliers. I finally got one accomplished but it took quite some time after multiple attempts. I had to basically take the swivel assembly apart and attach each piece individually. Even with that there is now a gap in the split rings, they are not tight. Spring is the only way I can describe it, if that makes sense?

Sorry for the long winded description, but is there a trick to doing this? Any tips would be appreciated!

 

Thanks....Joe

[scaleface]

I cant do them either and I have good split ring pliers too .

[Dens228]

Good split ring pliers are the key.  Pliers specifically for the job, not pliers with a crappy bump on the tip. 

 

[5/0]

3 minutes ago, Dens228 said:

Good split ring pliers are the key.  Pliers specifically for the job, not pliers with a crappy bump on the tip. 

 

I have Texas Tackle pliers. I thought that was a good brand? That's one of the reasons I couldn't figure out the difficulty.

 

[Fishes in trees]

The orange handled ones or the green handled ones.  Reason I ask is that the green handled ones don't like small split rings at all.   The green handled ones are make for larger split rings.  

[5/0]

4 minutes ago, Fishes in trees said:

The orange handled ones or the green handled ones.  Reason I ask is that the green handled ones don't like small split rings at all.   The green handled ones are make for larger split rings.  

The orange.

[detroit1]

Stronger glasses!  ?

[Dens228]

I have those, with the yellow handles.  They work great. 

 

[5/0]

25 minutes ago, Dens228 said:

I have those, with the yellow handles.  They work great. 

 

Are the yellow ones that much different from the orange? Would they work better on the smaller #2 split rings?

[Dens228]

4 hours ago, 5/0 said:

Are the yellow ones that much different from the orange? Would they work better on the smaller #2 split rings?

I have no idea, I've never seen the orange. These are the only ones I've ever actually had. 

 

[Bluebasser86]

Are the split rings stainless steel or standard wire? Stainless steel ones will stretch and stay stretched without returning to form much more often than the standard wire.

[moguy1973]

These are the split ring pliers I use and they work great.  Much better than any fishing split ring pliers I've ever used:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Xuron-496-Split-Ring-Plier/dp/B07DDBDDCS

[5/0]

Thanks for the responses!

On a related subject, I’d like to get into changing the skirts. I’ve looked at a few videos, including Glenn’s on this subject and have an idea on how to do it. But I am not sure on how long to leave the inside portion, the shorter end, to give the best profile. I’ve picked up a few packs of Dirty Jigs and Boss banded skirts and would be using these.

I won’t be using these, mainly Keitech Fat Impacts, Flukes, and single tail grubs.

 

Joe