Balsa crank

[Bdnoble84]

First attempts with Balsa. Action is great and my paint job is ok. But i really struggled with sanding this thing smooth and it really shows under the paint. Any suggestions how to get a better finish. This particular block works out to a density of 0.1. 

[newriverfisherman1953]

Try sanding to 320 or finer, sealing with a sanding sealer, then lightly sanding again to 320, then primer and paint. 

[Bdnoble84]

Went to 320, sealed with superglue and resanded. Ill have to try some sanding sealer next. I would like to find something that gives it a harder undercoat. I know balsa is soft, but not that soft

[BobP]

I undercoat with Devcon 2 Ton epoxy.  Thick enough to cover any small nibs, etc.  strengthens and waterproofs the lure.

[Bdnoble84]

Do you need a lure turner for the devcon

[detroit1]

On 4/27/2021 at 2:31 PM, Bdnoble84 said:

Do you need a lure turner for the devcon

Yes.

[islandbass]

You will definitely need to have the lures turned but you do not need to go through the expense of buying a fancy lure turning machine.

 

You can make one yourself. 
 

I have a simple method that I devised that doesn’t need a motor and is deal for small scale work (doing 1-4 baits at a time and I usually do 1, lol). 

 

 I used to make cranks and like baits and use devcon 2T and this is what I do. 
 

First, don’t overcoat them. also, this only works if your line tie and hook ties are already in place. 

Next, all you need is a 12-16” of fishing line and a paper clip. Fold out the paper clip to make it form an “S”.

You can tie one end of the line to the paper clip or create a loop at the one end for the clip. 
 

tie the other end of the line to something and ensure there is enough room for the line and clip to move in a pendulum motion.

 

Now that the line is tied to something attach your devcon covered bait to the other side of the clip and let it hang vertically. 
 

twist the line as much as you can between your thumb and forefinger. Think the nastiest twist up akin to a bad spinning reel or those old school balsa propeller plane where you twisted a rubber band to make the propeller spin. 
 

release the line and watch the lure alternate spinning clock and anticlock wise. As it is doing that, push or pull the line to begin the pendulum motion. 
 

repeat for the next 12-15 minutes. 
 

this is remarkably effective and how I do it and it’s 100% fool proof. Now if only I knew how to paint better. I suck at painting, lol. 

[Bdnoble84]

On 5/11/2021 at 1:48 PM, islandbass said:

You will definitely need to have the lures turned but you do not need to go through the expense of buying a fancy lure turning machine.

 

You can make one yourself. 
 

I have a simple method that I devised that doesn’t need a motor and is deal for small scale work (doing 1-4 baits at a time and I usually do 1, lol). 

 

 I used to make cranks and like baits and use devcon 2T and this is what I do. 
 

First, don’t overcoat them. also, this only works if your line tie and hook ties are already in place. 

Next, all you need is a 12-16” of fishing line and a paper clip. Tie Fold out the paper clip to make it form an “S”.

You can tie one end of the line to the paper clip or create a loop at the one end for the clip. 
 

tie the other end of the line to something and ensure there is enough room for the line and clip to move in a pendulum motion.

 

Now that the line is tied to something attach your devcon covered bait to the other side of the clip and let it hang vertically. 
 

twist the line as much as you can between your thumb and forefinger. Think the nastiest twist up akin to a bad spinning reel or those old school balsa propeller plane where you twisted a rubber band to make the propeller spin. 
 

release the line and watch the lure alternate spinning clock and anticlock wise. As it is doing that, push or pull the line to begin the pendulum motion. 
 

repeat for the next 12-15 minutes. 
 

this is remarkably effective and how I do it and it’s 100% fool proof. Now if only I knew how to paint better. I suck at painting, lol. 

Thank you, i love this idea