My 1St Crank Carved Out Of Basswood

[Big Bass Man]

I tried my 1st shot at carving a lure out of basswood. Tools I used were a scroll saw, dremmel tool, dremmel engraver, drill and sandpaper. I have a few questions , if someone dont mind answering them. The fine lines around the gill plate area, what is best used for those? I used the dremmel engraver on those, but didnt come out as smooth as I would have liked. What is the best way to mark the eyes to get them exactly even? What is the best way to cut the lip slot without having a bandsaw? What will be the best ballast weight to use on a crank this size? Sorry for all of the questions, I still have a lot to learn about bait carving. Here are a few pics of my first carved crank.

Thanks,

Patrick

[Packard]

It's lookin good!

[Steven Ladner]

Very nice BBM

[Big Bass Man]

Thanks guys!!

I have been buying up a few tools to give it a try. Still have a ton to learn about carving, but had fun doing this one.

[BIG M]

Pretty darn good on the first try.

[Vodkaman]

I think you did great.

Carving is not my favorite operation, which is why I build carving machines. This way I only need to carve one master. I know, it's cheating, but to each his own so don't pick on me. My logic is that I created the machine by hand, so technically, I carved the bait by hand

Dave

[Big Bass Man]

Thanks guys, Thats great compliments coming from you two!! Both of yall do some awesome work. Its getting harder and harder to get away from the chinese made junk. I would rather make my own, than buy that crap!!

Dave, Thanks Again Friend!! You have already been a great help!!

[Jigfishn10]

Looks awesome for your first try Big Bass Man. If you pick up the carving technique as well as your photo finishes, you'll be well on your way. Keep "plugging" at it. (sorry, couldn't resist).

[jbass]

The fine lines around the gill plate area, what is best used for those? I used the dremmel engraver on those, but didnt come out as smooth as I would have liked. What is the best way to mark the eyes to get them exactly even? What is the best way to cut the lip slot without having a bandsaw? What will be the best ballast weight to use on a crank this size? Sorry for all of the questions, I still have a lot to learn about bait carving. Here are a few pics of my first carved crank.

Thanks,

Patrick

There are more guys on this board that can answer your questions but I'll give it a shot.

1. Fine lines around the gill plates: I've made a pattern from cardboard and traced around it with a pencil and used an exacto knife to follow the lines then remove the material with the exacto knife.

2. Cutting the lip slot: Locate it on the blank before you start carve. You can put the lip slot square to the blank with a handsaw or table saw. Just depends on the thickness of the lip. I use a coping saw because I use the very thin wafer type lips.

3. Eyes even: Once I've cut my rough blank, I'll run a center line the length of the bait, back to front and down the belly. This way I have a line to go by to keep the bait symmetrical and you can locate line ties, hook hangers. You should drill these holes as well before carving. Using a cloth tape you can measure for the eyes on either side of the center line equally. There is a post on May 23 in the tacklemaking page and there are a few of my baits there. The first picture is rough cut an a sanded blank as well and you can see the center line on them. I hope this explains what I'm talking about.

4. Ballast: Basswood is pretty light so you need enough to have it sit upright and perpendicular to the water. I could be 1/8 ounce could be more.

These are some of the things I go by and I hope it helps you. Again there are better bait builders on this site than me but this is how I make mine and it works. Good luck on yours as well.

[Big Bass Man]

Thanks again guys!!

I have been outside whittling all day, Taking in all of the tips given from everyone. Here are a few more that I carved Today. The rest of my hardeware should be in this week to finish them. Where is the best place to buy the weighted hook hangers? I used egg shaped weights on these, for the ballast.

[tmier]

Man those look good. I would be tempted to clear coat them and try them without any color.

[Vodkaman]

I am liking the scaled depression idea, knurled ratchet handle? Are you going to foil over that, might work well with the right technique to press the foil into the depressions.

Dave

[Big Bass Man]

Man those look good. I would be tempted to clear coat them and try them without any color.

Thanks Man! I am definately going to test them out before painting. My 1st thing is to make sure they run true. All of the painting will come later.

I am liking the scaled depression idea, knurled ratchet handle? Are you going to foil over that, might work well with the right technique to press the foil into the depressions.

Dave

Thanks Dave!! I made those impressions with a good sized ratchet handle. I am going to try Deranglerundmehr's method of foiling on those jerkbaits. Not sure that they will turn out that nice, but I have to give it a try!!

Patrick

[Jigfishn10]

Cant't go wrong with those, you have the talent for sure! Keep it up Big Bass Man!

[Big Bass Man]

Cant't go wrong with those, you have the talent for sure! Keep it up Big Bass Man!

Thanks Bud!! I enjoy trying new things, I guess its the challenge of it. Thats the first time I have ever attempted wood carving of any kind. Everyone giving advice surely help, appreciate all that was given. I hope to test them out this weekend!!

[islandbass]

Very nice!!!!! You might want to "check" to make sure your ballast weight is the right amount. It could be just right (always my first hope), a little too much or not enough.

The reason I recommend it is because it would be a tragedy to bust your phanny getting all the way to painting and finishing it and then it lists to one side (speaking from experience)

Lastly, if these are your first attempts, and they already look good, your future ones are going to be even cooler. Well done and keep us posted on your progress!