spookman

I use my baits 100% of the time. I make my hard baits, jigs, spinners and bucktails and flies. Only time I use store bought baits is the soft rubber baits. Not worth the time to make in my opinion.

Copper or brass is too soft for wire through lures. I use stainless steel piano wire for the smaller ones and 1/32 or 1/16 inch stainless steel TIG welding wire for the big tough musky baits like the crazy Gator Musky Lure. Piano wire can be bought at cabelos in many sizes for making baits or spinners. Welding wire can be bought at any hardware store or welding supply. TIG welding wire comes in 3 ft lenths.

I bought one but it seems to take more time than carving them by hand on the lathe. The duplicator does do a smoother finish.

I like the colors and the design.

Living in Michigan where the old timers still make baits the same way they were made 100 years aga. I can tell you. They use a marine primer that is water based to dip in. When its too thick they thin it. These old guys won't tell me the brand. Guess it is still really secretive. Myself I use acrylic paints so I first spray seal with Crystal clear then brush on two coats of white gesso for primer. Standard procedure for any acrylic paint applications. Works very well.

Before I bought the minwax everyone was telling me it was the best. Now I have another can of poly to get rid of. I don't have a rotater can you get a decent job by just hanging the lure up with the new luster 55 or the devcon? finished these two today with minwax. Dipped them 4 times so they will probably be yellowed in a year or so.

I need Heddon vamp sty;e ;ips to use on largeer punkinseed type lures and musky lures. . Maybe just a little bigger than vamp size.

Right now I am experimenting with Minwax, clear fast drying polyurethane. It seems to be working well Dries in 24 hours. You can redip after 4 hours. Recomend dipping 3 to 4 times. I am using this on a couple muskie lures. I wilkl let you know how it turns out.

I really suggest that you compete in the next one. It always brings out the best in your work. Competition makes for some might fine lures. Keep an eye on carvercomp 13 as it is going on now. I am sure you will see some awsome work. Come on over, join us and be part of the carvercomp family. Hope to see you in the next carvercomp.

The spookman finally found his way here. Now slide over Toby before I sit on you. HAHAHAHA Nice place you have here.