onlybass

Interesting topic. I think it's probably not so much "because that's the way it has always been done" but more because, more often than not, it mimics nature.Generally, wildlife has a darker top/back and lightening of color towards the bottom/belly.

I just want to cut a small clean circle with a raised core. Thanks for your suggestion on the spelling. I will check that out. I'm sure we are talking about the same thing just a different hole to be drilled. Yep, cuts the same way...cuts around a core "clean", unlike a hole saw (sometimes mislabled as trepanning tools) that has a pilot in the center. Same style of tools, there's about three common spellings.

Machinists call/spell them as trepanning tools. That might expand your results. Look for hss (high speed steel) tools. Just in case, you never know with the China stuff...

Does anyone know why Awesome Bait Company is not taking orders? Used to be an Ohio bait called a Darting R and ABC's Model 103 was real close.

Glass beads will not take ridges in plastic off. Crushed glass is slightly more aggressive but only "dulls" ridges but will not cut good gel-coat Rogues. The "thin paint" Rogues are quickly cleaned. Do a search on this site and you should find this info and info about "wiping" paint off with MEK. Have you tried just priming and painting over one(Rogue) and using one or two thin coats of epoxy? You may be surprised. I was. Suspend nicely.

If you try to call them as you see them...... Kathleen,that is probably one of the most impressive posts that I have seen on this site.It takes many longer than that to make one Durhams mold right or perfect one crankbait style! You must be some a-type o.c. person and that may explain clash as "likes" do that.(Its 3am est and I am in shop still- a type o.c -at least thats what some call us.) Or is the snow so deep you can't get out? You put it up and I am shutting up! In a sec. Now all that wanted it ...ANTE UP! If I ever get a great bait will you market it? Heck if shop slows I may call anyhow,bet you would give it a shot in the onlybass! Again, Impressive!

I second it.(I have 2)

T-Bait, Get a couple more quotes then you will "know".You are near one of the top four machining areas in the nation and one of the top machining courses also.There are over 400 shops in the Dayton area and Sinclair Community College.Minco would be one shop to check.The DTMA(Dayton Tooling and Machining Association) is a good resource.There are many good shops between Dayton and Cinci.The good shops will have answers to all of your questions.Avoid using an extension on jacks and if you have to really "pull" hard you are nearing the jack's limits.Use of an extension will "overpower" the jack and they tend to break.

MSC and Grainger(industrial supply companies with web sites) have good selections of low rpm Dayton motors for approximately $35-$70 depending on model.The weight of the lures should not create a torque issue but I would add lures to the wheel in a manner that maintains some semblance of balance.I would be most concerned how motor is mounted to frame,frame construction and how frame is secured in place during operation.I use a wheel that I "stick" lure wands in holes(evenly spaced) of the wheel axially.There are pictures on this site of wheels that hold lures radially.I do not know the capabilities of less expensive rotisserie motors but I would expect they would suffice.

Tie on a new test lure,clip the tag end, toss the bait over the side of the boat to reel up the slack and reel in nothing but slack.Priceless.Cost of polarized bifocals:$350

I would check your local upohlsterers.Many of them are slow in the winter and would like to pick up boat work and that is good timing for anglers.I had 2 bucket seats re-upohlstered for less than $200 before striking a "sponsor deal".I would request that they use plastic(ABS?) for frame and stainless steel hardware. If Stratos is charging $300 I would guess half that or more is mark-up.Might look at existing seats for manufacturer and contact directly.I have heard that insurance companies "salvage" totaled boats,but I have no idea where that outlet would be.

Not speaking for Del. Molds for injection machines are much more involved than open pour molds.Venting, runners,water channels,number of cavities etc,hence more cost.Zorn builds molds in addition to injection machines.

I am wacked.It happened in Iraq.Thats why I build tackle and fish.It helps to un-wack me for awhile.I've ate Benning clay too,thanks Blades.

Can't accept apology without giving one. I'm giving and accepting.Drive on Kathleen.

Del just made one of the best posts that I have ever seen on TU.Very honest and forthright. If anything he low-balled expenses and forgot a few.$15,000 to connect 3 phase,even if the wire runs over the shop. You have coolant disposal costs.Most vendors want annual(or more frequent) certifications like ISO or QS.Initial costs can easily exceed $50,000 or more.Annually about 1/5 the initial. If you think you are going to pay the bills making molds for lure crafters,your machine will be at auction soon. One thing that Del and Bob are too nice too talk about is bad customers.Business is learning that there are customers "who are not right."The old "customer is always right" has been ruined by the bad customer.You could tell them 2 week delivery at best, probably 3 and no more than 4 because your making parts for the war.While waiting he complains to his buddies about the wait and doesn't know why when he is paying $30/hr for machine time.You make $60/hr or more normally.You deliver it in 15 days and feeling generous give it to him because he has an old truck with a BASS sticker on it.He then goes and brags to his buddies how he raised hell and made you give it to him.By word of mouth one bad customer(or your mistake) can cost you 6 new customers.Via internet? 2,500 on this site.That is why I would not make molds for some.Maybe they won't either. You really can't blame someone for being too busy.Unless you are a kid talking to a parent. I have said this before,everyone is lucky to have Del and Bob making molds.They could easily be making alot more money elsewhere. Sorry guys, but I'm not going to needlessly compete with Del or Bob.

Thanks for being so condescending.I find being put in my place by vague references to "marketing background" and 4 "businesses" owned quite entertaining and refreshing.I really found the "Guess ....." comment enlightening.Just because I offered a "savings" different but not exclusive in relation to participating in a co-op.It is quite interesting to note the reference to the post about separating a co-op from an association.Seems as if that was a neat bit of info.Might want to note the author.I am sure you checked with the "group" working on the association to not double the effort or compete needlessly.Good thing I don't have a fragile ego or I would feel depressed watching 23 CNC machines run $60/hr each when I have been taken to task by a marketing guru.Members here are "needful" of a custom mold maker with short lead times.This would be a great initial accomplishment by any individual wishing to lead/establish a co-op.But you just blew the best chance that you did not know of.Nice start.Unless your last name is Debeers or Kay,then I'm toast."Now that's funny...."Thanks Larry TCG.

What is the going price for a custom two cavity open pour soft plastic mold?Four cavity custom two part jig?Two cavity two part soft plastic?Custom being something not listed for sale on a site. A "special".Are you all looking at long lead times on production/off the shelf molds or just the custom work? Do not hold your breath,but I am looking at 15 CNC mills...idle on nights.Understand that they do not "have" to run.They are idle by choice.

Search or ask this question on the Rod Builders Guild.Sorry, I don't know www.

The best way to save money is to turn your hobby into a legal business.Reference "Lower Your Taxes-Big Time!" by Sandy Botkin.The author was a senior tax lawyer for the IRS.The first chapter is "Why you would be brain dead not to start a home-based business". By the time large lots are broken into small lots and shipped, much,if not all,savings will evaporate. There are many pitfalls to creating a "buyers group" on such a small scale-and it would be small scale.Many have been stated,but one of the most important has been missed-timeliness.Will you be able to get what you want, when you want it? All of the savings that you could possibly incur,even at best case scenario,through a co-op, will not come close to the savings of a legitimate business via taxes and wholesale purchases. This does not have to entail quitting your "real job" or investing large amounts of time or money.

This is a prime example of the pot calling the kettle black.There is likely to be no winner and the only loser will be the individual club member.The Federation has taken BASS to tasks on other subjects before and then do the same thing to their members ie sponsor clothing.Now the Fed is courting FLW, who has the most stringent sponsor display regs.The Federation complains that BASS does not communicate well.I get more info via "open letters" in Bassmaster Mag or Bass Times(BASS publications) and it is more timely.It took TBF over 2 weeks to update the site during this current spat.This is how I elected the Fab Five and empowered TBF,and hired the TBF honcho.My club elected a club president.Club presidents elect 2 regional directors(several regions).Regional directors and state board members elect state fed president and officers,yet the state president appoints state board members.The state presidents elected the Fab Five and empowered and hired TBF.So the claim by TBF and Federation to be my voice is a bit skewed.The only ballot that I cast is at the club level.We never have a vote where all members of the state federation votes are counted.It works about like Congess and just as poorly.Another hot button is BASS throwing the Fab Five out.At least BASS stated publically and quickly why.FLW would have done the same thing(ask Jeff Coble) and not elaborated at all.Yet the Federation is looking at FLW as a partner? There are less than 50,000 Federation Members,yet BASS sells 110,000 subscriptions to Bass Times which is the magazine for the Federation Angler.BASS sells 504,000 subs to Bassmaster Magazine.The Federation is coming up short on numbers and it is a fair question-why?Then BASS may want to realize that there are about 30,000,000 licensed anglers in the U.S. This is a power play by Federation Presidents,TBF,BASS and FLW.I hope the federation members take the power back to themselves,away from all of the above.They could do this via their dollars,letters to sponsors and "utilizing" ramps during the "weekend events".

I have never had problems with bubbles.I use a propane torch as described in above posts.I mix my epoxy( Devcon 2-Ton) rapidly and produce many bubbles.I brush it on doing nothing special-not worrying about bubbles.I then pass and rotate bait over torch to remove bubbles.After this I inspect bait to make sure that bubbles that I "flamed out" did not leave any voids in coating.Just a dab will fix voids if any.Do not let clear coat to smoke.Pass bait 4-6 inches above a 1 inch flame.I do not thin Devcon 2 Ton.I use medical dose cups-you can buy at a pharmacy very cheap,just ask for a hundred or so..I mention this as epoxies will react with some types of plastic.

In reply to the request for tax-exempt info.501© of tax codes apply to non-profits.501©(6) applies to Business Leagues.Trade Associations are considered Business Leagues.If this "tackle association" is to also be a "buyer's group" as some have discussed it will not receive tax exempt status.This would be considered a "cooperative" under IRS rules.

I have not tried the spray adhesive.I learned this from a tip Hughesy posted here.Attach casting sinkers to the netting.1/2 oz and 6-8 pieces works for 3 inch bait.You will drape the netting over the bait and the sinkers will pull the netting to the bait's top and sides.If netting hangs a little below bottom of bait,then you can "sit" sinkers on bench when done and slip bait out from under netting. Works great and is fast.

It is not good that my posts are being mis-interpreted.I want nothing from any individual.I have not named any individual,asked a question from any individual-all have been directed at you-the reader-to think about.I clearly stated that in my second post. I do expect something from an association.What I expect from that association is that it accomplish what it has offered me for my membership.I simply have been asking questions,and offering my opinion.I clearly stated that I do not oppose this idea,yet I have shown that I do have reservations about some ideas that have been presented.I have offered points of interest or concerns that I feel could have a detrimental ,if not terminal effect,on what I hope will be a successful and proactive association,before it is even launched.I do not know how to be more clear than this:This topic is a good idea.I want to see you succeed and achieve your goals.I am not entrenched in my views.I have no desire to be a "mover or shaker " in this association endeavor.I personally do not care what you think of my lures unless you are fishing them.I am offerring my advice,questions and concerns the same way that I would offer to help you find a boat plug if yours was missing.The same way that I would ask you before you launch your boat "is the plug in?"Just as I would advise you to wear a life jacket on Erie.It was my intent to help you avoid some pitfalls and make the building of this "lure" easier.I have been specificully adressed by name twice now, in a clearly negative and personal way and I do find that disallusioning.All that said here is what is truely important.I am going fishing the next three days,on Erie,with lures that I built!