18 replies to this topic

[rustyman]

Wondering how the pros here cut out lexan lips. I've cut a few 1/8 in. lips for my baits close to size then try to use my disc sander but it heats up and makes a blob on the bottom. Wonder if it would be better to buy a few. Also does anyone have any idea on how long most epoxies like etex reach maximum hardness? Thanks, Rusty

[BobP]

I rough them out with metal shears and then take the last millimeter of material down to the template line with a Dremel fine grit sanding drum. I think the Dremel offers best control . You can use a Dremel felt polishing cylinder to polish the edges afterward. Most epoxies are formulated to reach functional hardness after 24 hours.

Guys who make lures in volume need hundreds of one lip, not onesies and twosies like hobbiests. That usually means contract laser cutting or building a hydraulic press with a custom cutting die to punch out the lips in volume.

[diemai]

@ rustyman

I am wondering , whether your material is the right stuff ?

I am cutting mine out just roughly with a small saw or jigsaw and sand them down to the marked outlines with a 60 grit sanding disc chucked into my lathe's motor .

Even sanding off 1/2" from the Lexan material in one pass does not cause me any of the problems , that you have described .

Never had issues about heating up and generating blobs , only a ridge of milky white rigid material would build up at the location engaged to the grinder , and it is not soft nor sticky at all !

I can easily cut it off with a sharp carpet knife , afterwards break the lip's edges with a small fine grade file and/or sandpaper(with the latter one needs to be very cautious to ONLY touch the edge , otherwise the lip's plane would become scratched) .

good luck , diemai

[jamie]

I make larger musky baits and I use a bandsaw to cut mine out. Clean up at the end with a sander. Then use a torch to clean up around the edges .

[FishThanks]

This is a link to a pevious post on how I make my bills. When they come off the table they are finished. If you use a spiral bit they come out even a little nicer but not necessary. http://www.tackleund...bills-lips.html

[diemai]

@ FishThanks

Haven't come across this post before , don't have a router table like this either , but just wanna tell you , that this is a very smart idea , .......brilliant and neat execution !

greetz , diemai

[rustyman]

FishThanks, on 25 April 2010 - 10:46 AM, said:

This is a link to a pevious post on how I make my bills. When they come off the table they are finished. If you use a spiral bit they come out even a little nicer but not necessary. http://www.tackleund...bills-lips.html

Thanks for posting that, I will try it. I think I can get those spiral bits through work for free.

[hazmail]

F/T- great idea, this would work on a sanding disc as well, especially for the smaller lips I use.
Thanks. Pete

[FishThanks]

Thanks guys glad you found it useful.

[cms]

The link is no good any longer. Did anyone save any of the article or pictures?

Thanks

[EdL]

http://www.tackleund...__fromsearch__1

Don't know if this is it or not but take a look. I found it by doing a Search on the forum.

[Lincoya]

EdL, on 09 February 2012 - 05:57 PM, said:

http://www.tackleund...__fromsearch__1

Don't know if this is it or not but take a look. I found it by doing a Search on the forum.

That is how I cut out my lips. I use a router with a laminate trim bit. The hardest part is making the template and getting it symetrical. After that, the rest is easy. You can make all kinds of shapes as long as your trim bit will fit into the "nooks and crannies" of your template.

Gene

[Lincoya]

Here is a link to a video that we shot at the 2010 TU Get-together in Missouri. The video will give you an idea of how easy it is to use the router to make your own lips.




Gene

Edited by Lincoya, 09 February 2012 - 08:47 PM.

[Big Bass Man]

Great video Gene!! Thanks for sharing it with us!!

[A-Mac]

cool vid!

[EdL]

Gene - Thanks for posting the link to the video. Great idea. Good too to make the template thick, use a bearing router bit and showing to ease into the lexan. All good for safety.

[cms]

Excellent video. Great idea!

[CheapTrix]

Great idea and video.....only one suggestion....safety glasses/goggles.....

[Firechief]

Great video