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Lexan Lip Source

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Was curious if anybody would share a source for 1/16" thick 1"X1" square lips....I'm aware of LPO but for a 100 lips it comes out to about .49 a lip which seems high to me..I've bought some from hagens before which were somewhat cheaper in price but the size wasn't quite right...

I have tried making my own but have not been satisfied with how inconsistent I am with making them by hand...if I had any sort of descent metal working skills I would try to build a punch of some kind..

I'd love to find a lip punch or someone who can make a consistent lip that might consider selling some cheaper than LPO...

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Try the circuit board 12"X 12" sheets from LPO.  At $8.99, that works out to $.06+ a square inch, and it's easy to cut and shape.

You can cut it with Wiss snips or strong scissors, so you don't need machinery, and you can sand it to your final shape.

I put blue painters tape on part of the full sheet at one edge, trace out the lip shape I want including a center line, and then just cut to the line. 

Edited by mark poulson
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Yes, once you have cut a few lips you won't go back to buying store-bought. It only takes a few minutes to do and it's ridiculousy cheap. And you can design and cut any size/shape you need. One 12x12" sheet of lip material lasts a long time.

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For consistency when cutting your own lips try the template print and glue method. Cut them a little big. Then clamp and / or glue a bunch together and sand them to final shape on a disc sander or belt sander. This should yield much higher consistency. If you do not have a disc sander, buy a 7" metal cutting blade that fits your Table saw and a 7" resin fiber sanding disc 50 - 80 grit. 

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I believe you can get more by cutting them yourself. If you still want to buy them go with the business mentioned above. If you want to do them yourself, this is what I do.

I make a lip design and lay out the design with a center line. Since I do this by hand, I then scan it to the computer. I check the printing size and if correct I "snapshot" the shape and put one after another on a page. Then I run a sheet off. I cut out the amount that I want. Then I attach the cut out to the film of the lexan with a low adhesive spray (Ben gave me this one). I let then dry, once dry I take them (sheet form) to the band saw, table saw or scrolling saw.

I mainly use the table saw for large cutting. The straight side cuts I use the band saw, for radius cuts I use the scrolling saw. This is just my way, you can use whatever works for you. Heck you could use a coping saw.

Then I use a file, sand paper, Dremel, etc. to touch the lip up in a hobby vice. I usually make more then I need, I put the rest in a storage location. I leave the paper and film on the lexan until the very end of the process. I peel the paper and film as I need. The center line is extremely important. That will square the lip with the baits center line.

It's not bad at all in time. I just gave you a little detail. Hope this helps,

Dale

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Whoa there Buckaroo (Ben)! Don't try to get me to far into the 20th....I mean the 21st century yet. :) I have been doing hand as-builts in the field so long it's just second nature/habit until lately. I can do some very good drawings I have you to know. B)

However if you and BobP says it's the way to go well,.... I have got to give it a try. My problem is I need to find one for a Mac. I don't think Power Draw will work. I would like to do designs for bodies also. I'll take a look and find me one. If anybody knows of one let me know please.

Thanks again,

Dale

Edited by DaleSW
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Started doing fabrication the summer when I turned 14 years old Dale and made a living at it until retirement so I know a little something about layout work as well. Trust me when I say there is no way you can achieve the EXACT same layout time after time doing them by hand. Even building a hard template and tracing around it by hand does not equal the same accuracy offered by creating a CAD drawing and printing them out. Is that degree of accuracy necessary to build a bait? Not really, but when you get my age and the eyes start to go you'll know what I mean. At one time I could do layout work in 1/64 of an inch. Now on a good day I can see an 1/8 of an inch. :blink:

 

Can't help you with the Mac, but surely somewhere there is software that is applicable. I'm a little like Mark when it comes to a lot of this computer stuff, but if I can figure it out then it's not that hard. And if I don't drag you kicking and screaming into the 21'st century then who else is gonna do it? :P:D

 

Ben

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its hard for me to buy a computer when we have phones and tablets that do the same things..... but they dont print

so i use the 19th century template (ha ha).... using graph paper i draw half the lip, using the graph line as a center line, then fold in half and cut out... this template is glued to card stock for a permanent template, or directly to the lexan for temporary testing lips.... use cheap Elmers glue sticks, the paper will easily wash of the lexan with water

if you have a computer, Ben and Dales way is surely more accurate... but ive had success this way

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I really believe the computer is the better way JR. You cut out a few things that I have to do. I was just having fun with Ben. I am always interested in a new way of doing things.

I knew that Ben has worked in the same industry that I work in. I do draw everything by hand though.

I couldn't help myself Ben. :)

Dale

ps, JR if that works for you, then it's perfect.

Edited by DaleSW
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