bsgorilla

I've had excellent service from Dakota Lakes as well.

Shopko carries D2T.

Wayne, that's awesome. Clever as heck and absolutely perfect. Thanks for posting.

Agreed Ben. I actually meant to do all the cutting post vacuum forming. I am still using cut strips of milk jug for my stencils as I haven't mastered forming identical baits to be able to use vacuum forming. I paint one side then invert the curve of the stencil and paint the other side (thus having identical sides). I have different stencils for different looks, bait sizes and body parts. I have gill stencils, fin stencils, perch stripe stencils, frog spot stencils, etc. I'd actually recommend doing body feature stencils instead of one stencil with all features. Doing it all on one stencil is really hard. You can cut it perfect until the last feature and ruin it and have to start allll over again (grrrr). Bruce

Vodka, you didn't make your video available on mobile on Youtube. :-(

Do u use through-wire design? I just thought of this so it may be a really stupid idea. With the bait cut in half, u could drill a small hole in the lip that lines up with a small drilled hole u make on each side in the lip slot of the balsa. Put a tiny lead shot, bb, tiny pin crossways or what have you in the lip hole, insert the lip/bb in the lip slot (along with your epoxy), and put your two sides back together. The lip won't be able to pull out because it will be anchored in the bait head. Depending on how heavy your anchor choice is, u may have to adjust your weighting a hair to counterbalance to your liking. I am 1000 miles from being an engineering genius like some of the fine fellows on this site so if this idea is idiotic, I apologize.

Have u tried doing your design on the computer? You can print out a couple copies, use one to copy on each side of your stencil. As long as u have a steady hand cutting or drawing and cutting, each side will be exactly identical. I am sure there is simple, probably free software out there where u could take a picture of one of your unpainted baits, upload it and use it to put your design on. That way it will fit perfectly when u print it out and u can tinker with your design without wasting stencils and lure blanks.

In true bass fisherman style, I have Got to get some of those eyes! The green ones will look killer on my basswood frog swimmers.

I contacted customcutstencil.com a couple months ago because I wanted stencils to airbrush bait names on lures. Three different bait names, 28 reusable stencils 1 1/4 inches long for under $11.50. I haven't ordered them yet but that is a terrific price. No place else I looked was remotely close. I requested prices in oilboard and mylar, same price. Steve Lewis is the guy's named and he was very polite. Might be an option to consider. My handwriting is pathetic and I wanted that crisp, professional stencil look. I make no promises. Like I said, I haven't ordered yet so I don't know what they'll look like.

Bluetick wins.

I ordered wire from McMaster Carr at about 6:00 Monday and it was waiting for me when I got home Tuesday from work. Fast! And shipping for 2 one lb spools was under five dollars.

Thanks fellas. I just placed my order with McMaster-Carr. One spool of 304 soft temper stainless .032, one spool of .041. Makes me nervous they don't tell you what shipping cost is going to be right away.

Thanks fellas. That's what I found in another TU thread to get. I was just hoping to be able to buy local as I'd like it right now (lol). I already called a local bicycle shop (wire too thick) and the local Gander Mtn which doesn't carry it. Btw, this is just for hard body topwater frogs and mice so the tuning wouldn't come into play I don't think.

Where do others get their wire from? I am just starting with through wire construction and I figure the 30 lb, coated, braided leader wire I was going to use isn't such a good idea.

I could have used this earlier tonight on a lure template. Pretty darned smart Gino, thank you for posting, explaining and taking pics. I just didn't get it until the pics showing It in use. I will get immediate use out of this as soon as I build it. Thanks so much for posting. Bruce