VanW Posted January 26, 2021 Report Share Posted January 26, 2021 I'm trying to make a Yozuri Bonito style trolling plug with my 3d printer. I have the lure going well enough but I'm not sure what to use for wire. The ones I see have a 2mm bigger through wire. I'm thinking about using some 0.0625 I found on ebay but I'm not sure it's big enough. I tried using AFW 360 lb #19 and it's surely not big enough. Also any tips on how or what to use to bend this stuff would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastman03 Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 Welcome here first of all! I'm not totally familiar with the lure that you are making, but I use .062" wire in my muskie lures. I typically get my wire in the form of Stainless Steel Tig welding rod. Available almost everywhere, and comparatively cheap, and straight! This wire come is lots of sizes, so if you needed you can get .09" (3/32) as well or whatever you need. I have some of the .09 stuff for certain applications, and that stuff is hard to bend! The .062" stuff isn't too hard. Invest in some really good round nosed pliers (anything from KNIPEX is amazing). You can make jigs to help bend wire consistently if you are going to do the same lure over and over. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exx1976 Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 This guy has a great how-to for wire bending jigs. Having just started thru-wire myself, I plan to make one following his guidance. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastman03 Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 I've been meaning to make a bending tool like this as well. Anyone that makes lures will probably have most of their questions answered if they watch all of his videos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exx1976 Posted January 28, 2021 Report Share Posted January 28, 2021 (edited) Got this far with a hacksaw, bastard file, and a drill press in about 30 mins. It's really easy. I used a 3/8x4" stainless bolt. Gonna go get some dinner while I wait for the CA to set, then make the handle and the jig. I even got a rattle can of plastidip, just like the the video! LOL There was a lot of stuff I needed to do this, so your shopping list may vary, but I bought: 3/8x4" SS bolt and two nuts rattle can of plastidip bastard file 5/32" drill bit Can of WD-40 to use as lubricant Box of nails (I forget what size) Compass/scribe Center punch I already have some 1/2" plywood here to use for a knob/handle, as well as the jig. The above shopping list was about $75 at the local "convenience" hardware store. Probably would have saved $10-15 had I driven to a big box store, but I like the little guy, and it's MUCH closer. Edited January 28, 2021 by exx1976 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Epp Posted January 29, 2021 Report Share Posted January 29, 2021 I use .062" stainless lock wire for big stuff. For smaller baits I use .041" or .032" all stainless steel wire though, and I heard type 306 stainless is good for saltwater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
