01-27-2009, 03:00 AM
Thanks for the input. I've worked a little more with both the powdercoating and the vinyl paint/thinners as you guys have suggested. By no means am I a pro at either.
With the powdercoating method, carefully heating the lure head and not the swivel, dipping and immediately "knocking" the needlenose pliers on the side of the powder jar to knock the excess powder off, then working the swivel immediately after powder application I'm getting very little to no waste. Also after curing I double-check the swivels and work any that may have stuck, freeing them up before they cool. Doing this I have maybe 1-2 bad ones out of a batch of 50. Smaller sizes take more care but are doable.
The vinyl paints, at least for me at this stage of my learning curve, are much more time consuming and the finish isn't coming out nearly as flat and smooth as the powder ones. But, there is zero waste. Still have a somewhat rougher finish and overall appearance than the powder. Plus the fumes relegate me to doing it outside.
But, I'm getting better each time on both versions, and am excited to see the progress. I have a bunch out of my last batch that are very good (for me) and look store-bought. I will be sending these to my nephew as a birthday gift and hope he will be putting them to good use.
I did have a brainstorm moment the other day and thought I'd share. My wife has a rub-on transfer tool that I used for the eyes, makes life easier than using a brush. Also cleanup is a snap, just wipe clean. They don't sell the exact one anymore, but this is a similiar one: [url "http://www.americancrafts.com/subcategory.php?id=22&sub=126"]http://www.americancrafts.com/subcategory.php?id=22&sub=126[/url] . The one I "acquired" from my wife was plastic and had no ball on the end. Not sure if this one will work exactly the same, but if not it looks like you could easily file off the end and then round it off and it would work the same.
For the pupils I simply used a toothpick and cut the tip slightly depending on the size of the paint drop I wanted. You guys probably have a better way, but this saved me a bunch of time and actually came out better than me using a brush.
Thanks for the input. Funny thing is, since I've been making my own lures, I've yet to lose one. All the while I was buying them I was going through 3-5 a day. Now I've been fishing 2-3 days with the same one, haven't lost it yet. Plus it looks pretty crude, but the fish don't seem to mind as they're hitting it. I've made a bunch that look a whole lot better than that one, but If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right! Go figure.
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With the powdercoating method, carefully heating the lure head and not the swivel, dipping and immediately "knocking" the needlenose pliers on the side of the powder jar to knock the excess powder off, then working the swivel immediately after powder application I'm getting very little to no waste. Also after curing I double-check the swivels and work any that may have stuck, freeing them up before they cool. Doing this I have maybe 1-2 bad ones out of a batch of 50. Smaller sizes take more care but are doable.
The vinyl paints, at least for me at this stage of my learning curve, are much more time consuming and the finish isn't coming out nearly as flat and smooth as the powder ones. But, there is zero waste. Still have a somewhat rougher finish and overall appearance than the powder. Plus the fumes relegate me to doing it outside.
But, I'm getting better each time on both versions, and am excited to see the progress. I have a bunch out of my last batch that are very good (for me) and look store-bought. I will be sending these to my nephew as a birthday gift and hope he will be putting them to good use.
I did have a brainstorm moment the other day and thought I'd share. My wife has a rub-on transfer tool that I used for the eyes, makes life easier than using a brush. Also cleanup is a snap, just wipe clean. They don't sell the exact one anymore, but this is a similiar one: [url "http://www.americancrafts.com/subcategory.php?id=22&sub=126"]http://www.americancrafts.com/subcategory.php?id=22&sub=126[/url] . The one I "acquired" from my wife was plastic and had no ball on the end. Not sure if this one will work exactly the same, but if not it looks like you could easily file off the end and then round it off and it would work the same.
For the pupils I simply used a toothpick and cut the tip slightly depending on the size of the paint drop I wanted. You guys probably have a better way, but this saved me a bunch of time and actually came out better than me using a brush.
Thanks for the input. Funny thing is, since I've been making my own lures, I've yet to lose one. All the while I was buying them I was going through 3-5 a day. Now I've been fishing 2-3 days with the same one, haven't lost it yet. Plus it looks pretty crude, but the fish don't seem to mind as they're hitting it. I've made a bunch that look a whole lot better than that one, but If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right! Go figure.
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