Due to the lack of a drill press and a long drill bit, I've decided to use screw eyes on my first batch of plugs. Am I making a mistake here? It seems that everyone is drilling their plugs. Does it really make a big difference?

BTW - spun my first batch this weekend - ADDICTED!

Thanks.

Motor fish,thru wire is the way to go for best strength but someguys like the screw eyes and epoxy them in. When you get the big bucks:) you can get a good deal on a drill press from Sears on sale at $99. Not the best but it works for me.
Sounds like your having fun.:D

As long as you use large, stainless steel screw eyes, and epoxy them in, you should be ok.

Jigman

I used screw eyes on my first batch also and have caught some stripers & blues on them. Besides some teeth marks, the screw eyes have held up fine. I use 1.5" & 2" on either end depending on plug body length and .5" & .75" for body hook. All epoxied in for extra strength.

Good luck.

BTW, if you are doing your plugs on a lathe, you can probably get a chuck for the lathe and do the drilling there. I do starter holes with a short bit from each end, then finish off with a long bit in my hand drill.

Jigman

When MOSES and JIGMAN speak,everyone listens.:D

Jigman, thanks.

A couple more questions. If the plug is 1 inch thick, how long would a large screw eye be? And can I get away with using the same size screw eye in the front and rear as I would use in the belly?

Also, should I screw them in before I seal? I would think so, but just want to make sure.

Thanks again.

Drill your pilot holes, then seal, then add screw eyes. Add some epoxy to the threads of the screw before you sink it. All the plugs I've done with screw eyes have been smaller freshie plugs. I'll let someone else suggest the appropriate size for saltwater plugs.

Jigman

Originally posted by justplugit
When MOSES and JIGMAN speak,everyone listens.:D

I have a few ex girlfriends that might differ with you on that :laughs: :laughs:

Jigman

Whoa! Must have been typing when everyone else replied. Thanks everyone!

I've read about drilling nightmares. Would a lathe chuck be more effective then drilling by hand? Especially for a newbie.

A lathe chuck would definitely be easier than drilling by hand. I've done centered and off-centered drilling this way and rarely lose one. Use good drill bits and you'll be fine.

Jigman

as jigman says,,start with the shorter bit then switch over to a longer one. the first drill bit will go in about 2" or so..[do both ends with the shorter bit] then switch over to the longer bit, that bit will follow the same path that the smaller one made,,,,here again don't try to drill all the way through with the longer one,,drill from both ends to meet somewhere in the middle...much easyer this way when making plugs that are 7-10" long

I've been using 1" and 1 1/2" screws on my larger plugs and so far have not had any failures. I drill a pilot hole then using a larger bit, drill in about 1/3 to 1/2 the length of the screw. Coat the screw real well with epoxy. The oversized hole fills up with the epoxy as I turn the screw in.

Wow, glad I asked. Thanks everyone!
I think I've got it now.

Drill oversized pilot holes, 1/3-1/2 length of screw,
Seal
Coat screw eyes well with epoxy,
Screw em in.

Not to change my own subject, but what kind of epoxy works well?

Thanks everyone!

For those pilot holes, use a bit that is 1/2 the diameter of the screw eye. Then, go back and hit again with a larger drill for a short section. You want the screw eye to grip the wood. The larger section at the end of the screw eye is to allow for a plug of epoxy around the screw eye. Devcon 30, 2 ton epoxy works fine for this. You can also use it as your clear coat. And yes, seal before you insert the screw eyes, but after you drill the holes. Same for any weight holes.

Jigman

You can get 2" .92 gauge SS screw eyes by catalog. I prefer them for my larger needles, as they allow me to place heavier weights without hitting the thruwire. Predrill and epoxy em in and anything that pulls one of those out deserves its freedom . For any other type plug thruwire is my choice.