MSBA is proposing having a full-time display booth at the March MSBA Fishing Expo featuring a plug turning, building demonstration and we are looking for anyone who may be interested in filling 2-3 hours just turning some wood and basically doing a demo of how-to turn plugs.:D Here is how it will work.....there will be a booth provided by MSBA. If you are interested, what we would like is for you to commit to a minimum of 2-3 hours...more if you like. Turn some plugs, drill some bodies, do some thru-wiring demos....show some interesting techniques (we think the folks attending the show would be interested in seeing how plugs are turned and what goes into making them). In exchange for your time, MSBA would give you the opportunity to sell your plugs at the show during your time in the plug turning booth.;) This is in the planning stages and we are open to thoughts and ideas but what we need first is to see if any of you might have an interest in working with us towards making this happen. :btu: Feel free to post your thoughts and ideas here, if you have interest in participating, please either post here or pm me and we can talk about it further.;)

Thanks all.:D

great idea. whoever thought it up should get some free plugs. :hihi:

Sounds like a good idea Larry. Couple of questions though; How are you going to control the dust and flying wood chips? Second is the turner liable if someone (audience member) gets hurt? Accidents can happen. The lathe would have to be set up far enough away so someone couldn't reach toward it while it is spinning. Plus there is always the possibility of a piece "flying". Then the noise....surrounding booths won't be too happy with it or the dust. Just somethings to consider. The concept is good though.

Sounds like a great idea but to many thngs can go wrong.I personally have nevr had a incident turnin plugs but if i where to do it in a crowded place with the propensity of something goin wrong more than likely something would happen.Then there's the dust thing even wit a good system its gonna go everywhere the other vendors an the people with the mall might not like that.Perhaps a video or slide show would be better.I smell a marketing oppurtunity.I'm sure I've seen pen turning video's. U could probably make more money on a well made video than the plugs.

Hey Mac great minds think alike.:laughs:

As I said, the idea was proposed to us and it sounds good in theory and we are looking for just this kind of input. We would have to have a plexiglass barrier of course and work out some dust collecting system. Still in the planning stages as I said...keep the input coming.;) Thanks.:D

Originally posted by NIB
Hey Mac great minds think alike.:laughs:

I must type faster than U:laughs:

Hunt an peck.

I for one would love to watch an experianced turner, spin one up ! I will be there, putting the photographic memory to the test...This would be a great opportunity for some of the plug makers to get their name out there..

A couple pieces of 3/8" x4'x8' plexi mounted on a 2x4 frame and voila, instant crowd protection. Some shop vacs of Bassamster's dust collection system which is portable and set it up near the entrance where Guppy Lures was last year or down in the far corner. Just need to make sure ya got power enough. It could be done and MSBA must have some kind on policy in place for the rental anyway. Lots a ways there some one could get hurt if you really think about it not just from a plug turnin' demo. You could even get NIB to do it for a while!

Naturally all of the following are a priority if this is to become a reality. Power, dust, noise and crowd protection are all necessary and will be addressed if possible....if not then it won't happen.:( We feel that an interactive display of this type would be of interest to many....to those who turn and are just beginning to turn, as well as the general public who may find it interesting to see exactly what goes into making a piece of wood tempt a fish of any species to want to attack it.:drool: We are working to make it a reality and maybe add a litle fun to the show.:D

how about just setting up one lathe and each guy brings the tools used to turn their specific plug. then you could show multiple plugs turned in multiple stages. from a block of wood to a finished product. that way you don't have to actually turn the plug on site. you could say this tool was used to get this plug to this stage and this is how you go about it and so on. maybe have each of the guys brought in show how to turn their specialty plug. e.g. one guy does a needlefish, the next guy a darter. that way the range is covered and no one has to worry about injury or noise or dust or power. i'll be there whatever you decide. this sounds like fun.

For the noise maybe you could have them do the demo on a timed basis, like for 15 minutes every hour on the hour. that way its not a constant distraction. set it up at the opposite end from the presentations.

15 minutes of turning and sanding, a 15 minute demo on Through-wiring and Hardware placement, then a Q&A session followed by some time for selling your goods and/or a break for the guy working the booth.

that way the actual noise is on a limited basis

I would love to see something like this

keep me in mind as a turner if this get's off the ground....

That is what we have in mind, not a constant period of turning. Maybe turn a plug, drill it, wire it.....you get the idea. Dust will be minimal and the noise will be minimal as it only takes a few minutes to turn a blank.;)

Capesams, that would be great....if this gets legs I will get in touch with you.;) Thanks Steve.

Great idea you can place my booth right next to it. I will not mind at all. I will also donate the use of my portible dust collector.

I'll be there no matter what.:D

i'll be first in line to collect all the spun up blanks, wouldn't want people to trip on them:D

I think Mike should do a plug painting demo.....could make some serious cash on those Flag plugs ;)

Fumes would be a problem.:(

Larry - keep in mind the Electrical usage and tripping breakers, not that anything I think you guys use would be large enough "amp-wise" to create problems, --- but if tied into circuits with some other "high watt" exibitors ---- :hs:

Fumes - we don't need no stinking fumes.

Mike, your spray booth is portable righ5 :rolleyes: - Just kidding.

-IWK

All you guys are great and thanks for all the feed back. I do hope that we can get this in place for the show. :happy: I for one would spend alot of time at that booth.(always loved wood) anyway thans again and stay in touch with BigFish and BasicPatrick

MSBA Pres. 2005