Startup costs so far...not too bad
 

I know someone asked me to report this so here goes...

Jet 1220 Lathe $450

Vega Midi Duplicator $250

Wood/paint/supplies $275

Happy meal for my 2yo $ 4.75

Drill press $ 0- I have one at work

Sub total so far: $ 979.75


Less gift card for lathe $ (200)

Sale of other hobby equip $ (250)


Grand total so far $ 529.75


Only thing left is hooks, sealer, and man hours. Should be under way by late next week.

No doubt you could spend quite a bit less on a lathe and duplicator if you're patient enough to look and wait for a deal. Only reason I got the Jet lathe was I had a gift card to help offset the expense.

What, no table top sander, no Chop Saw, No Shop Vac.......I can't let your 1st plug cost less than $1000.....it just wouldn't be right :hihi:

Don't worry,,, even if he gets off cheap for the first few it will only be a matter of time before he is buying a bunch of stuff he "HAS TO HAVE" then the $/plug ratio will skyrocket......:uhuh::uhuh::uhuh::uhuh:

tsk tsk tsk...
think of all the eels you could have bought.....

yeah...make your own plugs...save money...

:hihi:..
whoever listens to that.. I got some great waterfront property to sell you...
I am only available to show it to you at low tide tho.....

aint that the truth... my first plug was made using a $2 pocket knife and a few odds and ends swiped from the old mans private stashes....things have changed a bit...

:laugha:

I'll probably get a belt sander in time, already have the shop vac and a good assortment of hand saws.

I figure with the 20 blanks I have, 10 will be FUBAR, 5 will come out ok but will not catch fish thus forcing me to buy eels, and I'll give the other three or four away to my enemies.

Therefore, my first personal plug will probably run right up around $1000, so no need to fret just yet....

:biglaugh:

I'm afraid to tell you how much the first barrel of wine I ever made cost me :bath:

My wife said I could have bought a case of Silver Oak considerably cheaper than what it cost me to make it :hee:

Looks like the plugs are going in the same direction.

enjoy it, why? because no matter how you look at it your going to have a couple thousand dollars in tools and supplies and by time the season starts you will most likely have 12 danny's, all in your least favorite color scheme because you gave your favorites away. A couple of pencils that have a so so top coat and if your lucky a few pikie blanks that fell under the your work bench but you hated the shape anyway.

...and dont' forget a dust collector.

These guys are all just trying to scare you.In the end you will have the last laugh as you fish next to a guy with a z-bass or van staal and turn and laugh at them cause you are fishing with a lure that is worth more than those two reels combined.:rotf2:

HAHAHAHA.......

Then, after you buy all your new plug building tools, you'll realize your shop isn't big enough, or needs to be re-arranged and remodeled....ahhh, just another couple G's. Just happened to a buddy of mine.....got into plug building then decided to go and build an addition on his shed to make more room!!!!! :kewl:

your right on track. can't wait to get my first BB plug,.

When you weren't looking I kicked your dog.........you can go ahead and put me on the list :hee:

fast forward to 2025
 

:grins:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...b1/factory.jpg

HAHAHAHA thanks for the laugh.:biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh:

compressor ?? you really do need a bandsaw ...

Funny because it's true...

No Spray Booth and air brush setup?

No 200 bottles of paint and primers to cover the visible :confused:spectrum?

I with you on this,,,, Always thinking ahead,,,

I want to get on the list early as well since someones first newborn plugs are the toughest to get,,,,,:buds::buds:

See if RJ can round up all my tools and bandsaw I left at his house, to bring you this weekend. Hope you plan on making some horse-cock pikies. Got a bunch of Danny bodies all done, if you want to practice your epoxying and wiring too. Too bad you started this after I moved.

You got the plug making equipment and the shop plus all the tools needed. How about the boat, fishing gear, and the time to feed this monster. If, if, you are ever completely satisfied, expect to get fired or worse, divorced. My dear departed Dad always told me "he who dies with the most toys---wins".

Late additions...:)
 

Sears Craftsman lathe tools- $115

Digital scale (like the potheads use :smokin:) for lead and body weighing, of course $25

Extra calipers and bench vise- $50

Seeing Numbskull wretching in disbelief=priceless

I was thinking about the bandsaw, but I'm making some jigs up for my miter box that should work well :think:.

I don't have much room left in my basement...pretty sure you've seen the little corner I've been forced into by the higher ups in my household... I'm a pathetic soul, no doubt.:alright:

You NEED the Bandsaw....

:uhuh:

Get a band saw.....small benchtop model will run you a little more than a hundred bucks! Small price to pay for straight lip slots! When I started I was cutting my slots with a small hand saw.....it sucked! Get the band saw....next to a lathe its the most important tool you will have for plug building!

:laugha:

I'm probably starting to look like one of those guys who buys a van staal and expects to catch multiple 50's simply because he bought a nice reel...are you saying my plugs will trump the likes of Musso and Pichney simply by purchasing a band saw? If so, I'll place the order right now...:uhuh: :laugha:

I plan on testing out my system first as I really like to learn the hard way sometimes...after I create a pile of kindling perhaps I'll make the purchase...I actually watched Numbskull cut one by hand and it came out real nice...I'm not going to pirate his technique over the internet and call it my own, though. I'm sure he's revealed it here already at some point.

Awesome advise... been there done that... if you buy the band saw I'll post a picture of the jig I use with my Craftsman table top..

Well, See....now you need to build a detached workshop....should ONLY run you another $5k.....and you definitely NEED one

I've been doing this for a few years now and find I need fewer and fewer things to make plugs that catch fish. And fewer types of plugs that I make.
You just need enough stuff to have fun unless collecting plugmaking stuff is your hobby, or you are trying to make it a business.:smash:
Here is what I spent
Lathe used craftsman $50
Used socket firmer and gouge $10 made handles myself
Scale from harbor freight $15
Bandsaw, chopsaw and table saw I had If I had to have just one I would get a small bandsaw.
Drill press I had, a small one will do it if you thru drill on the lathe
Needlenose pliers with one jaw ground round $5
End knippers, linemans cheap set from sears $15?
Drill bits I had but you could buy an inexpensive set and then replace the ones you really use with good ones.
This does'nt count expendables like wood (free), sealer, rattle cans, epoxy, sandpaper, lips, swivels, wire, hooks but you can pick those up for the price of a half a dozen Gibbs plugs