Don't misread my post...I respect you guys for doing this...I love and own many of your creations...I know how much effort you put into it, I notice your detials...but it seems to me a real tough way to make a buck... A fun way to a point, sure, but lots of effort. It is one thing to make a few plugs for yourself and have fun and "save" a few bucks (I say "save" because the breakeven payout after you buy all the equipment (not counting your hours) is probably 1000 plugs or more), but it is another thing to produce 1000's of *consistant* plugs day in and day out. My hats off to guys like habs and salty and some of the others who do this seriously. I don't know how you do it!...but I am glad you do.
That is why I see the plastic injection work and out-sourcing the detail work as the only real way to profit in the long term. You can't do everthing thing yourself and expect to mass produce *and* make money. I just can't concieve of having to put 3000 trebles on plugs. (my hands would be raw!) or having to sand them all. There is a BIG difference between a few for yourself and friends and mass producing them.
But I agree with you I would rather fish a hand crafted wood then a jap produced plastic anyday....
My point is I think if i were to get into it for money...I would invest in a overseas out sourcing effort to produce a plastic product and would spend my time in R&D (read...fishing!
) But I'm an engineer/fishermen not a custom plug maker
My hats off to you guys!