Poplar question?????

[Flaptail]

I rencently was purusing the various woods at a Lowes while wifey poo was checking out stuff for a home reno that's in my near future. I found some 2"x2"x3' pieces ( got porked for them I know) but but 3. Took it home cut it down and turned a few. Man o Man does that stuff turn nice (the pieces were very light in color, no green showing). It turns like butta! Seemed to do well in the sealer mix and they are drying now. Have any of you used this stuff and if you have do you like it and where, if it is advisable to use more can I get some at a more reasonable price?

[Slipknot]

I pay about 2 bucks per board foot at Heritage Woodwrights in Freetown for 4/4 stock poplar. 8/4 stock would cost just a bit more per board foot.

As long as you are sealing it good, I suppose it may be OK but I'll let you know that poplar wood does not do well in contact with water because it will rot quicker than other woods. If they aren't expected to hold up for years, then go ahead and use it but I can think of many better types of wood to use for plugs. I have used it before since I have plenty of scraps but I'd rather use AYC or even basswood these days.

Maybe I should take a trip to Attleboro to get a load of AYC and maybe others might go in on it.

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

I pay about 2 bucks per board foot at Heritage Woodwrights in Freetown for 4/4 stock poplar. 8/4 stock would cost just a bit more per board foot.

As long as you are sealing it good, I suppose it may be OK but I'll let you know that poplar wood does not do well in contact with water because it will rot quicker than other woods. If they aren't expected to hold up for years, then go ahead and use it but I can think of many better types of wood to use for plugs. I have used it before since I have plenty of scraps but I'd rather use AYC or even basswood these days.

Maybe I should take a trip to Attleboro to get a load of AYC and maybe others might go in on it.

I am in if you do the AYC thing. I know Numbskull would be in on it too Bruce. I was going to call you anyway.

[JHABS]

There are better woods to use than POOPULAR .Right Slip

[ProfessorM]

Hey Bruce do they have any 2"x2" or 1.75" x 1.75" Ayc stock. The 1.5"x 1.5" stock I have just isn't big enough for what I want to make. I should say anything 1.75" or 2.0" thick, 2.0" would be the best, any width I can rip down. Paul

[Jigman]

I used poplar for a while. It is decent stuff, depending on what you want to make. It is a little more dense than AYC. I believe there are a few commercial builders that use if? I know one of the guys on SOL uses it a lot, and his plugs are well sought after. I know I like to beat the snot out of them

Seal it well, it will do fine.

Jigman

[UserRemoved1]

[BigFish]

Scott....how you doing? I know your a "poplar" guy! How do you find it works for you?

[basswipe]

Regardless of how dry it is and how well you seal poplar it has no application being near water or changes in temperature.

The only reason a commercial plug builder would use it I would assume is because its cheap enough and looks killer when first painted.

[Tagger]

We use a lot of poplar for interior finish thats to be painted .. If it gets wet, it gets tossed as it will go whoopy.. I guess if you seal it well . Sh#t ,,hardwoods split if you don't seal them well .....cedar /white pine would be my first choice for surface lures .

[Flaptail]

Thanks everyone. I got a bunch of red cedar and a couple plugs out of the poplar doing the 24 hour dunk in 50/50 val oil/turpentine. Hey they are just for me so if they disintergrate no big woop. Ones I dunked and dried already held up well and really took the juice. We will see what we will see.

[gone fishin]

I picked some up in Attleborough just recently -- he only had 4 footers that were decent and at that some had a bad grain. Didn't like drilling straight on big lengths. Call him first. He does have some dimension stock out of AYC too. I think 4 x 4 was his biggest Paul.

[Montaukmaniac]

Flaptail,
Just my opinion...
I have poplar plugs that are 10 years old and beaten up good and they weigh the same as when I made them. If you use a sealer on poplar may I suggest straight TUNG oil. Soak it and let dry then buff with a light steel wool (this closes the pores good). FACT...It dries faster than linseed and penetrates better into tight grain woods. It is more expensive, but well worth it. Poplar as mentioned is just a bit denser than AYC, but it has it's applications depending on what you want your plug to do. For instance, I make Danny's out of poplar when I want to drive my plug down on the backside of a wave and let it rise slowly to the top (like a dieing fish). Cedar Danny's are like corks in the water, but this too can be desireable at times. The one thing about this hobby is that there are no rules. Experiment...you'll be surprised what you come up with. Good luck !

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by Montaukmaniac

Flaptail,
Just my opinion...
I have poplar plugs that are 10 years old and beaten up good and they weigh the same as when I made them. If you use a sealer on poplar may I suggest straight TUNG oil. Soak it and let dry then buff with a light steel wool (this closes the pores good). FACT...It dries faster than linseed and penetrates better into tight grain woods. It is more expensive, but well worth it. Poplar as mentioned is just a bit denser than AYC, but it has it's applications depending on what you want your plug to do. For instance, I make Danny's out of poplar when I want to drive my plug down on the backside of a wave and let it rise slowly to the top (like a dieing fish). Cedar Danny's are like corks in the water, but this too can be desireable at times. The one thing about this hobby is that there are no rules. Experiment...you'll be surprised what you come up with. Good luck !

Thanks MM! Good solid info there for sure. This board and members like you and the other guys are treasures. So much info to help the learning curve. I would be lost without this board if I was trying to do this on my own. Thanks agai n to you and all the others.

[Raven]

poplar is a great tree: it grows 60 feet tall in ten years and then dies.

the wood is prized (praised or loved) by painters because the grain doesnt raise up like other woods
requiring second and third sandings before additional coats of paint...and is often chosen for window casings or sills.

just thought i'd add in that little tibit of knowledge.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by Montaukmaniac

The one thing about this hobby is that there are no rules. !

i seem to recall that there's many rules to being a good plug ho.

[Montaukmaniac]

Raven,

If you can't play nice...get out of the sand box !

[Raven]

that was playing nice....

....pffff

[Karl F]

poplar, might not be popular with some, but, it will make a nice plug, and catch fish

have made needles and poppers out of it, they seem to be holding the finish OK.

I think, as has been mentioned here, seal real well.. I dip mine a long time anyway, no matter what kinda wood.

maybe it won't last as long as other woods.. but, yer gonna make more... right? .. and if your lucky enuf, the fish will beat them up for you anyway.

If I get scraps of it, I use it. If I was spending dough out of pocket, it would not be where I'd put my cash... guess that's the bottom line.

[Raven]

i wasnt calling you or anyone else a plug ho...here...

it was just a humorous comment playing apon what you said
that there are No rules... the statement: in question.

and i've been HERE playing nice for many years now....
but then again i have an extremely short fuse lately,
so dont light it.

[bassmaster]

You cheap bassturd U actually spent some of the polock money

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by bassmaster

You cheap bassturd U actually spent some of the polock money

I don't like Polock I like codfish, you want to part with som AYC since you ain't doing anything with it lately?

I am comin to ho you with Stifftip soon. Be afraid, be very afraid.