Having a problem with handcarves...

[the greek]

There are many ways and none are right or wrong but this is what works for me. Mark nose center and tail center and then through drill on the lathe. Then take a 1/4" forstner and drill your belly hole to where you bottom out just at the through wire hole. I don't like to be too deep. The 1/4" looks small but is plenty big, any bigger and your hangers will be bigger and tend to fold. Keep them small. You don't want the hanger to be too loose or you will have trouble keeping it centered when you fill it. I did a long post with pics at the other place on this [drilling and weighting handcarveds]. A small 1/8 inch s/s rivet head makes a great tail grommet for thin tailed baits. If you need metal for lips and some rivets pm me. I could throw a hanger or two in to let you see how I make them.