Finishing Lure Shop/Getting Started with Pencils

[BigFish]

If you have no lathe experience I would recommend simply turning some shapes to get a feel for the tools, possibly find a book about turning so you can get an idea of the proper technique. If you have experience try turning some known plugs as Numbscull suggests to get a feel for the process and an understanding of form and function.....also test your finished plugs (prototypes)prior to the finishing proess to make sure they perform as you wish. Its best to test them in the water naked to be sure they do as you wish prior to sealing, priming, painting so you do not waste alot of time on a plug that does not give you the proper action. I presume you also have fishing experience? You need this to know what you may be looking for in a plugs action? You don't speak much of your experience so its difficult to advise?

[Eric Roach]

Originally Posted by BigFish

If you have no lathe experience I would recommend simply turning some shapes to get a feel for the tools, possibly find a book about turning so you can get an idea of the proper technique. If you have experience try turning some known plugs as Numbscull suggests to get a feel for the process and an understanding of form and function.....also test your finished plugs (prototypes)prior to the finishing proess to make sure they perform as you wish. Its best to test them in the water naked to be sure they do as you wish prior to sealing, priming, painting so you do not waste alot of time on a plug that does not give you the proper action. I presume you also have fishing experience? You need this to know what you may be looking for in a plugs action? You don't speak much of your experience so its difficult to advise?

Aside from my friend's direct help, I'll probably take a lathe class at my local Woodcraft store.

I'm going to stick to pencils/skippers at first until I get the basics down and am able to repetitively (not perfectly) build pencils that I would choose over ones I would buy (tall order, I know).

I plan on doing a lot of testing. I have distinct actions in mind so I feel like I have clear goals (at least for this style lure).

I have about 13 year's experience striper fishing.

[numbskull]

AYC and Red cedar are pretty allergenic. Pine and Basswood are good to start with and very easy to turn.

Learn to use a skew, the rest is simple.
3 tools only. Roughing gouge, parting tool, and 1+ inch skew.
4 sets of calibers.
A long tool rest.

[Slipknot]

for pencils, I like red cedar
be careful the dust is real bad
you could seal the red cedar with epoxy and it will make it harder.
port orford cedar is fine also

[Eric Roach]

Originally Posted by numbskull

AYC and Red cedar are pretty allergenic. Pine and Basswood are good to start with and very easy to turn.

Learn to use a skew, the rest is simple.
3 tools only. Roughing gouge, parting tool, and 1+ inch skew.
4 sets of calibers.
A long tool rest.

Thanks. What is a caliber?

I met my friend at Woodcraft tonight and got some Sorby turning tools: A 3/4" roughing gouge, a 3/16" diamond parting tool & a 3/4" skew. He also mentioned these are all he ever uses for plugs.

I ordered a 12" tool rest and the 10" Vega duplicator.

I also brought home a 17" Jet drill press, a Jet wet grinder and a Rikon 4" belt/6" disc sander...I'm all done obtaining the power equipment (though still waiting for the bandsaw & air filtration unit).

All I have to do is finish the actual shop and I'm ready to begin. I'm sheetrock-ing the ceiling this weekend. Things are looking good for having it completely finished New Year's weekend.

[Slipknot]

I think he meant calipers = a measuring device

[Eric Roach]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

I think he meant calipers = a measuring device

Ah, I see.

Numbskull: Why do you recommend four sets of calipers?

[Slipknot]

that is so you can speed things up a bit by keeping them set at strategic places on the plug body so copying is quicker when you check those spots as you turn.
It's a process.