Eastern White Pine

[numbskull]

EWP isn't cheap (when you buy the clear stuff) but wonderful to turn. Softer and lighter than AYC, not as light or soft as WRC (which is also very allergenic). The pine does contain some pitch. If you heat set your plugs in the oven some may leak out and discolor small spots of the paint and later the epoxy (though this is much more of an issue with sugar pine). No big deal as far as fishing plugs are concerned.

Seal with Polyurethane thinned with MS....about as safe and simple as you can get. I use VAl Oil which is not as good (but I bought 4 gallons worth before I realized PolyU was better).

[jeffthechef]

Originally Posted by numbskull

I use VAl Oil which is not as good (but I bought 4 gallons worth before I realized PolyU was better).

NS, so far, i've only used val-oil, it was recommended to me when i began last winter, but there seems to me to be alot of waste and i'm considering trying something else... why do you like the poly better? is there a specific brand you prefer and how much do you thin it for an initial seal? i prime w/ zinser cover stain and finish sealing w/ etex lite...thanks
jeff

[angler229]

I think the price difference between AYC and EWP is minimal, at least from what I've been paying. I would focus more on the function of the plug for the wood than the cost, as in the end you're still going to be spending plenty of $$.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by jeffthechef

NS, so far, i've only used val-oil, it was recommended to me when i began last winter, but there seems to me to be alot of waste and i'm considering trying something else... why do you like the poly better? is there a specific brand you prefer and how much do you thin it for an initial seal? i prime w/ zinser cover stain and finish sealing w/ etex lite...thanks
jeff

I haven't used it yet, but lots of guys do and I like how their plugs hold up. Ask Prof M or PNG, I think they use Helmsman thinned 60/40. Zinser didn't work for me very well so I prime with ZSpar white marine undercoat 105 (brush on with foam brush). It works great. I use System Three Clear Coat for epoxy, which I found to be the best, but God did I suffer learning to work with it and using it still scares me every time. Search this board about it before you try it and ruin 2 weeks worth of work.

[ProfessorM]

Originally Posted by numbskull

I use System Three Clear Coat for epoxy, and using it still scares me every time. .

Yes siree Bob.


I like Hellsman spar urethane a lot. The satin, not the gloss. PNG got me into it and I like the results. It has gone up in price to about $43 a gallon now. I also epoxy seal my red cedar and other soft woods. I just use System 3 clear coat as is and put on a heated plug.

[Back Beach]

Been turning and testing for about two weeks now and I've discovered(not surprisingly) pine is much better to work with, more bouyant, and swimming plugs in particular have great action compared to the other options. You need to add a bit more lead if its distance you want, but I'll likely be sticking primarily with pine for my stuff. Exception is I'll be experimenting with some birch for my needles when I get to them.

Look at most of the classic old plugs like musso, gibbs, and beachmaster. They're primarily made out of pine.

My other observation is if any wood plug gets more than one season of heavy use its likely going to need major refurbishment or replacement. Why bother with the exotic stuff given most wooden plugs have a limited life anyways?

[ProfessorM]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

most wooden plugs have a limited life anyways?

very good point. They are wooden fishing lures not B1 bomber parts, they will wear out and get lost, even the most expensive well built ones.