Grommets

[Back Beach]

These things annoy me and thus I haven't installed them on any of my hardwood plugs. As for my pine stuff, It looks like they may be necessary, but I'm experimenting on some of my pine stuff with 1/4" holes and using 330# krok swivels which are pretty narrow and fit perfectly in a 1/4 hole. Add the epoxy coat for toughness and it makes me wonder if you even need these things at all, even on pine?
Lets hear some opinions...are grommets like chrome on a Harley(just for show) or do they provide meaningful protection?

[angler229]

I'm assuming you are referring to belly grommets which are not necessary. They help to protect the swivel holes from breaking down and dress up the plug. I think it just comes down to personal preference.

[JFigliuolo]

For mysel I countersink the holes and forget about it. If I'm trying to make a pretty plug I'll use a grommet. I seal w/epoxy though, so even cedar gets pretty stong after sealing. If sealing with another method I may make a different choice.

[jeffthechef]

necessary, probably not. i think they are more than just window dressing though. they help protect the wood from getting split and splintered in a critical area, lots of abrasion and contact there, especially on a plug that sees a lot of water, action and fish. for the low price and ease of installation, considering all the time i put into each plug, why not give them that extra edge? i don't do it for looks, i paint over a lot of mine anyway.

[Vogt]

Look at builders such as Habs and Tattoo. Both have great fish catching plugs that last, and no belly grommets.

[BigFish]

I like using them! I like a nice finished look to my plugs! I guess you either like them or you don't! Some guys think the swivel bangs against the grommets and adds a little "tick, tick" to the sound of the plug?? I guess there might be something to that! I just enjoy using them!

[eastendlu]

You spend $2000.00 building a plug whats another 2 cents .

[jeffthechef]

Originally Posted by eastendlu

You spend $2000.00 building a plug whats another 2 cents .

i read that and laugh....then cry at the truth of it!

[Slipknot]

I tend to only use the belly grometts on boutique plugs

[JFigliuolo]

Originally Posted by BigFish

I like using them! I like a nice finished look to my plugs! I guess you either like them or you don't! Some guys think the swivel bangs against the grommets and adds a little "tick, tick" to the sound of the plug?? I guess there might be something to that! I just enjoy using them!

Do you! love! grommets! as much as you! do! the exclamation poiint?!!!!!!!!!!

[BigFish]

Originally Posted by JFigliuolo

Do you! love! grommets! as much as you! do! the exclamation poiint?!!!!!!!!!!

Yup! I do!!

[mfm22]

They work ..keeps swivel from wearing out wood .
easy enough to install ..just be careful I ran into a situation where .341 grom's were not same size as others . both diameter and depth .
Just make a test hole and heck for fit [separate pc of scrap]

[ProfessorM]

i like em , don't luv em, like em

[Pete F.]

No grommets for me, I epoxied a ball rasp into a handle and just ease the edges of the 5/16 hole.

[The Dad Fisherman]

I use them on everything accept thin profiled Needlefish....I just like the clean look they give.

[BigFish]

Kevin.....use these.>!!!!!

[Tagger]

I use them, but paint then in so they don't show .. I fit them tight and then marine epoxy them in .. I feel the are needed under the weight of the fish to prevent the barrel swivel from working on the edge of the hole .

[numbskull]

You need a grommitizer, then you'd like them.

[eastendlu]

Originally Posted by numbskull

You need a grommitizer, then you'd like them.

Guess i will have to make some more.I just left the toolroom lu tools are being produced.

[ProfessorM]

if you use the right size drill there is no need for any tools. Look to letter size drills also and 64th sizes. I also do most of my machining off the belly holes so I need them to be precision. Mine go in snug and after epoxy I challenge anyone to remove them, without ruining the plug. Every time I see Stan K. he tells me about that tool, been well over a 15 years now. I just tell him to use the right size drill.I am also not a fan of the counter bored hole look. i like the smooth grommetized look much better, but to each his own. just my useless 2 cents, peanut gallery, devils advocate, observation.

[Diggin Jiggin]

I didn't use them on my maple stuff last year and I did not have any problems.

For plugs with a lot of action like poppers and pencils I think they do offer protection to the wood around the belly holes which takes lots of abuse form the swinging hooks.. For swimming plugs I like them as they distribute a little more weight on the belly of the plug which should lessen roll.

I countersunk mine this year so I don't have to deal with rounding them over. I've painted them before but sometimes the paint chips off the grommets

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

if you use the right size drill there is no need for any tools. Look to letter size drills also and 64th sizes. . just my useless 2 cents, peanut gallery, devils advocate, observation.

Good advice Paul...most of my belly holes were done before I had the grommets in hand. I drilled the belly holes based on the grommet specs, but they were in 1/16 increments, not 1/64. Needless to say if I asked you this question weeks ago I wouldn't have started this thread, my grommets would be tighter fitting, and perhaps my disdain for them would be less...

Lesson learned is always consult the Professor first....

[saltydog]

Be-ing a Hand Carver I like using them! it gives MY PLUGS a nice finished look . I need all the HELP I can get.
GOOD LUCK GOOD PLUGGIN

[mfm22]

I play wack a mole grommet holes reamed to a good fit prior to seal/prime/paint after which fit is tight -whack 'em in.

[eastendlu]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

if you use the right size drill there is no need for any tools. Look to letter size drills also and 64th sizes. I also do most of my machining off the belly holes so I need them to be precision. Mine go in snug and after epoxy I challenge anyone to remove them, without ruining the plug. Every time I see Stan K. he tells me about that tool, been well over a 15 years now. I just tell him to use the right size drill.I am also not a fan of the counter bored hole look. i like the smooth grommetized look much better, but to each his own. just my useless 2 cents, peanut gallery, devils advocate, observation.

Paul i do the same thing but you know i am always looking for an excuse to make a new tool. Btw how is that Stan Kuzia tail weight mold coming along?









Had to throw that in for Bruce........................

[ProfessorM]

Originally Posted by eastendlu

Paul i do the same thing but you know i am always looking for an excuse to make a new tool. Btw how is that Stan Kuzia tail weight mold coming along?









Had to throw that in for Bruce........................

mean your mean, still half done

[BILLC]

Thank you for the tips fellas. I guess I'm thinking through things more than I have too. I already have lettered bits and the wood laying around for shaping.

[eastendlu]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

mean your mean, still half done

Paul just bustin them!!

[ProfessorM]

Originally Posted by eastendlu

Paul just bustin them!!

LOL. I know. Don't forget i work in the type of business that has turned out some of the greatest ball buster mankind has ever seen.