Power carve swimmer...

[Rockfish9]

seeing as I used all power tools, this little guy is not a hand carved...

I was going to post it as a Holiday carve but ran out of time...


I made it out of mahogany, for casting and swimming depth, I have also had good luck with pine and cedar...I've also made some hybreds from Mahogany( head) and cedar(tail) these swim with a tail up attitude and tend to stay closer to the surface...

This plug is sealed with BLO, primed with Zinzer oil base and rattle can painted, three or 4 coats of spray varnish provides the finish...for a little added flash, I applied a touch of glitted betweeen the first and second coat of varnish..

The plug is 5" long 15/16 wide at its head and tapers down to 1/4" at the tail, the joint is made from brass toilet chain links ,the lip is cut from lexan( the bill is 7/8" wide and 1 3/8" long) and placed at a 30 degree angle 1/2" deep and 1/2" back from the nose,#4 SS screws secure the liks on the side and belly, I used 3/4" long screw eyes that were secured by a drop of 1 hour (water proof )epoxy, I got the original specs from a 5" nils master minnow and tweaked and jointed it to fit my own needs..it swims down about 12-18" (Mahogany) with a tight frightend minnow action....

First I trace my pattern on graff paper.... I then cut it out and using spray adhesive, attach it to my block of wood...

Continued:

[Rockfish9]

Cut out the blank, I used the band saw, but I HAVE cut them with a coping saw.....

[Rockfish9]

I then draw out my flanks and bring the blank to the belt sander, again, I've done it by hand... I'm just not that ambitious any more...

[Rockfish9]

once the plug has been roughed out, I make my cuts for the bill and joint,be sure to make small chamfers on either side of the body joint , it makes a better looking, better swimming plug. I then hand sand the final contour of the plug...

[Rockfish9]

I 1/4" hole is bored in the center of the plug using a forshner bit, deep enough to facilitate the link of chain, drill and counter sink a pilot hole in one side and the belly of the plug for the retaining screws that will hold the link(s) /joint in place...at this time, I also drill my pilot holes for the screw eyes that will hold the hooks...

[Rockfish9]

Now trace out you lexan lip,I use 1/8" lexan for these, I cut mine on a schroll saw with no issues, but a band saw or coping saw will work nicely, be sure to test fit all parts, especialy the lip, I ususly need to work the slot wiht some #80 sand paper to get it to fit snugly..

[Rockfish9]

Once every thing is test fit, seal prime and paint....

Now install your swim lip, I use marine grade 60 minute 2 part epoxy to secure the lip, I also add a drop to the 3/4" long screw eyes as an added precaution..

These are great littl plugs for the first arrival schoolies, I've also had theinjhaled by fish considerably larger and they held fast....

[Jigman]

Cool plug! Interesting tutorial

Jigman

[Slipknot]

wow nice stuff Joe
Looks like a mr wiggly almost