Finishing Lure Shop/Getting Started with Pencils

[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.

[Tagger]

On the beach/rivers I like gliding pencils . but usually opt for a spook .. although my best river PP this year was a 80's factory loaded 5.25" Cordell .. .. In the canal I like bouncing pencils (hawg hunter style weighting).. I call it "The trying to get the hell out of the water " look .. cast like missles too ..

[numbskull]

By calipers I mean simple mechanical ones. You will set one for your tail size, one for your head size (on swimmers) and one for the widest spot on the plug (maybe a fourth for some other area on the plug).

You will turn a cylinder with your gouge, then use your parting tool and calipers to set the 3 or 4 crucial dimensions. You will rough down close to final shape with your gouge, connect the dots with your skew, touch up with sandpaper, and start another body.

I think a 1 1/4 " skew is easier to use than a 3/4 " one, a 3/4 " roughing gouge is a good tool, although I use a 1 1/2" gouge more often (both work and the 3/4 better for final roughing). Get a simple square sided parting tool, it is better for flat ends and faster (more stable on the tool rest than the narrower diamond tool) unless you need a thin profile for detail work.

A duplicator is a mixed blessing.

[Eric Roach]

Originally Posted by numbskull

By calipers I mean simple mechanical ones. You will set one for your tail size, one for your head size (on swimmers) and one for the widest spot on the plug (maybe a fourth for some other area on the plug).

You will turn a cylinder with your gouge, then use your parting tool and calipers to set the 3 or 4 crucial dimensions. You will rough down close to final shape with your gouge, connect the dots with your skew, touch up with sandpaper, and start another body.

I think a 1 1/4 " skew is easier to use than a 3/4 " one, a 3/4 " roughing gouge is a good tool, although I use a 1 1/2" gouge more often (both work and the 3/4 better for final roughing). Get a simple square sided parting tool, it is better for flat ends and faster (more stable on the tool rest than the narrower diamond tool) unless you need a thin profile for detail work.

A duplicator is a mixed blessing.

Do you use a 1 1/4" skew for small plugs too?

What would you say the cons are to a duplicator?

[Striperknight]

Originally Posted by numbskull

By calipers I mean simple mechanical ones. You will set one for your tail size, one for your head size (on swimmers) and one for the widest spot on the plug (maybe a fourth for some other area on the plug).

I have to say this is a great tip. I only use one set and I have to stop to
adjust all the time. Time to run out and buy some more.
Do you color code or label the calipers some way? I know when i get multiple ones its gonna be hard not to mix them up.

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by Tagger

On the beach/rivers I like gliding pencils . but usually opt for a spook .. although my best river PP this year was a 80's factory loaded 5.25" Cordell .. .. In the canal I like bouncing pencils (hawg hunter style weighting).. I call it "The trying to get the hell out of the water " look .. cast like missles too ..

So can we see pics of gliding and bouncing pencils?

[mfm22]

Holy smokes nice set up !! too nice ,get it dirty ,dusty ,soon

[Eric Roach]

Originally Posted by 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.

I understand now -- thank you.