Balsa Proto #1

[Redbone]

I have it in my head that I am going to make some crankbaits. My goal was to have a solid balsa body with a one wire design. Let me just say it is a pain in the arse. I am quickly seeing why everyone goes with some sort of screw design. I put the wire in today and it didnt happen the way I thought it would. Maybe the next one will be better... maybe not.

It still needs a bill, a belly weight, and paint. I'll have to see how the final product comes out.

[Genie]

Cut a slot, run the wire through belly weight, and epoxy all in place.

[Redbone]

That might be the way to go.

If anyone is making balsa cranks.. What are you using? Have you had problems with it breaking or falling apart?

[Genie]

with wood, that is the only way - imo

[bassfan586]

The few I have done I drilled holes, twisted ss wire into a loop twisted the end like a screw and epoxied it into the hole.  Bass haven't destroyed that.  A musky or plike will require thru wire construction.  To do thru wire it's easier to do before shaping.  Check out tu for a lot of good info to help shorten the learning curve.

[Redbone]

    I have sanded about 10 Cranks and I am not happy with the inconsistancy of doing it by hand. I think I may have 2 or 3 out of the bunch that will be real nice. But its still hit or miss at best.
    I am now going to try and avoid doing most of it by hand. I hope this model will be my hot bait next season.

[Redbone]

I finally went and purchased an airbrush and all the equipment. I am a little overwelmed on how hard it is to get something to look good. I am going to have to find some patience somewhere.

I only purchased the primary color pack of createx. I am seeing very quickly that I am going to have to purchase a few different colors. Premixing everything is going to be to hard to duplicate. Any suggestions?

I also did a weight test with one of my designs. I hooked 6.5lbs worth of weight and tied it to the back eye. And picked it up by the front eye. It held up great!

[eetz]

I finally went and purchased an airbrush and all the equipment.

I just started looking at airbrushes and compressors, lots of options. 

Redbone, what did you end up going with?

[Redbone]

I was stalking Craigslist for a few weeks and missed what I wanted by a few hours. I finally gave up on that tactic. Ended up getting a iwata neo from hobby lobby.40% off coupons helped there. Then I bought the air compressor from harbor freight. A new store just opened on Plainfield in GR. I had a 20% coupon there but it didn't include compressors.

[eetz]

Cool.  I liked the price of the Neo over the other Iwata brushes. 

Good luck with the painting, I hope to start the same hobby in the near future.