Guest Report post Posted February 20, 2013 Tried some outa balsa wood...Wrapped thread around real tight cuz they acted like they might split before painting...I like cork better, I think...Later DL http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/medium/102_1014.JPG http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/medium/101_1029.JPG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kirk Dietrich 0 Report post Posted February 20, 2013 Den, those look really good. I like the curved top. If you want to toughen them up, after the body dries on the hook, apply some supper thin CA to the balsa, it soaks in the top layer of balsa and toughens it pretty good - picked that trick up from spin fishing lure making friends. Also, I learned from an old bug maker to use mid weight balsa (9 - 12 lbs per foot). I ordered some from Lone Star Balsa and it is a world better than the lightweight balsa typically found in hobby shops that carry it for model airplane makers. Very nice bugs, thanks for sharing. Kirk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stippled Popper 0 Report post Posted February 20, 2013 Those are very nice. But I think they look a bit thick for pencil poppers. . . more like the Saltwater in shape. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted February 20, 2013 Your right Stipple they are semi pencil poppers intended for specks/reds in salt marsh..Long heads w/long tails and no legs..... The green one prolly put some rubber legs and spots for ole bucket mouth...I started to post in saltwater... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted February 20, 2013 Thanks Kirk...the wealth of info/ knowledge around here is amazing. But what is "CA"....never been accused of being the sharpest knife in da drawer... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kirk Dietrich 0 Report post Posted February 20, 2013 Den, CA is "Super glue". It comes in different viscosities. I use the super thin viscosity for wood hardening - it'll make that balsa almost hard as a rock. I forgot to mention, the lightweight balsa is considered to be between 6 - 9 lbs per foot. If you Google Lone Star Balsa, you can talk to the owner and tell him you want mid-weight. The heavy weight is between 12 - 16 lbs per foot, he told me it is almost like Basswood. I think it has to do with the grain density. But for working with what you have, the hardening treatment works well, I even do that on the midweight. Doing so raises the grain slightly and when you sand that down, you have a really good base for painting. Additionally, if you finish chips off, it offers the wood some protection from absorbing water being that it penetrates the wood and hardens creating a nice seal. Kirk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phish 0 Report post Posted February 20, 2013 Sweet! I like it when things are made out of wood. I was in a local Sears and they had some long cork but not enough of them but will check another store out today to see if they plenty. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chefben4 0 Report post Posted February 20, 2013 Nice job! I like em'. I think they will do great in warmwater. In my neck of the woods largemouth would be all over those! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted February 21, 2013 Moving along to the "cark" ones... http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/102_1034.JPG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tidewaterfly 0 Report post Posted February 21, 2013 Den, those are all great looking! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billyzj 0 Report post Posted February 25, 2013 Man those look good,just got me some balsa blocks,hoping to start mine soon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted February 26, 2013 The lot... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
