Does anyone here use plexiglass for making crankbait bills? I'm thinking about using it but I'm not sure if it will hold up under strain. I tried to break a small piece of it the other day and it took a lot of pressure to break it, but I was bending it with my hands which spread out the stress point over a larger area and maybe if there was a smaller area being stressed it would break more easily. Also, is chipping a major concern with using plexiglass? I know that it's more brittle than lexan, but I have no experience with doing this. I would really appreciate any info that you can give me.

Thanks, Fishwhittler.

most people don't use plexiglass. its not very strong.

pretty much the only bill materials i've ever seen used are lexan, micarta (circuit board) and metal.

i'd stick with lexan.

What about if you melt a strip of metal with the line tie on it into the bill perpendicular to the plexiglass?

i'm not sure what you mean by this, but it seems like it would weaken the whole thing. i wouldn't trust the strength of anything that was held together by being melted into plexiglass.

maybe i just don't understand what you mean, could you post a sketch maybe?

i'd still just stick with lexan  

You're probably right. I had better just stick with lexan or metal.

Thanks, Fishwhittler

Lexan will not hold up well. It also has a problem with become brittle when exposed to colder temps. I normally pick up a 48" long by 5" piece of 1/16" lexan for 5-7 bucks. You can also find it under the name poly carbonate. Lexan is a mfg name where as poly carbonate is a common/industry name.

I can make plenty of lures out of one strip.

Eric

Don't use plexiglass for bills, it will break in cold water.   Lexan or circut board material for you bills.   Both can be purchased from Mcmaster-Carr, look up polycarbonate and g-10.

Lexan will not hold up well. It also has a problem with become brittle when exposed to colder temps. I normally pick up a 48" long by 5" piece of 1/16" lexan for 5-7 bucks. You can also find it under the name poly carbonate. Lexan is a mfg name where as poly carbonate is a common/industry name.

I can make plenty of lures out of one strip.

Eric

just to avoid confusion, you're talking about Plexiglass, not Lexan right?

Ah Son of a monkey. Yes I was meaning to say that plexi would not hold up well. Too many things going on in the back ground at home while typing. :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[  OOPS!

Eric

Thanks guys! What thickness of lexan would you recommend?

i use 1/8".

1/16 is perfect for bass cranks.   1/32 g-10 if you go with the circut board material.

I think I'll split the difference and go with 3/32" thickness. Thanks all!

Fishwhittler