Has anyone used the premade bodies from Janns Netcraft or LPO? How'd they they turn out? I'm considering trying to make a few squarebills and flat sides this winter.

 

if you have pictures of your finished projects or some feedback, please share!

The round bodies are tough to cut the lip slot in correct for me so they didn't turn out so well. Now the D-Bait blanks are easier and I think the 4 gram ballast weight is what you want but I haven't made any lately.

 

Allen

Any pre cut blanks?

4 hours ago, Megastink said:

Any pre cut blanks?

 

Haven't tried those yet but what do you have to lose with the price? Use Devcon 2 Ton epoxy to glue the hardware in and you should be fine.

 

Allen

39 minutes ago, Munkin said:

 

Haven't tried those yet but what do you have to lose with the price? Use Devcon 2 Ton epoxy to glue the hardware in and you should be fine.

 

Allen

Can you please post a link? 

5 minutes ago, Megastink said:

Can you please post a link? 

I looked on their website and I cannot find blanks for sale.

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/wooden-bodies-blocks/

 

Here you go.

 

Allen

Here is a Dbait type crankbait I made using one of those bodies.  They made things easier now by selling the hardware.  The ballast weight in this one is a BPS tube weight  and the hook hangers I made myself with a drill.

Cutting the lip slot in a preformed balsa bait is finnacky.  I use a thick rubber band that comes on grocery produce.  Stretch it over the nose so an edge is where you want the slot and mark it with a Sharpie.  Then use a thin kerf hand saw or a reinforced cutting disk in a Dremel to cut the slot.  If the slot is not symmetrical, you can hog it out a little then fill the slot with epoxy putty and press in the lip so it is straight.

On ‎5‎/‎20‎/‎2017 at 1:28 AM, BobP said:

 If the slot is not symmetrical, you can hog it out a little then fill the slot with epoxy putty and press in the lip so it is straight.

 

The method I employ frequently with round baits.

 

Allen

@Munkin did you do a wire form through or screw eyes? I'm just curious how they hold up in balsa

That bait I made the hook hangers myself except for the belly weight which is a BPS tube weight. I use the screw in eyes to create the holes then epoxy in the hook hangers with Devcon 2 Ton. Nothing has came apart so far but then again I haven't caught anything of size on them either.

 

Allen

I don't use thru-wire anymore.  I use hand wound screw eyes epoxied into drilled holes and never had one pull out.