Joint Connection Cuts

[WUMFL]

Sorry for another post but I have another question! I’ve been trying to get my joints cut out correctly and its a real challenge.

Need some tips because man its frustrating!

Making the cuts, drilling the hole in the proper spot, etc, 

I use a dremel with a little wood tip to hollow it out as of now but its really inconsistent and definitely doesn’t seem like the best way!

[Big Epp]

Keep the questions coming! I love reading the feedback from other makers and learning how they do what they do...

I hope this hits some of your points and is helpful: I start the cuts for the joint while the lure block is still square (your joint cut looks really clean and even). To mark the location for the holes I use a caliper to measure the distance from the outside of the cut to where I want the hole, and I push the caliper into the wood a bit to mark the spot. Cutting the slot for the joint hardware with a dremel is the only way I've seen it done so far. I guess with practice it gets cleaner!

[flaswimbaiter]

I do it exactly the same way, you just got to take your time And putting the bait in a vice helps. Like Big Epp said….practice practice practice 

Edited February 16, 2023 by flaswimbaiter

[trav]

If you use a bandsaw to cut the joints, making a jig like this is fairly simple. You can make it so the bait sits vertical, and have pre cut “guide cuts” to use for the bandsaw blade

[J-rod]

You can also use a forstner bit it makes more of a round hole but works as well and may be easier for you.

[WUMFL]

42 minutes ago, Big Epp said:

Keep the questions coming! I love reading the feedback from other makers and learning how they do what they do...

I hope this hits some of your points and is helpful: I start the cuts for the joint while the lure block is still square (your joint cut looks really clean and even). To mark the location for the holes I use a caliper to measure the distance from the outside of the cut to where I want the hole, and I push the caliper into the wood a bit to mark the spot. Cutting the slot for the joint hardware with a dremel is the only way I've seen it done so far. I guess with practice it gets cleaner!

 

31 minutes ago, flaswimbaiter said:

I do it exactly the same way, you just got to take your time And putting the bait in a vice helps. Like Big Epp said….practice practice practice 

Gotcha! I guess I gotta just keep doing it, you guys think I have the right dremel bit for the job?

[WUMFL]

8 minutes ago, J-rod said:

You can also use a forstner bit it makes more of a round hole but works as well and may be easier for you.

Not a bad idea, just gotta be sure that type of hole would work for the action I want!

[danthefisherman]

Take your time and practice practice practice.

I cut my joints with a handsaw without using a jig even after everything is fully carved. Drawing out where the joint should be with a pencil helps a lot.

For the joint connection, I always install the screw eyes first to ensure that I position the slots exactly where they need to be. I then line the segments up, mark with a pencil, and start hacking away with an exacto knife. No Dremel for me.

[flaswimbaiter]

The bit you are using is very similar to the one I use.  I believe that starting small and working bigger keeps you from making bigger mistakes if that makes sense.

[azsouth]

try to get your bait out of your hands when cutting joints! vise, clamp or anything that will be steadier than hand to hand cutting. Dremel in one hand and bait in the other is the perfect ingredients for a tragic ending.

[Big Epp]

This is the bit I've been using lately and I'm happy with it so far...

[WUMFL]

10 hours ago, Big Epp said:

This is the bit I've been using lately and I'm happy with it so far...

That seems perfect! What bit is thar?

[Big Epp]

3 hours ago, WUMFL said:

That seems perfect! What bit is thar?

I think it's the 194 Carving Bit: https://www.dremel.com/us/en/p/194-26150194ac

[azfisher]

On 2/15/2023 at 6:33 PM, WUMFL said:

Sorry for another post but I have another question! I’ve been trying to get my joints cut out correctly and its a real challenge.

Need some tips because man its frustrating!

Making the cuts, drilling the hole in the proper spot, etc, 

I use a dremel with a little wood tip to hollow it out as of now but its really inconsistent and definitely doesn’t seem like the best way!

Lots of great advice above.  I use the same dremel and round burr bit as what you have. 

  I make two lines marking the top and the bottom of each screw slot. I'll cut a groove along each line to define the slot area. I use a bandsaw or just cut  into the lines with a razor knife to make a groove. 

  I drill a hole larger than the dremel bit, with a reg drill bit in the middle of the slot, to what will be the back of the cavity. I turn the dremel down to about the 2nd lowest speed, it's easier to control and keep it from blowing out or running off on you.  Slide the D tip in and work back and forth slowly to hollow out the cavity. Patience and practice win this race.

  What really helps round out the cavity smoother for me is a small wood gouge, just kind of peel out the wood somewhat like a melon baller. I hold the bait in my free hand to use the gouge but wear a carving glove for protection, they work BTW.  Then sand the cavity smooth so the hardware can't hang up in the slot.

    Just a suggestion, maybe make the slot a little deeper so the hinge pin has a little more wood around it for strength.  I'm sure it'll hold up to fish,  but smack a tree, a rock or dock and the joint might crack. I broke a several that way.  Good looking bait, keep it up, look forward to seeing it finished with a fish hanging from it!!

[WUMFL]

On 2/17/2023 at 5:32 PM, azfisher said:

Lots of great advice above.  I use the same dremel and round burr bit as what you have. 

  I make two lines marking the top and the bottom of each screw slot. I'll cut a groove along each line to define the slot area. I use a bandsaw or just cut  into the lines with a razor knife to make a groove. 

  I drill a hole larger than the dremel bit, with a reg drill bit in the middle of the slot, to what will be the back of the cavity. I turn the dremel down to about the 2nd lowest speed, it's easier to control and keep it from blowing out or running off on you.  Slide the D tip in and work back and forth slowly to hollow out the cavity. Patience and practice win this race.

  What really helps round out the cavity smoother for me is a small wood gouge, just kind of peel out the wood somewhat like a melon baller. I hold the bait in my free hand to use the gouge but wear a carving glove for protection, they work BTW.  Then sand the cavity smooth so the hardware can't hang up in the slot.

    Just a suggestion, maybe make the slot a little deeper so the hinge pin has a little more wood around it for strength.  I'm sure it'll hold up to fish,  but smack a tree, a rock or dock and the joint might crack. I broke a several that way.  Good looking bait, keep it up, look forward to seeing it finished with a fish hanging from it!!

Thanks! A lot of good info here. Too bad about the carving glove thing. A day before this was posted I got hit bad with the utility knife I was carving gills with. Put me out of business for a few days! Thankfully its healing well without stitches. Posted below, just a warning but most people here I feel like arent squeamish. No blood though in the picture since thats days after it happened. Not fun!