badbub19 Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 So, I'm about to dive into my first rat build. I'm using basswood, and have all my hardware on order. I don't want to paint it but more just wood stain it a medium brown. I'm not artistic enough to get into a bunch of detail like most of you, so this will probably turn out more like a M.S. baby possum than a rat. My questions are, can I use a basic wood stain then seal the bait with a sealer without killing my color? Or should the sealant go first? I'm thinking about going the super glue route to seal. Any better options? And would an epoxy be necessary if I'm not going to paint? Also, how the heck do you guys anchor the hitchhiker for the tail? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cifealy Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 I have been experimenting recently and have made a few rats. I haven't posted any yet, I need to get on it I guess;) The best way to learn is trial and error. None of the builds I have done are perfect yet but I have caught fish on them. I am no expert and I am sure other people may have better tips but from what I have experimented with, I get the best results by staining the bait first, then putting a clear coat over the top when done. I would stray away from super glue. I use a 30 min 2-part epoxy over the bait. As far as the back end to attach the tail, try a small spring. Hope this helps:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbub19 Posted January 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 I'm just curious how people anchor the spring? Just drill a hole and epoxy it in? I was thinking about running a small stainless screw in the end and cutting the head off with my dremel. I worry that if the spring gets bent too many times, it will break off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcopple Posted February 4, 2015 Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 I'm just curious how people anchor the spring? Just drill a hole and epoxy it in? I was thinking about running a small stainless screw in the end and cutting the head off with my dremel. I worry that if the spring gets bent too many times, it will break off. if you don't want to epoxy the spring in i don't see why you couldn't put a tiny screw eye in the same place and put the spring on that. granted, i have never made a bait but don't see why that wouldn't work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbub19 Posted February 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 I'm just curious how people anchor the spring? Just drill a hole and epoxy it in? I was thinking about running a small stainless screw in the end and cutting the head off with my dremel. I worry that if the spring gets bent too many times, it will break off. if you don't want to epoxy the spring in i don't see why you couldn't put a tiny screw eye in the same place and put the spring on that. granted, i have never made a bait but don't see why that wouldn't work. DUH! Moment over here....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbub19 Posted February 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 O.k., got the tail squared away. Last issue is the bill. I'm using lexan, and have a couple cut out how I "think" I want them, and I cut the slot for them a little oversized so I can find the right angle before I epoxy them in place. How do you guys find the right angle? I was thinking about just layering electrical tape on the back of the lexan so it would go in the slot tight for a couple of test swims to see which angle works best. Are there better methods to doing this? I don't want to ruin these things now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zev11 Posted February 24, 2015 Report Share Posted February 24, 2015 I use an 80 degree bill slot on the couple wakebaits and rats I've made. I used a miter box to cut my 80 degree angle on 2 scraps of 3/4in ply the used those attached on either side of another piece of plywood to make a lip slot jig so I can consistently cut lip slots. Seal it bait well w epoxy and test with split shots clipped on a rubber band around the bait to make sure u getting weighting propped before it done w it. That saves me slot of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbub19 Posted February 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 I use an 80 degree bill slot on the couple wakebaits and rats I've made. I used a miter box to cut my 80 degree angle on 2 scraps of 3/4in ply the used those attached on either side of another piece of plywood to make a lip slot jig so I can consistently cut lip slots. Seal it bait well w epoxy and test with split shots clipped on a rubber band around the bait to make sure u getting weighting propped before it done w it. That saves me slot of time. That's exactly how I tested the weights. I actually used tungsten bullet weights for the finished product. I just free handed the slots for the bills and surprisingly they worked out. I did have to go with a much larger bill than I was anticipating to get a consistent swim though. I have no idea how to get pictures from my phone posted, but once I get some open water I'll try for a video and post that. Overall I'm pretty happy with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbub19 Posted March 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 SpaceGhost 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LUV-2-CATCH'EM Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Look good how do they swim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbub19 Posted March 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 They've only seen the bathtub so far. Still locked in ice here.... swam pretty good for only having about 4' to play with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbub19 Posted June 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 (edited) So, it's been a while, but they're done. Video doesn't really show the action, but they do work! A couple of rats on my rat on its first outing. Haven't got to throw it a bunch yet, but 'tis the season in east ohio now. (Pardon my idiot "backdeckers" mouth) Edited June 20, 2015 by badbub19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted July 3, 2015 Report Share Posted July 3, 2015 this is your first try??? some talented mf'ers on this board... northeast_trev 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbub19 Posted July 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 Yep. First try. It's a little rough looking in person though. I'm no artist by any means. Functionality is good. But the finish work needs progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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