Cool process. Wondering how you're going to finish them, paint? something vitreous?Making the eyeballs.
Here is a picture of me holding the lure so you guys get an idea how big this jitterbug lure is.
![Jaw Sleeve Sculpture Fish Art]()
Making the eyeball i took some scrap Beech wood, squared it up and put it on the lath. Turned it to 2" diameter.
![Wood Machine tool Floor Bumper Gas]()
![Home appliance Gas Household appliance accessory Machine Tool]()
![Wood Gas Composite material Urban design Flooring]()
Next i need to make a jig to hold the router over this turning. I start with some plywood cut roughly to size. A bottom
and two sides. The bottom i mark out a square to fit the turning base.
Next i cut out the square on the scroll saw.
![Wood Rectangle Tool Composite material Gas]()
![Wood Road surface Cylinder Gas Asphalt]()
Check the fit.
Next i cut the base to size.
![Wood Rectangle Floor Flooring Hardwood]()
Then i screw on the sides an cut them to size.
![Wood Rectangle Floor Flooring Hardwood]()
I put the turning into the base and screw it to the bench from underneath and i also screw down the jig.![Wood Tool Gas Composite material Concrete]()
![Wood Beam Line Composite material Gas]()
Next i cut a top to support the router. I center the top on the base.
![Wood Road surface Flooring Floor Asphalt]()
![Wood Rectangle Floor Composite material Hardwood]()
I mark out a 7 1/4" circle and cut it out on the scroll saw.
![Plumbing fixture Wood Floor Gas Composite material]()
![Wood Flooring Composite material Concrete Grass]()
I screw the top to the sides.
Next i set up the router. I will be using a thumb nail router bit. Normally used for table edges.
![Hood Wood Vehicle Automotive exterior Metal]()
I will be mounting it on this big guy.
![Kitchen appliance Gas Machine Cylinder Auto part]()
![Wood Floor Flooring Material property Tints and shades]()
![Wood Table Automotive design Flooring Household supply]()
I need to climb cut so the bit won't grab the turning. This is a 12 year old bit so there will be some burning and i am taking my time.
![Wood Art Tints and shades Composite material Gas]()
Next i need to cut the eyeball off the turning. I do this on the table saw. Added a shim near the blade for support and held it TIGHT to the fence.
![Musical instrument Guitar accessory Wood Musical instrument accessory String instrument accessory]()
![Musical instrument Guitar String instrument Guitar accessory String instrument accessory]()
The results and there all uniform.
![Wood Flooring Table Rectangle Hardwood]()
![Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain Hardwood]()
![Plant Wood Tree Art Font]()
This is what it looks like on the lure. It gets glued on with CA glue.
![Wood Gas Circle Ceiling Plywood]()
![Hood Wood Gas Automotive tire Aircraft]()
I smooth the edges with some filler.
After sanding.
![Wood Automotive tire Gas Art Auto part]()
![Automotive tire Wood Gas Circle Automotive design]()
![Automotive design Art Automotive tire Tints and shades Wood]()
23" jitterbug lure, wall hanger
Designing
![Rectangle Insect Font Arthropod Metal]()
This is the original pattern i will be making.
![Wood Automotive design Art Paint Font]()
To start i taped 3 and 1/2 sheets of 8 1/2" x 11" paper together and drew out the perimeter of the shape, ended up looking good at 23" by looking at a reference photo i drew out the pattern and went over it with a black sharpie and adding color. I will re trace it onto a large piece of paper. From this sketch I will be able to make a 1/4" plywood template so i can put on my lath with a duplicator to turn the body and have the template if i want to make more in the future. This sketch will also get me the three stencils i need to make for the paint. One for the white, one for the black and one for the brown. The aluminum bill will be made from aluminum and so will the hook hanging hardware. Next step is to scale and draw the aluminum bill.
![Handwriting Font Art Rectangle Wood]()
![Eye Automotive design Wood Art Flooring]()
After about 15 sketches of different size bills this one looks the best.
![Wood Flooring Automotive design Font Eyewear]()
![Handwriting Rectangle Whiteboard Line Font]()
This bill will be cut out of 1/16" aluminum and the compound curve will be done on an English wheel. To draw the lip i folded the paper in half, drew one side, traced the other side then unfolded it.
![Handwriting Font Material property Writing Monochrome]()
Size of the bill
![Handwriting Font Wood Carmine Paper]()
I did two sizes for the hook hangers that will be made from aluminum. Until i get the 20/0 treble hooks i don't know what size hanger to use. I ordered the hooks Saturday.
![White Automotive lighting Light Vision care Sleeve]()
Here is a mock up for the treble hooks. I taped two single 18/0 together to give me an idea of the size hooks i would need. The with between the barbs looks good but the length of the shaft is to short so i went with the 20/0 hooks.
This week i will do the glue up for the body. The blank will be 24" long by 8" square. I will make a 1/4" plywood template to put on the duplicator on my lath.
This is the original pattern i will be making.
To start i taped 3 and 1/2 sheets of 8 1/2" x 11" paper together and drew out the perimeter of the shape, ended up looking good at 23" by looking at a reference photo i drew out the pattern and went over it with a black sharpie and adding color. I will re trace it onto a large piece of paper. From this sketch I will be able to make a 1/4" plywood template so i can put on my lath with a duplicator to turn the body and have the template if i want to make more in the future. This sketch will also get me the three stencils i need to make for the paint. One for the white, one for the black and one for the brown. The aluminum bill will be made from aluminum and so will the hook hanging hardware. Next step is to scale and draw the aluminum bill.
After about 15 sketches of different size bills this one looks the best.
This bill will be cut out of 1/16" aluminum and the compound curve will be done on an English wheel. To draw the lip i folded the paper in half, drew one side, traced the other side then unfolded it.
Size of the bill
I did two sizes for the hook hangers that will be made from aluminum. Until i get the 20/0 treble hooks i don't know what size hanger to use. I ordered the hooks Saturday.
Here is a mock up for the treble hooks. I taped two single 18/0 together to give me an idea of the size hooks i would need. The with between the barbs looks good but the length of the shaft is to short so i went with the 20/0 hooks.
This week i will do the glue up for the body. The blank will be 24" long by 8" square. I will make a 1/4" plywood template to put on the duplicator on my lath.
Attachments
21 - 33 of 33 Posts
Making the eyeballs.
Here is a picture of me holding the lure so you guys get an idea how big this jitterbug lure is.
![Jaw Sleeve Sculpture Fish Art]()
Making the eyeball i took some scrap Beech wood, squared it up and put it on the lath. Turned it to 2" diameter.
![Wood Machine tool Floor Bumper Gas]()
![Home appliance Gas Household appliance accessory Machine Tool]()
![Wood Gas Composite material Urban design Flooring]()
Next i need to make a jig to hold the router over this turning. I start with some plywood cut roughly to size. A bottom
and two sides. The bottom i mark out a square to fit the turning base.
Next i cut out the square on the scroll saw.
![Wood Rectangle Tool Composite material Gas]()
![Wood Road surface Cylinder Gas Asphalt]()
Check the fit.
Next i cut the base to size.
![Wood Rectangle Floor Flooring Hardwood]()
Then i screw on the sides an cut them to size.
![Wood Rectangle Floor Flooring Hardwood]()
I put the turning into the base and screw it to the bench from underneath and i also screw down the jig.![Wood Tool Gas Composite material Concrete]()
![Wood Beam Line Composite material Gas]()
Next i cut a top to support the router. I center the top on the base.
![Wood Road surface Flooring Floor Asphalt]()
![Wood Rectangle Floor Composite material Hardwood]()
I mark out a 7 1/4" circle and cut it out on the scroll saw.
![Plumbing fixture Wood Floor Gas Composite material]()
![Wood Flooring Composite material Concrete Grass]()
I screw the top to the sides.
Next i set up the router. I will be using a thumb nail router bit. Normally used for table edges.
![Hood Wood Vehicle Automotive exterior Metal]()
I will be mounting it on this big guy.
![Kitchen appliance Gas Machine Cylinder Auto part]()
![Wood Floor Flooring Material property Tints and shades]()
![Wood Table Automotive design Flooring Household supply]()
I need to climb cut so the bit won't grab the turning. This is a 12 year old bit so there will be some burning and i am taking my time.
![Wood Art Tints and shades Composite material Gas]()
Next i need to cut the eyeball off the turning. I do this on the table saw. Added a shim near the blade for support and held it TIGHT to the fence.
![Musical instrument Guitar accessory Wood Musical instrument accessory String instrument accessory]()
![Musical instrument Guitar String instrument Guitar accessory String instrument accessory]()
The results and there all uniform.
![Wood Flooring Table Rectangle Hardwood]()
![Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain Hardwood]()
![Plant Wood Tree Art Font]()
This is what it looks like on the lure. It gets glued on with CA glue.
![Wood Gas Circle Ceiling Plywood]()
![Hood Wood Gas Automotive tire Aircraft]()
I smooth the edges with some filler.
After sanding.
![Wood Automotive tire Gas Art Auto part]()
![Automotive tire Wood Gas Circle Automotive design]()
![Automotive design Art Automotive tire Tints and shades Wood]()
They get painted black.
Attachments
Primer
This part of the build is a lot of work but very boring with not much to see. I started by using spot putty on all the minor defects and dents.
![Interior design Automotive design Wood Flooring Table]()
Next i spray on white primer let dry for 2 days, sand smooth and repeat.
I do this until i have 8 coats of primer.
When all 8 coats are done i will start sanding with 220 grit all the way to 800 grit.
![Aircraft Plant Wood Vehicle Gas]()
![Wood Sculpture Art Automotive design Creative arts]()
![Automotive design Wood Flooring Art Building]()
This part of the build is a lot of work but very boring with not much to see. I started by using spot putty on all the minor defects and dents.
Next i spray on white primer let dry for 2 days, sand smooth and repeat.
I do this until i have 8 coats of primer.
When all 8 coats are done i will start sanding with 220 grit all the way to 800 grit.
Attachments
Making the eye to tie the line on the lure
Finished the primer part of this build. While the primer is drying i made the line tie for the bill. I started with a sold aluminum rod, 1/2" x 12" long. I welded up a jig so i could heat up the rod and bend the loop.
![Wood Gas Automotive tire Engineering Composite material]()
![Wood Serveware Flooring Drinkware Gas]()
![Automotive tire Wood Gas Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Automotive wheel system]()
I used a regular map gas torch. When i was done closing the loop i flipped it over and put it on the upper half of the jig and straitened out the leg.
![Drinkware Gas Wood Serveware Machine]()
![Wood Gas Auto part Table Metal]()
Polished it up and set it aside.
![White Light Motor vehicle Automotive tire Automotive lighting]()
The line tie will be cut to length and put through the bill. Then i will make a steel bit that i put on a drill and using friction it will mushroom the end so it will look like it is in the picture.
![Rectangle Insect Arthropod Font Art]()
Finished the primer part of this build. While the primer is drying i made the line tie for the bill. I started with a sold aluminum rod, 1/2" x 12" long. I welded up a jig so i could heat up the rod and bend the loop.
I used a regular map gas torch. When i was done closing the loop i flipped it over and put it on the upper half of the jig and straitened out the leg.
Polished it up and set it aside.
The line tie will be cut to length and put through the bill. Then i will make a steel bit that i put on a drill and using friction it will mushroom the end so it will look like it is in the picture.
Attachments
Nice job. Great symmetry on that eye. I'm impressed.Making the eye to tie the line on the lure
Finished the primer part of this build. While the primer is drying i made the line tie for the bill. I started with a sold aluminum rod, 1/2" x 12" long. I welded up a jig so i could heat up the rod and bend the loop.
![]()
![]()
![]()
I used a regular map gas torch. When i was done closing the loop i flipped it over and put it on the upper half of the jig and straitened out the leg.
![]()
![]()
Polished it up and set it aside.
![]()
The line tie will be cut to length and put through the bill. Then i will make a steel bit that i put on a drill and using friction it will mushroom the end so it will look like it is in the picture.
![]()
Attachments
Making the eye to tie the line on the lure
Finished the primer part of this build. While the primer is drying i made the line tie for the bill. I started with a sold aluminum rod, 1/2" x 12" long. I welded up a jig so i could heat up the rod and bend the loop.
![Wood Gas Automotive tire Engineering Composite material]()
![Wood Serveware Flooring Drinkware Gas]()
![Automotive tire Wood Gas Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Automotive wheel system]()
I used a regular map gas torch. When i was done closing the loop i flipped it over and put it on the upper half of the jig and straitened out the leg.
![Drinkware Gas Wood Serveware Machine]()
![Wood Gas Auto part Table Metal]()
Polished it up and set it aside.
![White Light Motor vehicle Automotive tire Automotive lighting]()
The line tie will be cut to length and put through the bill. Then i will make a steel bit that i put on a drill and using friction it will mushroom the end so it will look like it is in the picture.
![Rectangle Insect Arthropod Font Art]()
Attachments
This build is extremely interesting, your attention to detail is impressive. You certainly need to have multiple skills to accomplish a build like this. Did you work as a bodyman/painter at some point.Making the eye to tie the line on the lure
Finished the primer part of this build. While the primer is drying i made the line tie for the bill. I started with a sold aluminum rod, 1/2" x 12" long. I welded up a jig so i could heat up the rod and bend the loop.
![Wood Gas Automotive tire Engineering Composite material]()
![Wood Serveware Flooring Drinkware Gas]()
![Automotive tire Wood Gas Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Automotive wheel system]()
I used a regular map gas torch. When i was done closing the loop i flipped it over and put it on the upper half of the jig and straitened out the leg.
![Drinkware Gas Wood Serveware Machine]()
![Wood Gas Auto part Table Metal]()
Polished it up and set it aside.
![White Light Motor vehicle Automotive tire Automotive lighting]()
The line tie will be cut to length and put through the bill. Then i will make a steel bit that i put on a drill and using friction it will mushroom the end so it will look like it is in the picture.
![Rectangle Insect Arthropod Font Art]()
Do you have plans for that lure? I can see a place like Bass Pro Shops buying those from you. I bet just the jigs you made from BB cost around $200. It would have to sell for some serious money, but places like that pay big money for everything in their store.
You build some amazing projects, I can't wait to see the finished piece. Thanks for sharing how you do it.
Attachments
Awesome55 I have done a lot of body work, metal fab, lure painting and large scale custom woodworking. I have a lot of time and money invested in the giant lures i make so selling them is basically out of the question. I make these as one of a kind display lures. All i have is templates for each lure i make. I am finishing up the paint job on this lure so i will post the finished lure pictures soon. Thank you for your comment.Making the eye to tie the line on the lure
Finished the primer part of this build. While the primer is drying i made the line tie for the bill. I started with a sold aluminum rod, 1/2" x 12" long. I welded up a jig so i could heat up the rod and bend the loop.
![Wood Gas Automotive tire Engineering Composite material]()
![Wood Serveware Flooring Drinkware Gas]()
![Automotive tire Wood Gas Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Automotive wheel system]()
I used a regular map gas torch. When i was done closing the loop i flipped it over and put it on the upper half of the jig and straitened out the leg.
![Drinkware Gas Wood Serveware Machine]()
![Wood Gas Auto part Table Metal]()
Polished it up and set it aside.
![White Light Motor vehicle Automotive tire Automotive lighting]()
The line tie will be cut to length and put through the bill. Then i will make a steel bit that i put on a drill and using friction it will mushroom the end so it will look like it is in the picture.
![Rectangle Insect Arthropod Font Art]()
Attachments
Making the stencils for painting.
This is the stencil material i use to make the stencils. Oramask 813.
![Rectangle Household supply Font Electric blue Toilet paper]()
I trace my original drawing on paper then i cut it out. I will put this on the stencil material and trace it with a fine tip sharpie then i will cut the stencil. This is a mask to cover the white base coat and i will paint around it.
![Pen Font Writing implement Material property Aqua]()
I draw the pattern on the stencil material with a sharpie then cut it out with a razor blade only cutting the blue film and not the paper under it, It is a light tack back made for painting.
![Azure Hood Font Art Line]()
So these are all the stencils for this project.
![Font Material property Rectangle Electric blue Art]()
This one is a shading template. Its just paper. I need this one to be flexible and not sticky. It will be used to shade the black on the feathers and touch up any black areas.
![Sleeve Font Automotive design Art Line]()
This stencil is for the small feathers on the belly, left and right stencils.
![Azure Material property Font Cylinder Gas]()
This paper stencil is for the other small feathers on the belly. It is not a sticky back stencil because i need to paint it brown first then shift it over a little bit then spray black leaving a little bit of the brown. I just flip over the paper stencil to get the left and right.
![Rectangle Wood Material property Font Creative arts]()
This is the face stencil.
![Azure Rectangle Font Paint Art]()
![Product Azure Textile Sleeve T-shirt]()
Next i will start airbrushing some color when all the paint comes in.
This is the stencil material i use to make the stencils. Oramask 813.
I trace my original drawing on paper then i cut it out. I will put this on the stencil material and trace it with a fine tip sharpie then i will cut the stencil. This is a mask to cover the white base coat and i will paint around it.
I draw the pattern on the stencil material with a sharpie then cut it out with a razor blade only cutting the blue film and not the paper under it, It is a light tack back made for painting.
So these are all the stencils for this project.
This one is a shading template. Its just paper. I need this one to be flexible and not sticky. It will be used to shade the black on the feathers and touch up any black areas.
This stencil is for the small feathers on the belly, left and right stencils.
This paper stencil is for the other small feathers on the belly. It is not a sticky back stencil because i need to paint it brown first then shift it over a little bit then spray black leaving a little bit of the brown. I just flip over the paper stencil to get the left and right.
This is the face stencil.
Next i will start airbrushing some color when all the paint comes in.
Attachments
Painting the lure part 1
Masked off the eye.
![Petal Material property Gas Electric blue Circle]()
Painted it black.
![Gas Electric blue Circle Art Plastic]()
After unmasking.
![Automotive design Automotive exterior Material property Gas Composite material]()
I masked off the eye socket and applied the face and wing stencil.
![Gas Building Art Engineering Aircraft]()
Sprayed the brown and the black highlights over the stencil.
![Wood Gas Fish Drink Recreation]()
![Elbow Sports equipment Temporary tattoo Art Fish]()
![Gas Art Electric blue Machine Personal protective equipment]()
![Elbow Sports equipment Temporary tattoo Art Fish]()
Removed the stencil.
![Art Engineering Wood Aerospace engineering Human leg]()
![Gas Wood Automotive design Automotive lighting Font]()
![Art Automotive design Font Gas Artifact]()
![Automotive design Art Human leg Font Engineering]()
Masked off the start of the eye brow.
![Gas Wood Tints and shades Linens Electric blue]()
Eye brow unmasked. I will add to this latter.
![Plant Art Gas Motor vehicle Artifact]()
Working on the spots on the chest i placed the paper stencil in place.
![Font Handwriting Gas Wood Art]()
Sprayed it brown.
![Wood Gas Font Nail Art]()
Then i offset the stencil.
![Font Tints and shades Handwriting Eyelash Electric blue]()
Then i sprayed it black.
![Font Gas Tints and shades Automotive exterior Electric blue]()
The finished look.
![Hood Automotive design Automotive tire Art Font]()
Next i applied the stencil for the wing detail on the belly.
![Thigh Sportswear Waist Flag of the united states Gas]()
Sprayed it brown and added the black highlights.
![Sleeve Waist Sportswear Thigh Knee]()
The finished look.
![Automotive design Font Motor vehicle Art Gas]()
![Automotive tire Automotive design Motor vehicle Font Fender]()
Next i applied the paper stencil for the spots on the side of the back.
![Plant Art Gas Tints and shades Font]()
Sprayed it black.
![Plant Artifact Art Tree Font]()
Finished look.
![Art Tints and shades Plant Tree Font]()
Masked off the eye.
Painted it black.
After unmasking.
I masked off the eye socket and applied the face and wing stencil.
Sprayed the brown and the black highlights over the stencil.
Removed the stencil.
Masked off the start of the eye brow.
Eye brow unmasked. I will add to this latter.
Working on the spots on the chest i placed the paper stencil in place.
Sprayed it brown.
Then i offset the stencil.
Then i sprayed it black.
The finished look.
Next i applied the stencil for the wing detail on the belly.
Sprayed it brown and added the black highlights.
The finished look.
Next i applied the paper stencil for the spots on the side of the back.
Sprayed it black.
Finished look.
Attachments
Making the line tie for the bill
![Machine tool Saw Wood Tool Metalworking]()
Put a piece of 1/2" aluminum bar stock in the lath and taped the threads on the back side. Then i turned it around and with a file i made a cone on the other end.
![Automotive tire Wood Bumper Rim Flooring]()
Cut it off with a sawsall blade.
![Wood Font Motor vehicle Metal Jewellery]()
Drilled and taped the eye screw, threaded a small 1/4 20 screw on the cap.
![Auto part Household hardware Metal Nickel Wood]()
This is how it looks.
![Automotive tire Gas Motor vehicle Rim Bumper]()
How it looks on the mock up.
![Bicycle handlebar Bicycle tire Wood Bicycle part Bicycle fork]()
This is how it looks on the bill of the lure. It moves up and down freely on the bill just like the original lure.
Put a piece of 1/2" aluminum bar stock in the lath and taped the threads on the back side. Then i turned it around and with a file i made a cone on the other end.
Cut it off with a sawsall blade.
Drilled and taped the eye screw, threaded a small 1/4 20 screw on the cap.
This is how it looks.
How it looks on the mock up.
This is how it looks on the bill of the lure. It moves up and down freely on the bill just like the original lure.
Attachments
Nice to see an update on this one - I had forgotten about it.Making the line tie for the bill
![Machine tool Saw Wood Tool Metalworking]()
Put a piece of 1/2" aluminum bar stock in the lath and taped the threads on the back side. Then i turned it around and with a file i made a cone on the other end.
![Automotive tire Wood Bumper Rim Flooring]()
Cut it off with a sawsall blade.
![Wood Font Motor vehicle Metal Jewellery]()
Drilled and taped the eye screw, threaded a small 1/4 20 screw on the cap.
![Auto part Household hardware Metal Nickel Wood]()
This is how it looks.
![Automotive tire Gas Motor vehicle Rim Bumper]()
How it looks on the mock up.
![Bicycle handlebar Bicycle tire Wood Bicycle part Bicycle fork]()
This is how it looks on the bill of the lure. It moves up and down freely on the bill just like the original lure.
Attachments
Making the line tie for the bill
![Machine tool Saw Wood Tool Metalworking]()
Put a piece of 1/2" aluminum bar stock in the lath and taped the threads on the back side. Then i turned it around and with a file i made a cone on the other end.
![Automotive tire Wood Bumper Rim Flooring]()
Cut it off with a sawsall blade.
![Wood Font Motor vehicle Metal Jewellery]()
Drilled and taped the eye screw, threaded a small 1/4 20 screw on the cap.
![Auto part Household hardware Metal Nickel Wood]()
This is how it looks.
![Automotive tire Gas Motor vehicle Rim Bumper]()
How it looks on the mock up.
![Bicycle handlebar Bicycle tire Wood Bicycle part Bicycle fork]()
This is how it looks on the bill of the lure. It moves up and down freely on the bill just like the original lure.
Yea, I screwed up my back installing that fish tank surround we installed. It's been a month but the back is getting better. I will get back on it. Thanks for the comment.
Attachments
21 - 33 of 33 Posts
