Posted 3/9/2020 12:40 PM (#955589) Subject: Leader Making Tools Help
Posts: 661
Location: Roscoe IL
I'm looking to purchase a quality wire former/wire leader making tool. One that I can use for making my own Bucktails/Spinnerbaits and leaders. Found these below and figured I would ask what some of you might be using before placing an order.
1) Poulsen 11037 Twistech wire up to .037 diameter
2) TwisTech Magnum Wire Former for Wire up to .051"
I have no clue on the diameter of the wire used to make Bucktails? I'll cross that bridge soon enough.
The Toothproof 174lb leader wire is only .029 in dia.
I do like to use solid wire leaders when using a glider and a short one for spinnerbaits. I have been purchasing these in the past and would like to make my own.
Posted 3/9/2020 7:25 PM (#955622 - in reply to #955589) Subject: RE: Leader Making Tools Help
Posts: 245
Location: Madison
Bucktail wire is .051. Try using a round nose pliers. AFW makes one specifically for making leaders. Lee on Today's Angler has a good demo on how to form a loop with a pliers. Check out his you tube video.
Posted 3/10/2020 12:01 AM (#955642 - in reply to #955589) Subject: Re: Leader Making Tools Help
Posts: 180
Unless you are making lures in a business setting, then I think you would be surprised how good you can bend bucktail wire (.051) with round nose pliers and a set of vice grips. It’s literally all I use and my wraps come out looking better than the bulk made retail baits. There are some YouTube videos you can find to help you with this to get you started. Good luck and have fun!
Posted 3/22/2020 2:20 PM (#956279 - in reply to #956210) Subject: Re: Leader Making Tools Help
Posts: 753
Rockn Randy - 3/20/2020 1:33 PM
What do you guys use to straighten .051 wire? The one I saw in Lure Parts Online only goes to .035.
You can buy pre cut sections that are straight. If you want to buy a larger coil cut a length you want place one end in a bench vise and run a round nose plies through it. It will straighten right out.
Posted 3/22/2020 5:50 PM (#956313 - in reply to #955589) Subject: Re: Leader Making Tools Help
Posts: 427
Round nose pliers, Vice grips and a regular set of pliers are all you need. My shafts are 063 wire and look "factory" wound. Check on line for info. Also Lure Parts on Line has a "how to video" on making tails. Watch how the wire is looped. Good Luck
Posted 3/24/2020 8:50 AM (#956432 - in reply to #955589) Subject: Re: Leader Making Tools Help
Posts: 1937
Location: Black Creek, WI
For bucktails and spinnerbaits: I use a nail in a workbench vice to wrap the wire around for a nice round loop. Then all you need is a vice grips pliers to twist off the tag end for a clean finish to your barrel wrap.
For Leaders: I use a small nail in my workbench vice for a smaller loop... and then make a haywire twist with my fingers ( I use lighter 124# wire). Vice Grip pliers to twist off the tag end for a clean finish.
To straighten wire from a coil, I just use a rag and my hand to apply an opposite bend to the roll set curl.
Posted 3/27/2020 9:48 AM (#956600 - in reply to #955589) Subject: RE: Leader Making Tools Help
Posts: 6
I used to wrap my own bucktails for years. Just always remember, the longer tail on the wire the easier it is to wrap. Wrapping short wire is tough. I now use a DuBro and there is no going back. At least not for me. My DuBro handles wire up to .063. I got mine on sale for a little over $50.00 awhile back.
Posted 4/1/2020 9:52 PM (#956992 - in reply to #955589) Subject: Re: Leader Making Tools Help
Posts: 1435
Location: Brighton CO.
For years been making my own leaders on my dads old Hagen wire former and this winter got a Du-bro for bucktails as stated above "no going back" and Rollie and Helens have quick change clevises were you could change blade type and color
Posted 4/2/2020 8:43 AM (#957011 - in reply to #956992) Subject: Re: Leader Making Tools Help
Posts: 358
chuckski - 4/1/2020 9:52 PM
For years been making my own leaders on my dads old Hagen wire former and this winter got a Du-bro for bucktails as stated above "no going back" and Rollie and Helens have quick change clevises were you could change blade type and color
Leader Making Tools Help