|
|
Posts: 272
| Have a few bucktails I'd like to "tweak" and have one I need to add a blade to. Also would like to make some trolling keel weights for trolling twins, etc. Just don't know what sort of a wire bender to get.
Suggestions? Brands/models/features???
Thanks |
|
|
|
Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | Use a Looping Pliers, I have a pdf format how to bend single strand leasers, but this same procedure will also work to make your eyes on a bucktail shaft. Contact me at [email protected]
Craftmans make a looping pliers that will work. |
|
|
|
Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | Two pair of pliers, one with a round nose if you can find it. My buddy and I made a contraption that woudl wind the wire loop at the top of the bait but with pliers we could make 3 bucktails for every one with the contraption and the pliers did almost just as good of a job... |
|
|
|
Posts: 79
| I use round nose pliers. Knipex makes the best ones I have ever used. I wish I could find a place to buy a pair since the pair I used belonged to someone else. |
|
|
|
Posts: 272
| Hmmm. So you're saying you're making the nice round loop and the 2-4 wraps around the wire shaft on the nose of a bucktail with the pliers as well, eh?
Saw some of the twin ten trolling weights a friend of a friend bent up in his garage with just a nail in the workbench and a pliers or two. Made a deal like a clothespin sinnerbait......the loop at the elbow had a pretty loose coil.
I found this little gem on R&H. Seems steeper in price than I expected, but if you made a few bucktails it would prolly pay for itself pretty quickly.
http://www.muskyshop.com/modules/cart/products.php/nav_id/85/page/1... |
|
|
|
Posts: 79
| I have one of those boggs tackle makers. It makes nice loops, but can be a pain to work. I will stick with the round nose pliers. With a little practice my loops look just as nice as the ones made with the tackle maker. The pliers are much quicker too. |
|
|
|
Posts: 291
Location: Madison, WI | Knipex are the best round nose I have used as well. I picked mine up from Rollie and Helens. Bought them at the Chicago Musky Show but Im not sure if they sell them on their website. |
|
|
|
Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | The knipexs are listed.
http://www.muskyshop.com/modules/cart/products.php/nav_id/11/page/2...
One plus for the looping pliers is that you can make different size loops unlike those benders which have only one size be it either too small or too large and hardly every just right.
Guys if you want the PDF file you have to email me - not PM me that won't work. |
|
|
|
Posts: 253
Location: On the water | I just bought a pair of Knipex round nose pliers and wonder what size wire you are bending with them. I bent some .020, 86 pound for some small spinners, but I think the wire would be heavier for bucktails. What do you think? Thanks, Tom. |
|
|
|
Posts: 79
| For most bucktails I use .051. With that being said, I worked some .062 with the borrowed knipex pliers and it wasn't that bad. |
|
|
|
Posts: 665
Location: Twin Cities, MN | Knipex is the way to go. Does .51 wire no problem.
Pal |
|
|
|
Posts: 39
| Try 0.41 first, 0.51 is easy when you know how to bend. I use a vise grip and one plier, a long "tag end" makes wraps nicer. Start by bending a loop shaped like a "P" with the tag end standing out in the back. Then bend the main shaft in opposite direction where the wire overlaps, this makes a "o". Squeeze the "o" loop in the vise grip and wrap the tag end whit the back of your tomb(hold tomb still and turn vice grip), 3-4 wraps and cut of with a side cutter.
There are other ways to do it, but this works in Norway;-) |
|
|
|
Posts: 181
Location: St.John, Indiana | If you are just going to tie up a couple baits go ahead and use pliers,but if you are like me and end up making more than just a few buy a Hagen's wire former. It is well worth the money. I have formed wire up to .059 on the unit with the .051 wire attachment . Every bait is effortless and consistent. I have had it for 3 yrs. and has paid for itself ,since I like to change blades ,skirts and weight allot.
Again, if you are not going to make more than a few baits use pliers . |
|
|
|
Posts: 380
Location: Michigan | Another strong vote for Boggs Tacklemaker. Great for .02 single strand wire leaders up to .051 wire for bucktails, spinnerbaits, keel weights, etc. |
|
|
|
Posts: 706
Location: Richland Center, WI. | Started with the Bogg's tackle maker but now have one made by Hagen's. Pretty pricey though. Works really good. Have used the round nose pliers with vice grips before and that works great for the .051 stuff. Bent a few .072 wires with the pliers also. Need pretty strong hands for that stuff!
Ken |
|
|
|
Posts: 253
Location: On the water | Guys, thanks for the replies, I'll get .041 wire first to practice.
Thanks, Tom |
|
|