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Posts: 70
Location: Mapleton,IL | I want to start making my own bucktails. I have enough old bucktails to make plenty of new ones the only question i have. Should i use a wire former or can it be done with pliers. Money isn't a problem but is it worth spending $80 or more on a wire former. What are your opinions?
Thanks |
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Posts: 2112
Location: The Sportsman, home, or out on the water | I use a wire looping pliers made by Craftsman. They are similar to a needle nose, but they are round all the way around. They are like $22.00. Or, you could clamp a phillips screwdriver with a round shank in a vise..... |
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Posts: 380
Location: Michigan | I use a Boggs Tacklemaker and I think it was worth every penny! Are you going to make 5? 50? 500? If you think you are going to make enough for you and your freinds, I would invest in the Boggs. It works excellent!
(Chasin50 Muskie Bucktails.JPG)
(Chasin50 Pike Bucktails.JPG)
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 Chasin50 Muskie Bucktails.JPG (41KB - 70 downloads)
Chasin50 Pike Bucktails.JPG (34KB - 73 downloads)
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Posts: 459
Location: New Baden IL | Chad,
Let see some of the handiwork!
Rod |
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Posts: 70
Location: Mapleton,IL | They offer two that will handle .51 wire. The Pro Tacklemaker and the Extra Wide D Head. Whats the difference and is one a better option for bucktails? Thanks again |
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Posts: 20229
Location: oswego, il | I have the 80 dollar boggs and like it. I use the round pliers more, I can get a rounder bend with it. Now if I have a pre-cut length of .051 wire where I won't have alot for the tag end, the boggs uses less wire to make the bend thab would the round pliers. Like Chadster said, unless you are planning on making a bunch, get the pliers.
As for wire, I like the tensil strength of the pre-cut stainless .051 or the brown coated leader material. I think the dull stainles is too soft and bends way too easy. |
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Posts: 2112
Location: The Sportsman, home, or out on the water | Patrol, or anyone else for that matter, I teach bucktail tying/ building classes for beer. You just have to make the trip to Appleton.
Edited by muskynightmare 10/6/2005 11:14 PM
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Posts: 380
Location: Michigan | There you go Rod. I also make a Bulger. |
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Location: The Yahara Chain | The round nose pliers will work fine. I use a .045 wire and they work great. |
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Posts: 4266
| I use a nail and a pair of Visegrips, and I used to make about 100 bucktails a year.
I pounded a nail into the side of my work bench, and would take the piece of wire that I was using and wrap it completely around the nail, then open the wire enough to slide it off. I had a perfect circle in the wire that I would grab with the Visegrips, make one wrap, straighten the wire so it was running straight at the center of the circle and then make about 4 more wraps and trim it. I'd attach the hook and split ring, assemble all of the components of the bucktail and then repeat the process on the other end. Never had one fail, so I guess that they worked alright. I do the same thing when I make my own leaders. Once the circle is formed, twisting wire is easy.
Beav
Edited by Beaver 10/7/2005 12:00 PM
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Posts: 70
Location: Mapleton,IL | Thanks for all the advice and tips. Chadster the bucktails look good |
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Posts: 207
Location: Mpls, MN | http://www.tacklemaker.com/home.html
Some videos of the Boggs in action if you go that route. |
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Posts: 32892
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I use the pliers, Keith made his own wire bending table. He's faster, but I'm not in any hurry. Beav, the nail is a great idea. |
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Posts: 207
Location: Mpls, MN | I found this site and might do that nail deal too. Interesting article and he explains how he uses a nail on a slab of wood to make his leaders.
http://www.musky.com/leaders.htm |
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Posts: 70
Location: Mapleton,IL | Do you guys perfer to buy bucktail wire with the top loop all ready made, or just buy straight sections then make both loops. |
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Posts: 20229
Location: oswego, il | I like the straight sections and make my own loops for my .051 and bigger wire. It is cheaper for one thing and not that big of a deal. I buy the rest in a large coil. I don't care for the large coils of stainless, it is very soft and bends too easy. When I am out of it, I will not use it anymore. The american fishing wire has a better tensil strength and I like using that for smaller wire alot better. I like the 174-340lb wire depending on the lure I am making. |
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Posts: 4266
| I'm with Todd.
I like to cut my own so I can make them longer if I want to.
No restrictions if you buy a coil.
Beav
Edited by Beaver 10/8/2005 3:35 PM
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Posts: 267
Location: Right behind you (tap, tap) BOOO | Where do you get the coil of wire? What guage do you perfer for Buck Tails and Leaders? One last question how do you straighten the wire?
Esox23 |
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