How Build My Own Irons

[Bluewater1]

Lately i've been thinking about building my own irons but the only problems is i don't know where to begin... i live in Encinitas CA. and if anyone knows of a store or shop somewhere where i can buy the appropriate supplies to make my own irons then i would appreciate it.

[BuonaForTuna]

Hutton,

There are a few places you will have to purchase supplies from, its not something that you can just go to one store and find all you need at a great price. How much experience do you have? You will need to learn how to use RTV's and for Irons the best thing to do is use Cast molds (Steel ect.) These are very expensive to make and so are the materials themselves. If you need help we are all here to lead you in the right direction as best we can. Keep in mind this is a very expensive hobby. Lets start at whats your experience with lure making?

[DV8Pilot]

Talk to Headshot, I bought some killer jigs from him; he has a good idea about what it takes.

[Bluewater1]

well Jesse this is going to sound stupid but i really have no experience. when i was young i used to watch my uncle make them but it was so GOT DAMN long ago i can hardly remember what the process was. so yeah no experience haha. ummm money is not an issue but maybe what i can do is find a place that might sell blank irons so i can add my own detail to them. is that possible? Thankz for the pointer Orion. ill hit Headshot up.

[BuonaForTuna]

Most definitely Tim (headshot) uses cast lures you can purchase these from Janscraft and other places like that they are premade and arent trade marked like a salas or tady ect. If you want to make your own very own one of a kind then thats where it gets more expensive if you would like to start small and pour your own leads ect Janscraft is the way to go check them out let me know what you think.. All you will need is the mold,lead,a melting pot, acrylic paints or airbrush and you will be set.

[Bluewater1]

Dude thank you so much. i'm going to try my best to make my own lures and when i do i will totally get back to you and send some pic to you.

[BuonaForTuna]

alot of us mold our own stuff Hutton using Sculpey clay you can use the stuff to shape out the lure you want and then bake it, from there you would use RTV to cast a molding of your piece and then whatever material you decide to use would be poured into that cast. If you plan on making light weight stuff aluminum its a whole different process, the RTV would be best to use Lead, plastics, and resin. Keep in mind you can make plastic lures and there are ways to make them heavy. All it takes is practice and tons of patience's. Cant wait to see your first pieces. Again invest in an airbrush its the best thing you can have around to paint. Iwata airbrushes are the best a bit pricey but quality vs. quantity.

[poncherello]

If you're thinking of doing irons involving lead and the cast molds, its not that bad. It takes some investment to get started. Some supplies are as follows. Melting pot, lead, molds, hooks (for leadheads), eye's (sinkers), safety equipment, paint supplies, (paint, sprayer, etc). Am i missing anything else?

If you're talking about surface iron stuff, the above supplies are a drop in the bucket compared to this type of molding and casting. I'm not trying to steer you away, but its expensive. I've invested thousands and thousands of dollars producing my surface and yo yo irons. There is a great satisfaction knowing that your irons catch fish though.

What do you have in mind? Maybe if we knew a little more info, we can healp. Jesse, Headshot, myself and others know this subject pretty well.

[JBabe]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLnIyOiR8po

[el capo]

What's an iron?

[benitosan]

Originally Posted by el capo

What's an iron?

it gets the wrinkles out, duh

[O.G. Crow]

If I'm not mistaken the old salas jigs were cast in sand not RTV I could be wrong but that could be your cheapest way out. I wish El Capo or Capt. G could verify if I'm right or not.