Making Fishing Lures: Basic Tools Required - Part 1

-- End Ad Box --->hacksaw that is used for cutting metal and other
Lets start with the basics, you need a clean solidhard materials such as plastics. There are many types
work surface such as a bench, table, or desk, youof hacksaws on the market, but the adjustable
will need a vise which will hold the various lures forframe with a pistol grip is best. You will also need
drilling, filing, bending, and other operations. Almostseveral kinds of blades to use with the hacksaw.
any bench vise of good size will serve the purpose.These blades have from 14 to 32 teeth to the inch
Unless you have a permanent workbench, this viseand come in all-hard or flexible tempers. Each type is
doesn't have to be fastened to the table or deskbest for a certain job, depending on the metal or
until needed.material you are cutting. If you have one or two
A small anvil is also useful if you plan to make manyblades of each kind you'll be prepared for any cutting
metal lures or parts for such lures. It is used forjob.
cutting, bending, punching, and riveting. However, ifSome kind of drill is needed for drilling holes in wood
you get a big bench vise of the machinist's or utilityand metal. If you have a home workshop with a drill
type you can use the anvil surface found on suchpress you can use it for most of the work to be
vises. Or you can use a small block of iron with adone. It is especially useful when drilling holes in metal.
smooth surface as a makeshift anvil.A portable electric drill is also a big aid when drilling,
A hammer, of course, is a basic tool for any kind ofmetal, especially if you have to drill many holes.
work, and for making fishing lures, about two orHowever, when making fishing lures most drilling is
three hammers will suffice. If you already have adone in wood or softer metals such as brass and
claw hammer, you can use it for many lure-makingcopper. Here an ordinary hand drill will serve the
jobs. However, you should also get at least one ballpurpose. Such a hand drill will usually take drills up to
peen or machinist’s hammer which can be¼ in. in diameter. When buying a hand drill it's a
used for shaping metal, driving punches, cold chisels,good idea to get the best you can get. A cheap
and other uses. A 12-ounce ball peen hammer is ahand drill may not work properly or will soon break or
good size for all-round work. Another type ofwear out.
hammer which is good to have is a soft-facedYou also need a set of twist drills to use with an
hammer. These are made of plastic or have rawhide,electric or hand drill. For the drill press or electric drill
fiber or lead faces. The soft-faced hammer is usedyou will need a set of high-speed drills. The
for bending and shaping metal and leaves no toolhigh-speed drills can be used for fast drilling without
marks. A wooden mallet is also needed if you plan tolosing their temper. For drilling wood or soft metals,
shape your own metal spoons or spinners.carbon drills which are cheaper than high speed drills
At least two saws will be needed. If you alreadycan be used. You should get a complete set of drills
have a hand saw, it can be used for working withup to about ¼ in. in diameter. The smaller sizes are
wood. Since most lures are small, however, a backthe ones you will use most often. It's a good idea to
saw which has a thin blade and fine teeth is evenbuy two or three twist drills of the same size in the
better than a large hand saw with coarse teeth forsmaller sizes so that if you break one you'll have a
accurate cutting. The other saw which is needed is aspare.