Couple Questions and help needed.

[Kdog]

Fall is approaching and I am getting a start on Vibratating Blade Lure stock.

Right now I'm polishing the brass blanks which is a time consuming process. My process is
1. Deburr blade with 1200 grit wet/dry SiC sandpaper. I find many blades
blanks have a number of burrs around the holes and around the edges as
well.
2. Polish/Buff blade with a cotton buff and Mothers Mag wheel cleaner polish
which I have found to give me the best results looks like a gold mirror. I
like the look as do a lot of my buddies.
3. Wipe blade blank with alcohol to remove wax and polishing residue/oils
etc. I find that omitting this step leads to discoloration on finished
blade.
4. Cast blades in appropriate Mold.
5. Color head.
6. Final Polish of blade
7. Clear coat

Its a lot of work but this year I got slammed with early requests as my quality is above what they buy in stores and my hooks are better as well.

If anyone knows a better way to make the brass blade mirror gold I would appreciate some suggestions.

My question now is did Do It ever make the Zonar Blade (aka Silver Buddy) Mold in a size larger than 1/2 oz. Better yet, does anyone have a 5/8 - 3/4oz Zonar (silver buddy) mold they would want to sell or trade. I have a group that wants this style and only this style but they really want the 5/8, 3/4 or even 1 ounce models. I cannot find any info so do not know if they exist but I occasionally see the lures on Ebay and know that the Paul Banks version is once again commercially available.

 

[Fatman]

My ZR makes 2, 1/4 oz and 2, 1/2 oz. I don't have my old catalouges anymore so I'm not sure if they made a bigger one or not. Party Crasher over on Do-It mold forums is really big into blade baits and he might know, unless someone comes up with the old catalouge first.

 

[Bucho]

I´ve had surprisingly good results with the vertical shad bait mold this spring which got me interested in smaller baits with similar vibrating action such as blades. Was thinking about buying the Do-It ZV-5-A vibrating lure mold. Now I hear good things about the Zonar Mold - is that much of a different shape/action? Or just a customer taste/copyright issue? Folks over here have never heard of either one or the other so I really don´t care about names and brands as long as it produces.

 

[Kdog]

I´ve had surprisingly good results with the vertical shad bait mold this spring which got me interested in smaller baits with similar vibrating action such as blades. Was thinking about buying the Do-It ZV-5-A vibrating lure mold. Now I hear good things about the Zonar Mold - is that much of a different shape/action? Or just a customer taste/copyright issue? Folks over here have never heard of either one or the other so I really don´t care about names and brands as long as it produces.

The Zonar style has a loyal dedicated following, it has a different action or at least to me feel, I put a 1/2 oz vibe on one pole and a 1/2 oz zonar on the other pole. Both poles are identical rod reel line, swivel and leader set ups. Over the course of a couple days, I could readily tell which pole had which bait and the zonar has a more vibratory feel but not not as pronounced if that makes any sense.

The Zonar seems to catch a few more fish but that is an iffy statement at best. Thus far the biggest difference to me is the vibe is available in heavier weights which is a big plus around here in late fall. We vertical jig a lot and when fish are in the 40 - 50 foot range the heavier bait is a must.

 

[Bucho]

Thanks! Introducing a single line of lures that covers both fresh- and inshore salt water fishing would make my life a lot easier. These things must be killer for atlantic cod.

 

[Uncle Grump]

Kdog

Do-it's site shows a Zonar bait mold (ZV5A) w/ sizes from 1/4oz thru 3/4 oz.

UG

 

[Kdog]

Seems like there is a lot of confusion regarding the bait(s) I am trying to locate. Thus a couple pictures might help,
The current model vibe is on the left and the older model is on the right, The arrows shows the major differences.
The new Model has an Eye Socket added and a different blend of the head to the blade and the lead portion is a bit wider and thinner.
All I have found of the old style is the 1/4 - 1/2 combo but would really love a larger size. The differences in the 2 designs are subtle but with the right rod and line the difference in feel is astounding.

 

[Bucho]

BTW it won´t help you now but I was able to get my hands on an engraving machine the other day. Once I have managed to re-assemble and learn how to work it, in theorie, I should be able to not only copy any given mold but also alter the scale, max. 1:50 bigger or smaller. No idea if I manage, it will take several month at least but I´ll stay in touch.

 

[Kdog]

BTW it won´t help you now but I was able to get my hands on an engraving machine the other day. Once I have managed to re-assemble and learn how to work it, in theorie, I should be able to not only copy any given mold but also alter the scale, max. 1:50 bigger or smaller. No idea if I manage, it will take several month at least but I´ll stay in touch.

Yes, keep us up to date. I am always willing to help fellow empirical engineers.

 

[Fatman]

If it works out the way you hope you'd have lot's for work right here on the board!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!