Tally

I need some major help from you guys and / or gals that have experience in templates and bull nose bits. I am very open to any and all suggestions because I am getting flat stumped.
1) I am a custom lure maker and I want to make a flat sided crank bait. I am trying to use a bull nose bit to round the top (back) and the bottom (belly)
2) I do not want to lose any fingers. So if this can not be done safely, then I will trash the idea.
3) The type of wood I will be using is cedar, poplar and other wood like them. The size of the wood is: 1/2" thick and I am talking about routing a lure that is 2 3/4" long.
4) I have tried doing this without a touter table and can't figure this out. I have a table on the way so either way will be okay.
5) I have made a template and will show you a photo at the end of the post. I have never made a template for routing.......so I may have started off wrong from the get go.
6) One of the problems I ran into was: their is 1/8" of flat bit on each end of the bull nose bit. So the template needs to be adjusted for this.
7) the bull nose bit I have is 1/2 "
hopefully this is enough information for somone to help me out. If not, just ask for what you need and I will try to provide the information. If I can figure out how to load the photo, here it is.
thanks, Tally

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KENNETH KIDWELL

Im not real sure how your lure looks when fineshed but one way might be to use longer strips of wood the width and thickness you need and run them through the bullnose bit mounted in a router table to get the sides shaped then cut to length then form the front and back with a table mounted belt or disc sander.
like i said im not sure what the lures look like to try to help any further good luck and hope this helped.

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Tally

Thanks for the reply Kenneth. the SIDES of the bait with stay completely flat and the top and bottom is what I am trying to round. I will try and post a picture with arrows showing what part I want to round next week. If this was a straight line I was routing there would be no concern but the hump on the back and the concaved part near the tail makes it a bit tricky.......for me anyway.
Tally

BobandRick

Look forward to seeing the pictures of the item you are trying to make.

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Tally

thanks for at least showing some interest in trying to help me.

Here are the pictures that I promised to post, showing what I am trying to accomplish. Sorry, but I can not take credit for the making of this particular bait but I can tell you a very good friend of mine did. Right now we sand the lure into its round status and that is why we are looking for a better way to round the bait......Sanding is very boring and time consuming

I hope these photos help someone steer me in the right direction so I can speed up my production. I am open to any and all suggestions.
Thanks again!!!
Tally

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Hamlin

You may consider using a drum sander on it. That's a real small piece to be letting fingers get that close to a high spinning bit.

Ken

Tally

thanks Ken. Yes I have used a drum sander and if they made one that was 1/2" round, that would be ideal and very safe. We have even discussed making a devise out of a gringing type stone but I thought surely there was a better way. My table arrived yesterday so I am going to proceed to figure this out with great caution.

I appreciate the site and allowing me to ask my question(s). I thought maybe someone had worked with small pieces with a router and would get me on track. If anyone can think of any saftey measures I need to be aware of, other than the obvious, please let me know. While brrowsing the web I stumbled onto this photo (below). Has anyone tried this technique or have an opinion onif it would work on what I am trying to do?

Thanks again for allowing me to intrude on such a great site. I will visit often to read the post. I have learned a great deal in my brief stay.
Tally

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Hamlin

You're welcome. That's what the site is for though, ask an learn. Never to old nor to young to learn.

As for round sand drums, look into a dremel. Can't remember off the top of my head but I believe they have 1/2 or 3/4 sanding drums. Another thing you may consider, use a 1/4 round over bit with the method shown in that pic you posted.

Welcome to the board.

Ken

Tally

Thanks Ken. Is a roundover bit less aggressive than a bull nose? Can I achieve a "full round top and bottom or will there be a smal flat spot where the roundover bit would meet in the middle?
Tally

Hamlin

It depends on what size of round over an what depth you set it at. Always best to use a scrap piece to find what you're happy with, make adjustments, etc. Hope this helps.

ken