Bending Wire

[bass11]

How many of you guys bend wire and make your own snaps? What gauge wire do you use and what style of clip do you make? Duo-lock style, Coastlock or Crosslock style? Seems like the Crosslock style is easier to duplicate than the subtle bends in the Duo-lock style. Been doing Crosslocks with .031 ga. stainless wire. They measure between 3/4 and 7/8 long and have no problem breaking 40 lb leaders with no ill effect. Something to do on a cold winter's night watching television during the off season. My friends tell me I should get a life instead.

[Lbifisherman429]

pic?

[bass11]

Don't have a digital camera handy. Sorry.

[Dunky]

Do you save any $$$? I am curious why you make snaps not leaders , rigs etc

[bass11]

Do you save any $$$? I am curious why you make snaps not leaders , rigs etc

 

 

As a plugger, I use a standard 5 ft leader to cap off my braid running line. Have not really been satified with the the QC on the Duo-locks I've been purchasing. Since it seems you have to tweak them anyway, I figured I may as well bend wire and make 'em from scratch. Of course it does save a little money, but that is of secondary importance. I happen to have remnants of a coil of .031 ga. stainless wire sitting around from the days when I used to make jig spinners for black bass fishing, so I may as well use it up. I've had a Duo-lock open up on me after landing a 31 lb'er. The .031" wire is thinner than the wire used on the 54 lb. rated Duo-locks I've been using and way too thin for a breakaway style clip; however, the issue is not really the break strength of the wire (195lb for .031" wire), but the tendency of certain styles of clips to pop open. I was hoping I could make a smaller, lighter, more compact and dependable snap that would have less impact on the action of some plugs like mag darters. I was hoping that those of you with more experience in the matter would share your thoughts, ideas, and experience in this regard. Thanks.

[BobT]

I say keep at it, you just might build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door (I didn't make that up). If you have the time and you make it yourself (and better) you at least get the satisfaction of "IT" working. Anyone can use stuff off the shelf.

Bob T.

[EricL]

lol.. i just pinch the ends or the clips with my pliers before i use them..

no problems here..

[Lbifisherman429]

i found a snap like the one in the picture, are those what you make

[bass11]

No that's not quite it. Those are more akin to Coastlock type snaps. The problem I have with most snaps is not the strength of the wire per se, but the fact that their designs allow them to pop open when they are torqued in just the right/wrong fashion. In order to prevent, most manufacturers increase the gauge or weight or the wire used and the size of the clip.....both of which are detrimental to the action of some lures to say nothing of increased visibility which may or may not be of any significance with stripers on most days.

 

The thing that I do like about the duo-lock and breakaway clips is the rounded end that fits over the eye of your plug or lure. The Coastlocks and Crosslocks that I've seen manufatured for resale to consumers tend to have a wedgy type end to the clip that might impede the action of some lures. My biggest beef with the Duo-locks is that by the time you get them tweaked so that they can't be readily popped open, they are very hard on the finger nails and time consuming to open.

 

My question to the SOL community is: Does anyone know of a snap or how to make one that is of a better design that will not readily pop open and of lighter wire and size and still of comparable strength before it fails.

 

I will try to upload a picture of a commercially available Crosslock to give you an idea of what I am presently doing for my own use. Mine have a more rounded end like a Duo-lock than the one pictured. Will have to wait until next season to see if they cost me any fish. Please bear with me as this is the first time I've tried to upload a picture.

 

i found a snap like the one in the picture, are those what you make

 

 

[Lbifisherman429]

Seems like a good winter project for me.

 

I saw that you use .031 wire any ideas where i could find it (dont post links)

Did you make a jig to bend them?

[bass11]

.031 is just what I happen to have on hand. You might want to go up to .033. It was such a long time ago that I can't be sure where I got the wire. Perhaps Cabelas.

 

The only tools I use are a set of round nose pliers, a needle nose and a file to take away the sharp edges of the cut wire.

 

Seems like a good winter project for me.

 

I saw that you use .031 wire any ideas where i could find it (dont post links)

Did you make a jig to bend them?

 

 

[Lbifisherman429]

Oh ok.

if you get a chance could you explian how to make them (i understand if you want to keep it secret)

[bass11]

No secret. Just somewhat difficult for someone of my limited verbal skills to describe. Easiest thing to do would be to go buy some Crosslocks for a template and attempt to duplicate. Not that difficult, really. All I can say is that the round nose pliers are for round bends and the needle nose are for square bends. (use needle nose with ridges.) One other thing....I like the ends of the wire to be on the same side.

 

Oh ok.

if you get a chance could you explian how to make them (i understand if you want to keep it secret)

 

 

[Steve H.C.]

bass11,

I love to hear of people who can craft there own fishing gear. Hats off to you. I may have to give this a try during the winter.

Steve

[Charleston]

No that's not quite it. Those are more akin to Coastlock type snaps. The problem I have with most snaps is not the strength of the wire per se, but the fact that their designs allow them to pop open when they are torqued in just the right/wrong fashion. In order to prevent, most manufacturers increase the gauge or weight or the wire used and the size of the clip.....both of which are detrimental to the action of some lures to say nothing of increased visibility which may or may not be of any significance with stripers on most days.

 

The thing that I do like about the duo-lock and breakaway clips is the rounded end that fits over the eye of your plug or lure. The Coastlocks and Crosslocks that I've seen manufatured for resale to consumers tend to have a wedgy type end to the clip that might impede the action of some lures. My biggest beef with the Duo-locks is that by the time you get them tweaked so that they can't be readily popped open, they are very hard on the finger nails and time consuming to open.

 

My question to the SOL community is: Does anyone know of a snap or how to make one that is of a better design that will not readily pop open and of lighter wire and size and still of comparable strength before it fails.

 

I will try to upload a picture of a commercially available Crosslock to give you an idea of what I am presently doing for my own use. Mine have a more rounded end like a Duo-lock than the one pictured. Will have to wait until next season to see if they cost me any fish. Please bear with me as this is the first time I've tried to upload a picture.

 

 

 

I like the croslocks you are making. The radius in the leading wire is crucial. I build poppers and the long straight leading wire will not go in the cupped popper face. The bent wire will pas along the radius better!

Nice job

Are they commercially available? (meaning the crosslock brand)