grommetize or counter sink

[boatgirl]

if you were not so lucky to have a lu-special, would you grommetize or counter sink your belly grommets

[Ed White]

Interesting poll.....

Some plugs, I just shove the grommet into a plain hole and let the etex fill in the gap ( I epoxy after wiring). Works better on large diameter plugs. I also epoxy the grommets in before wiring, which helps to further fill the gap.

Other plugs, I spotface the area around the hook hole with a 1/2" Forstener bit before drilling the hook hole. Gives a clean finished look when finally assembled..

3rd, since I seal my plugs with epoxy, the surface of the wood really hardens up, and on some plugs I'll skip the grommet altogether. A plugbuilder friend I know believes that a major cause of rusty hooks is due to the presence of dis-similar metals in close proximity to one another, while being in a saltwater bath. Stainless thru-wire, a swivel of some sort, the grommet and a VMC hook are most likely all made of different materials.

I've only recently started using the plugs I made this way, so far no ill effects due to a lack of a grommet, and time will tell with the rust issue.

I went with countersunk for the poll.

[The Lure Washer]

I made my own grommetizer based on one that ive seen and to be honest i like the counter sunk look better!

[capesams]

hardwood needs no grommet..but looks unfinished and for the few seconds it take to pop them in it's worth it...unless your selling your plugs by the hundreds,each one will cost you lost time in profit.

 

don't care for the sunken grommet look.

 

the lu tool is only used when I make very small dia needles,otherwise it's the rubber hammer for the rest and the ice pick.

[Steel Pulse]

Can't stand the counter bored look. Much prefer the stream line contoured flush look. Just my 2 cents

[Steel Pulse]

Another thing I don't like is when the grommet is put in and hits on one side of a tapered piece of wood and is not flush on the other side. You need to drill your belly holes perpendicular with the wood surface so it sits flush all around. This requires you to drill at the angle the plug body goes. You can't just drill straight in as the belly grommet will sit as the hole goes. You need to tilt your plug so drill goes in perpendicular. Cutting hairs here and has no bearing on how they catch but if you are going to go thru all the trouble to put them in you may as well do it right.

[pogie_boy]

I have a 3 in 1 smithy I could sell to someone who knew how to machine things... at a discount for someone who would make me a grommitizer

[Sparky]

Splitting hairs in my book. But I'll always be a hack.

I countersink because it's all I got. I agree that the grometized look is cleaner. But I don't even use a gromet on plugs for personal use. Hell, alot of my personal stash doesn't even have eyes. 1 less thing for me to screw up.

[mfm22]

Pulse has a good point -perpendicular to plug body -not square ends

It's all in the details

 

I'm a hack so grommetizer is a ball peen hammer

[Charleston]

Pulse has a good point -perpendicular to plug body -not square ends

It's all in the details

 

I'm a hack so grommetizer is a ball peen hammer

 

 

 

You want the hook to hang straight at float! If a popper and the plug sits tail down OK fine.

I think the belly hook hole should be perp. to the through wire. Make the grommet sit right later. it's all part of the craft.

 

That guy Steel Pulse is too much of a machinist.

[goldenmember]

I have a 3 in 1 smithy I could sell to someone who knew how to machine things... at a discount for someone who would make me a grommitizer

 

 

may take you up on that!

[Ratty]

You guys are really over thinking this.

 

As long as it catches fish and the plug isn't split at the belly hook, I don't think there is a "right way" or "wrong way" to do it.

[BigFishLarry]

I have a "Lou" grommetizer......I prefer to countersink mine! The grommetizer is very cool though! To each his own!

[Jig Man]

You guys are really over thinking this.

 

As long as it catches fish and the plug isn't split at the belly hook, I don't think there is a "right way" or "wrong way" to do it.

 

 

I agree. They are your plugs. Grommetize, counter sink them, leave them off, they are your plugs. Whatever makes you happy is what you should do and not worry about how others think you should do the unimportant things.

 

On another note, I think folks should on BF Larry some for using more than his fair share of exclamation points. Hey! Save some for the rest of us!!

 

Jigman !!!!!!

[Steel Pulse]

i did say it doesn't effect the catching ability of the plug. yes this is really cutting hairs but hey that is what we do.

 

I already give Lawrence too much grief so i'll just watch