pole flosts - Talk Angling fishing chat and tackle advice

MattMatchMan · 11th November 2007, 07:45 PM

Hi Guys,
I am thinking of making my own pole floats so i can get them exactly how i want them

.
Has any one got any tips on what materials and paint i could use ect...

Thanks in advance Matt.

Larry Teepot · 11th November 2007, 08:02 PM

how do you exactly want them......

captaincargo · 12th November 2007, 06:40 AM

Get yourself a mains powered drill (with variable speed settings) and a bench clamp.
Go to your local model shop and buy some 1200 grade wet and dry sandpaper and lengths of stainless steel wire and balsa,cut the balsa up into the required length.
Buy yourself a bait drill from the tackle shop and drill (by hand) through the middle of the cut balsa body.Clamp up the bait drill in the drill chuck and turn on the drill set at the lowest setting,now start rubbing down the balsa body to your required shape.

Oneabung · 12th November 2007, 08:05 AM

The shaping of the balsa is the easy bit, the hardest part is getting the paint finish correct, you can't just use any old paint... I found the best thing was a bit of cellulose dope mixed probably 90% - 10% with coloured enamel to get the required finish.

MattMatchMan · 12th November 2007, 04:46 PM

ok cheerse guys

Brian G · 12th November 2007, 05:15 PM

Dont think 1200 grit paper is right, I reckon Aldis cheap bog paper would be rougher

, at a guess 100 and 200 grit would be ok 100 to rough shape and 200 to smooth prior to painting.

Brian G · 12th November 2007, 05:18 PM

Dont think 1200 grit paper is right, I reckon Aldis cheap bog paper would be rougher

, at a guess 100 and 200 grit would be ok 100 to rough shape and 200 to smooth prior to painting.
I would use a matt paint for the body colours as it dont show the blemishes like a gloss does.

MattMatchMan · 12th November 2007, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian G

Dont think 1200 grit paper is right, I reckon Aldis cheap bog paper would be rougher

i use broken glass its a bit softer and more gental than the Aldi bog paper

BigPole · 12th November 2007, 09:43 PM

I make my own floats. If you tell me what you want I can make you a few for free? Then if you like them i can do an order for you or show you what i do?

mickS · 15th November 2007, 01:09 PM

if you can get hold of novembers issue of northern angling today theres an article on gaz malman and how he makes his floats
mick