Making a resin printed jerk bait at home

The world of professional lure building is coming home thanks to free cad software and ever cheaper high quality 3d printers. For this project i wanted to make a simple bait that catches fish but also in a way that doesn't require a full workshop of tools and hours of messing around finishing the lures.

Using a low cost 3d resin printer I designed this lure to come off the build plate with only a small amount of work and some hardware so I could quickly get down the lake. It is slow sinking jerk bait with a fin to give it a little extra glide, but changing the screw in weights can change bait to make it more suitable for different conditions. At only 100mm or 4 inches and weighing in at 20g or ⅔ oz it is small and light enough for a range of species from pike, perch to bass and maybe something you would find in the sea.



Tools, materials, software


3D modelling software: Fusion 360 from Autodesk
This is still free for non commercial use for makers
https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/f...

3D slicing software: Chitubox
This is a free software that can be downloaded or sometimes
With resin printers. Its job is to take the 3d file from the modelling
Software and turn it into printable instructions.
https://www.chitubox.com/en/index


3d resin printer: Elegoo Mars 2 pro ( approx cost £189 Sept 2022)

This is an entry Level 3d resin printer from Elegoo but has proved to be
Incredibly accurate and easy to use. Available via Elegoo or amazon, there are a host of similar alternative printers and some research would be advised. Second hand these can be bought for under £100
https://www.elegoo.com/

Print time 5 hours 21minutes for ten bodies


3d resin: Elegoo ABS like resin colour smoky black

I chose this resin for its toughness not so much for the fish as the concrete pilings I tend to cast my lures at. Its main drawback is excess resin needs to be cleaned of with isopropyl alcohol which is a bit smelly. (£19 for 500ml Sept 2022, approx cost per lure body £00.30)


3d Curing station: Elegoo Mercury Curing station ( cost £54 Sept 2022)

This great little curing station and very easy to use with a turntable included, available form
Elegoo or Amazon
https://www.elegoo.com/


Rinsing out the lure: Isopropyl Alcohol
Sandpaper: 400 grit wet and dry
Threading weight holes; M6 metric tap
Drilling out for screw eyes: 1.5mm hss bit
Driling out for belly hook holder: 1mm hss bit
Belly weights: M6 s/steel grub screws 6mm and 10mm length (amazon)

LURE HARDWARE Purchased From Lurepaerts online USA based
https://www.lurepartsonline.com/

Screw eyes: ¾” x .072” wire s/steel closed eye code 4024
($1.52 per 10, Sept 2022)
Belly Hook hanger: Nickel plate brass code 4044 ($2.79 per 25)

Screws for hook hanger: ¼” screws code 4043-14 ($1.89 per 25)

Hooks: size 6 VMC Permasteel 9626ps purchased on ebay

All hardware glued on threads with 20min epoxy

Eyes: 6mm domes self adhesive eyes from Ebay

Paints and airbrushes bought from ebay, amazon and local art shop

Airbrushes: Iwata Revolution HP SAR (£95 Sept 2022)
Iwata Neo cn (£87 Sept 2022)
Compressor: 8lt oilless pancake (not going to name brand as it is rubbish)

Paints;

Auto air white acrylic base coat and sealer code 6095472
Thinned with distilled water

Daley Rowney FW ink: Flame red, black, shimmering green, emerald green, fluor yellow

Masking film: 50mm Bottle sealing shrink film from ebay amazon

Scale Pattern mesh: Plasterer’s fibreglass self adhesive scrim (big box store)

Clear Sealant: Plasti-kote 1138 400ml super clear rattle can (£6 Sept 2022)