First Attempt at Making a Lure - Using Fusion360/3D Printer

Inspired by middle school student lure making, I impulsively decided “I want to make one too!” and attempted my first lure making. As a beginner in lure making, 3D printers, airbrush, and 3D CAD software Fusion360, there were many processes that seemed difficult, but I managed to create a lure. In preparation for the next time I make one, I’ll record the process as a memo before I forget (see below).

Lure Making Process

※In my case, I studied the basic knowledge of Fusion360 “Form Modeling Basics” from a book. See next chapter for details.

STEP 1: Create Body

Create Body

Create lure body in 3D CAD software Fusion360 using “Form → Cuboid”, adding blocks, modifying forms, etc. ※Also utilized mirror function to make it symmetrical.

STEP 2: Internal Structure

Create Internal Structure

Create internal structure in Fusion360. (General procedure below)

1. Split body in half

2. Create walls by making inside of body hollow with shell.

3. Create spaces for weights/beads/lip, air layer, and hook eye space (Utilizing sketch, extrude, surface offset, split, etc.)

STEP 3: Create Eyes

Create Eyes on Body

In Fusion360, made eye parts of body about 1mm recessed. (Procedure: Draw circle in sketch → Extrude → Surface offset → Split with surface offset face) ※Created to accurately position sticker placement symmetrically.

STEP 4: Mirror Copy

Create Other Half with Mirror Function

STEP 5: Export Data

Export 3D Print Data (simplify3D)

Select “Tools → Make → 3D Printer” in Fusion360 to display 3D printer dialog box, 　・Click body half 　・Application: Select simplify3D 　・Print Utility: Select Custom 　Click OK to export to simplify3D

STEP 6: Slicer Settings

Slicer Settings

In Simplify3D, made flat surface of body the bottom and configured slicer settings. ※“Quality of 3D printer output changes depending on slicer settings”, so repeated fine-tuning of slicer settings until satisfied.

STEP 7: 3D Print Output

3D Printer Output

STEP 8: Glue Parts

Put weights and beads into 3D printer output parts and glue with acrylic resin adhesive.

STEP 9: Check Floating

Check Floating in Water

STEP 10: Sanding & Base Prep

Sanding and Surfacer Application

Since “quality of base affects quality of painting”, repeated steps 1-4 many many times until satisfied to eliminate 3D printer layer marks.

1. Sandpaper 400 → Wet sanding paper (600 → 800 → 1500)
2. Apply Surfacer ※Make handle by inserting wire into front and back holes of lure before applying
3. Dry (Hang wire on S-hook to dry)
4. Check presence/absence of 3D printer layer marks with light

STEP 11: Surfacer Finish

Surfacer Application

Apply Surfacer. (Just in case, did one final coat so sink marks and scratches won’t affect painting.)

STEP 12: Undercoat Coating

Water-based Urethane Coating (Undercoat Before Painting)

Coated with water-based urethane. (Procedure below)

1. Apply water-based urethane all over (dip coating or pour from above)
2. Natural drying (about 2-5 minutes)
3. Hair dryer drying (about 5 minutes)
4. Natural drying (about 1 day) Took quite a lot of time.

STEP 13: Airbrush Painting

Airbrush Painting

Painted in order from weak to strong hiding power colors. ※Washed airbrush handpiece every time I changed colors. (To prevent color mixing and dirt)

Reference: How to Use Airbrush

STEP 14: Attach Parts

Making Hook Eyes, Eyes, and Lip

【Hook Eyes】 ・Made with wire and attached with Bond Quick 5

【Eyes】 ・Made with stickers and attached

【Lip】

1. Create lip data in Fusion360 and export.
2. Cut acrylic plate with laser cutter.
3. Attach lip to lure with Bond Quick 5.

STEP 15: Top Coat

Water-based Urethane Coating (Top Coat)

Repeated water-based urethane coating (STEP 12) 5 times, resulting in glossy and nicely coated finish. ※During coating, be careful of liquid pooling.

STEP 16: Attach Hooks

Attach Rings and Hooks, Lure Complete!

STEP 17: Final Check

Check Floating in Water

Learning Form Modeling Basics

In my case, although I had studied Fusion360 for about half a year, I was unfamiliar and weak at form creation operations, so first I re-studied “Form Modeling Basics” from a book. That book was very easy to understand, so I’ll introduce it as a reference. Since you probably agonize greatly when buying books, I hope this can be one piece of information to help you choose a book suitable for yourself.

Book I Studied

The book I studied this time “Autodesk Fusion Masters Guide Basic Edition Revised 3rd Edition” has form modeling operation procedures, command usage, block movement methods, tips, etc. written in detail and carefully without skipping procedures, so even I who am weak at form modeling could understand easily. Previously, another book I used had skipped operation procedures (partial lack of operation explanation), and I had the trouble of searching the web etc. to supplement learning of operation procedures for those deficiencies, but this book had no such issues and I thought it was a really easy-to-understand good book.

【Title】Autodesk Fusion Masters Guide Basic Edition Revised 3rd Edition

【Chapter 7】: Form Modeling Basics

【Impressions】In Chapter 7 of this book, to learn “Form Modeling Basics” which is one of Fusion360’s features, you make a simple airplane. Even I who am weak at form modeling was able to successfully make the airplane shape task. (Photo below)

Type of Lure I Made

As my first work, I made a crankbait, a lure mainly used when targeting black bass. It’s a lure that receives water resistance with the lip, swaying the body and appealing to fish.

Impressions

The more I struggled with the process, the greater the sense of accomplishment when completed. During the process, I couldn’t quite get the hang of airbrush painting and made the scale range too wide, which is a big regret, so I want to take revenge someday. On the other hand, each process is so difficult that somewhere in my heart I also think “I don’t want to make lures anymore.” Probably, the next revenge might be after I have time to spare…