[nralover]

What is a good type of foam for poppers? I read somewhere that plain old styrofoam, and water noodles from the pool section work well. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks, NRA

[Piscator]

I have a bag full of foam poppers a friend made from a dollar store flip flop using a drimil tool. They work great. I think I've read an article about making them but will have to hunt it up and let you know where I found it.
Thanks,
Terry

[nralover]

Originally Posted by darkknight

I have a bag full of foam poppers a friend made from a dollar store flip flop using a drimil tool. They work great. I think I've read an article about making them but will have to hunt it up and let you know where I found it.
Thanks,
Terry

Sounds great, thank you

[Frank Whiton]

Hi nralover,

The best foam is closed cell foam. If you don't use closed cell foam you need to seal the foam with paint or better yet, epoxy.

A very good way to make poppers is with Balsa Wood bought at the local hobby shop. You will still need to seal the wood. Balsa wood poppers have been used for years and works very well. Get a 1/2" rod and have a go at it. If you want big bass poppers then go with 3/4".

Frank

[MrEsox]

I get my popers through a pack. It comes with the head already made and hooks. All you have to do is put the head on however you want it (regular poper or sneeky pete) then add the stuffs to the rest of the hook. They also paint very well. Also one thing is, if you use any sort of glue on it to make sure it wont melt it. Some supper glues melt that stuff. So far I have not found any paint that harms it. For referance I will post under patterns the pete I just made.

[aroostookbasser]

Ok here's how we do it up here in Maine.......

1. Start by making cutters out of steel line, fuel/brake or whatever you can find. Choosing diameters that fit the size of the heads you want. Go to heavy equipment shops for a good selection.

2. Cut the pipe off into manageable pieces say 3 inches long. Then using a file sharpen the edge, the outer edge. To aid in cutting you can serrate the edge with a triangle file.

3. I mount mine in a hobby drill press. It gives me speed and depth control. Remember to place a piece of plywood over table prior to use. To keep from dulling the cutters on the drill press table.

4. Now using "Flip-Flops" as a source for foam I drill out bodies in all sizes and colors. Some flipflops come in multiple colored layers. Blue/white/blue, or yellow/black/yellow. I get all I can handle from my local department store on clearance each fall.

5. Generally I do not reshape these plugs. But as someone previously posted. You could spin these plugs in a dremel tool and "lathe" them to a tapered profile. Either using an xacto knife or sandpaper. But I have great luck using my "earplugs" as is.