Making Fishing Floats (bobbers) on a Hand Cranked Lathe

Building a hand cranked lathe and turning balsa fishing floats (bobbers)
I have always been a bit envious of fly tiers; not because of the work the produce but the iddy, biddy workspace and the vice. With this project I wanted a fly tier's workspace and similar tools but instead of creating flies I wanted to make fishing floats. As always getting from the initial idea to a usable float was a bit of circus but I think I got there in the end.

[@jordanpayne7249]

Got these thinking they were the slightly larger Panfish floats kzbin.infoUgkx_rJB7cli5f1ofPVGgn80S7Yj4vqwq0gU they work just fine. The smaller size lets me carry more in my tackle box, and the 3 color choices are nice for different lighting conditions, backgrounds, etc. They aren't the most durable things in the world. But, as cheap as they are, it's not heartbreaking to lose one or have to replace a worn one. The price on these fluctuates wildly, from about $9 to almost $16. So, time your buy accordingly.

[@garyfinn8772]

I was transfixed watching this wish I had that confidence in doing a job like that . Brilliant

[@heathward6414]

I enjoyed watching this video very much. Great editing, camera angles and no annoying music or meaningless chatter. Two of my favorite subjects in one video woodworking and fishing. Very well done.

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

Heath Ward You should come fishing with me when you need some meaningless chatter, Thanks

[@rontucker8389]

This would be an excellent project in the winter, when it’s too cold to fish. Thanks for the video.

[@cmoore185]

I have watched some other videos that you have and all are good. You give us old geezers with free time lots of ideas.

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

+C moore My father has taken to grinding rocks into sand for his retirement and he is not using any machines, hard labour would be a holiday for him

[@leonardobisognobernardini823]

My father used to do this type of fishing, he was really good. When I was 7 or 8, I don't remember well, I used to follow him in little lake near my town, in Viareggio, Italy. He passed away when I was 10, but I still have these "bobbers" (I didn't know their english name). thanks for sharing this with us, thank you so much.

[@MRMEDIC01]

one thing i remember years ago my grandad rip , took me fishing , he had some porcupine floats , really old skool tackle talking years ago now ( 40 years about ) , and them porcupine quils really impressed me , i never fished again since then just never had the time really , since i got injured at work and recoverd , i got back into it , started making a few bobbers with cork , then progressed to balsa , then carved wood etc , nothing better than catching a fish with a good hand made and well crafted float that you made by yourself on a beaming hot summers day , sat with a ice cold at the side of you enjoying the sunshine , having a sip every now and then , getting fresh air and generally not having a care in the world , takes me back to that day sat at the side of my grandad , brilliant it is , really enjoy a day fishing now. its a good hobby to get into , ive made hundreds of floats and there all top quality , and i really do enjoy doing it ... love the fishing also ... very relaxing.

[@maxwiedenheft641]

Mr Adams that's an awesome set-up. Im going to go out and pickup a hand drill today and watch your video a few more times. I tie my own flys and make small floats . Im going to start ultra light fishing. And thos looks like a great place to start. Thanks for sharing your videos...

[@greybeardfishing1996]

being a carpenter myself i can appreciate the skill in making these floats, great vid, well done.

[@donb3557]

The Brain of Heath Robinson and the patience of a Saint! I imagine you are a good angler as well! I don't think I have enjoyed a video this much since I viewed a man, in Thailand (I think ) making a shrimp lure out of plastic straws with the minimum of tools that would put most fly tiers to shame, including me lol! He caught a squid on it as well! Thanks for sharing your ingenuity absolutely Brilliant!

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

Thanks for taking the time to comment, i had set out to use the electric drill but as an experiment i found with a bit hand cranking i could get there, maybe nothing like as fast. I still use the electric drill when when i am over cranked, but i at some point i plan to add a bif flywheel and a treadle plate. Cheers

[@seeitpickitbinit2510]

I think micro lathes are now so cheap on Ebay, that float making is within everyone’s reach.

[@jackdotzman2908]

Extremely well done video. Wish more people took the time to make video's like this, not to mention the quality of the floats. Very well done, thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills with your viewers. Jack

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

Thanks, and thanks for taking the time to comment Paul Adams

[@pulumputru1234]

Considering the labour and idea of this genius each float should at $1000 a piece. Thought it may be worth a penny. Wow genius.

[@tarmacdemon]

Nice to see hand tools being used not All singing and dancing power tools .....And I thought I was the only one left to use a Yankee screw driver . Thumbs up mate .

[@duanemousseau]

I wish I had the talent but obiviously you are more inclined to do this type of work. It would be a great hobby for sure. Funny, I am 67 years old and last week was the first time I ever used a bobber for fishing. We were fishing for crappie and blue gill and my friend introduced me to bobber fishing. It was fun and we caught a lot of fish. Thaks for the reply. Good luck fishing.

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

no, i started a engineering apprenticeship when left school at 16, i did about four months which gave me intro to machines and basic metalwork. I have spent most of life working in building materials sales, and woodwork/metalwork/junkwork has just been a hobby. cheers

[@rahulingle9345]

I am confused it so flute making video for late making video

[@danwillis2671]

I think this is very cool. First that you use hand tools efficiently, second that you had the desire to think thru this and create the process, thirdly, that you shared it. Bobbers a really inexpensive and can be bought just about anywhere but you obviously understand the deep satisfaction of creating something useful for yourself, and I would guess for your friends as well. Be proud of this and keep posting videos. Excellent work. Ignore they nay sayers. Their thumbs down is simple jealousy.

[@MRMEDIC01]

^ respect !

[@MrVlassisd]

Excellent job and they look awesome. Very well done. Greetings from Greece. 👍

[@joeb2524]

Very interesting. I never would have thought of any of that, especially the hand drill lath. How neat. Great skill and thought.

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

not sure where that came from myself but i am still using it, thanks

[@dougbiles6110]

you are amazing and if it's possible to just learn a few of your talents then I will be a better "fiddler" and happy. Thank you for posting everything.

[@Mr_Sunnshine]

Paul.i have to say that you made your lathe the most simplest way possible ,and those floats. even in proffesional shop i wouldnt find so wellmade. I loved it. Make more ,,how to make it videos,, sorry for my english

[@rrobb123]

Great video - only surprise was was seeing the rod and reel combo you were using at the end looked modern . Was expecting to see something like an old cardinal on a Bruce & Walker or something like that.

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

Not everything is old school, but the guy in the local tackle shop keeps wanting to give me split cane rods to restore, so far i have avoided it along with wearing a deerstalker but i suspect one day it will happen, cheers

[@Самоделкидлярыбалки]

Hello, no words, excellent job. Everything is clear and easy to understand. Thank you for the video.

[@purpleturkey11]

Well done Paul, I do lots of fly tying and woodwork ... this is very clever. You've made me fancy my chances making a float or two. Very nice film I enjoyed it thank you. Pete

[@fluffchucker13]

Paul. Glad to see my garage isn't the only `it'll come in handy someday' one And they put TV programmes on - calling us hoarders - cheeky buggers PS - I have a Myford Super 7 lathe, so I'll give the floats a go, many thanks

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

+Steve Gait You should be able to go into business with a proper lathe

[@apeioj]

I agree, this video is amazing. he really knows his stuff and his craftsmanship is stellar

[@ipod1978]

Paul you're the UK's version of DiResta for us anglers in my opinion. Cracking video pal and always entertaining. Thanks again for the templates

[@seeitpickitbinit2510]

If you want to make a float paint/varnish drier, supermarkets have mini motor driven units which are geared down to slowly turn disposable display signage. These could be made for drying home made floats, they throw them away, atleast Asda do, polluting idiots, so if you see one, ask someone to reserve it and you’ll have a very useful tool.

[@donmurray1051]

I really appreciate your craftsmanship with this project! Well done. Thanks for the great video.

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

+Don Murray Cheers, i think it was just something that got out of hand but was fun to make

[@Joe-sein-Hobbykanal]

sehr beeindruckende und sehr schöne handarbeit. vielen herzlichen dank für's zeigen

[@LuisRomero-uw1rz]

Me encanto, lo del empatillado con los hilos de colores, y tu soporte para el taladro manual. Yo estoy usando un taladro eléctrico de revoluciones variables( 0 en adelante), y con un pedal lo acciono, así tengo las dos manos libres para trabajar en el flotador. Tus boyas son de lujo!

[@mikejames663]

Gotta say, really enjoyed that (as a fly fisher), real down to earth stuff, and the target of producing something really useful, especially the binding routine, class, real class.

[@MrMccurley]

@ min 20- holy crap, a yankee screwdriver! I haven't seen one of those in decades. Mr. Adams you are a hardcore master of the DIY craft...

[@carzg6949]

In the beginning I was like.. What on earth is he doing! But the more I watched it the more interesting it got and by the end I was sorry it was over!

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

That is my video making process.... in the beginning i am like, what in earth am i doing, but mainly it works out. Cheers

[@fernrjf]

Hi Paul, The hand Lathe Idea is really Neat. I'm going to email this one a couple of fishing friends!!!! Thanks !!!!

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

the materials for the lathe and the drill were all salvage, the wood from a bed. The balsa, was £0.79 for 3ft, the thread i had but a six pack cost me about £6 and the dope £10 for 1ltr. The skewers cost £1 for loads, so not too bad price wise. These tend to get lent out to other fisherman at the lake although i seldom get them back. I have been using basically one float for the last two years, and only changed to this new float for the vid. cheers

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

It is nice of you to take time out of your busy schedule promoting your Bullet Bobbers to make comments on my videos.

[@m1rk3]

It's like how it's made, i love the speed of the video. Not too slow or too fast.

[@SolarfallBaits]

that's ingenious, i guess its true what they say when there is will there is always a way.

[@Ralf1erudd]

All done so well from safety and use of clamps to the design of the floats similar to the expensive and highly breakable antenna plastic floats by Drennan. I bet yours stand a lot more abuse :-). Great video loved it.

[@61diemai]

First I've thought , why is he not doing the float on the electric drillpress straightaway , but not being familiar to this seemingly tradional English built of floats , I figured out , that the hand cranked lathe is absolutely essential for these beautiful thread windings ! Your skills and ingeniousity never seize to amaze me , Paul , always a great pleasure spectating , truly . I often see such hand drills on fleamarkets , always wondered what they were good for in the age of electric plugs !

[@rexclay2231]

i like it very much but when do get time to fish , some snowy winter i may try , thank you for the video, it was very good

[@genecallen3520]

Love your videos Paul. They always get me motivated to go tinker in the workshop.

[@jahrolo]

i enjoy this video so much... i watch it from time to time, it´s so meditative

[@MRMEDIC01]

you dont need to superglue it mate , you can tie it off and dip it , it becomes air tight when the dope / varnish etc dries and it will seal its self to the wood , really only need super glue if your doing carbon or metal stems ( only reason im saying that is super glue after a while will turn white and youl end up with white on the eye of the floats , also wickes do cheap wooden floor varnish , £14 for 2 liter , not sure of the price now but it was when i bought it , 3rd dip and its like glass and rock solid , gives a really nice finish, good video though , thanks for posting it and have a good day . all the best, and good luck fishing , hope you catch plenty.

[@crappiejosh]

Very very cool project makes me want to make my own

[@JAMILAD]

Nice worck the truth is i like the fast voice that you make with the machines its sound like electro music

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

abde lhak jamil Sometimes saying nothing at all is best, thanks

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

i was out today fishing with a piece of bamboo stuck through a couple of corks, it worked for me i caught 2 pike. Cheers

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

i never made a plan for this as after checking other peoples hand cranked drills i realized that they are not all the same, even Stanley have more than one model and copies from other companies and China range in size. In the end i worked off the drill I had which is unbranded and a rescue item from a skip. Sorry The timber was 3"x1" planed and the short lengths 6 x 4"

[@DAHLIAkustik]

what a great idea bro..thank you.. good luck and greetings..

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@thebowman2]

I remember as a child putting a piece of skewer trough a wine cork, but this is way better of course

[@gee3883]

Great stuff, not what I enjoyed more the floats or how to make the lathe. Nice thing to watch when I'm laying in bed with a fecked back

[@jcalbright2]

Awesome job on all your creation

[@isaacbrascoupe]

Great instructions 👍 Will be making some soon for my family and I !!!

[@백상연-p6s]

Wow nice handmade..i love it.👍👍👏👏

[@Mainsail1975au]

That was really nice work, and very well edited. Thankyou.

[@jasonrenshaw9010]

Very interesting and thought provoking. I have seen similar before but not done ass well!

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

Thanks, i think for me this was about making something that is kind of commonplace but from a different approach.

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

I have seen people use polyurethane varnish with some thinners, this takes a little longer to dry but normally requires less coats, spray lacquer may work also. I bought this balsa wood from an art and craft shop, i am not sure if you would get it from a diy shop, model shops normally stock balsa. Hope this helps.

[@kingklabe]

I found that cutting the arse end off a safety pin makes a decent eyelet but the outward tension threatens to ruin the idea. I did however find that a good hard pinch with the side cutters close to the loop tames it. In fact if you pinch it just beyond its limit the new inward tension grips the stick pretty well.

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

kingklabe i have not tried the safety pin method but may give it a go on my next float making video, thanks

[@getoffyoubassandletsfish8565]

I loved making a bunch of these with the kids but the fish DESTROYED THEM!

[@richardharveyallsopfineart1492]

Great Video and floats. I love making floats and flytying too!

[@MICHAELZHANGCA]

Very cool! Beautiful work.

[@mistermatsuda]

Cool vid and very nice bobbers.

[@robbieh.9435]

Just amazing! the time it took to do all this is incredible, but you love it, I understand, it's not the fish so much as the act of being a great craftsman! enjoying what you can make with your hands! Probably, this is how things were done in the old world, something people take for granted! I personally wouldn't go to the trouble, but it's your thing, obviuoslly you enjoy making these wonderful bobbers!

[@AntoPine91]

Magnifique travail dû bois superbe bouchons de pêche super travail d'artiste 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 merci

[@cattienfishing2228]

Thank you for making these videos I mean, very perfect, expecting America and the aspect ratio you will do more, can float for sea fishing again. Wish you health

[@makograham]

That is awesome. ..... All sorts of skills involved. Well done

[@mufasa473]

for a while there i completely forgot about the floaters and what was going on, but very nice work.

[@noticon75]

Love the video! and the lathe and the float! so awesome! Beautiful work! I would love to do this but I'm cheap and lazy and would just buy them! :) Keep it up love seeing craftsmanship and stuff not made in China!

[@talldave1000]

Very clever. Great job!

[@villagetackle]

Thanks for sharing Paul. Now I have found a use for that crank drill that has been stuck in my work drawer for years.

[@LeighWinspear]

good stuff. your lovely wooden setup is spoilt a bit by the big plastic clamp and on the bank, where is your hand made centre pin reel? mesmerising stuff none the less and id watch again.

[@charlietango186]

Thank you for that, I was well impressed, very informative and love the finished product as well as the video

[@tattoos1988]

I’m a new subscriber and I make some of my own floats I have to say they are really nice floats they look like the old style peacock floats simple easy homemade tool to make great looking and useable floats I like the fact that you added in the fishing at the end to show how well they work look forward to more of your videos all the best god bless

[@BasicFishingNZ]

lol really like to use those quil floats :) it's always exciting to see the float going down and a fish at the end. really cool video btw

[@fatimafatma4522]

the first

[@MangoTree651]

Its just that you make things with such precision, I was thinking maybe you were a sports car fanatic also. Are you an engineer by profession?

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

in the uk it is called Nitrocellulose Dope, in the US it may be called Nitrate dope or aircraft dope. It is used by RC airplane makers to coat their aircraft.It is similar to the coatings Rapala used origianlly for their lures cheers

[@t.chqkqn1505]

Eğitiçi dinlendiriçi sunum olmuş tebrikler

[@Garcia210611]

Very nice work and video. Great! :-) Greetings from Italy

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

Greetings

[@johnnybaer8268]

That is art. Awesome job

[@fellovercliff4525]

Great work Amigo'' I'm not happy unless I'm making something'' so will give a few of these a go, cheers!

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

+Pip Aussie Good Luck

[@shuk8983]

good job. . . that call make it from hearts. . .👍👍👍

[@Fotoliste]

That's awesome video for the river fishing!

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

i don't have a car i have a bicycle and trailer and the engine is not much to look at. Maybe one day Discovery will discover me and i will get a cookery show, Thanks

[@jayhurst4150]

Awesome very intelligent man,would love to be able to do this.

[@백상연-p6s]

berry nice diy fishing float 👍👍

[@mr62symon]

Vraiment du très bon travaille très propre et précis respect

[@onza04]

Awesome stuff Paul. Fishing is the best.

[@Loganeffecto]

100% A+ demo! Thank you for taking the time. What if you wanted to stain them first? Would the dope remove the stain? Also is the shrinking dope necessary or could I just verbiage them without dope? Thanks again.

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

The solvents in dope react with a lot of paints, i have experimented with acrlyic paint before dope but has never been 100% succesfull, i always tend to get some bleed.A couple of coats of Varnish is great alternative with paints or even with wrapping, i used dope for speed becasue i can make a float and be fishing with it the next day. Thanks and goog luck

[@apeioj]

Amazing, amazing, amazing! this video is stellar. your work, attention to detail and videography is awesome. I made something very similar to this but used my electric drill. Overall, your video is one im saving

[@duanemousseau]

Your good! I could never do that. But, they are so cheap and that's a lot of work to get a bobber. Myself, I think I'll just buy one.

[@Itsnotsafeandeffective]

Nice work..I use similar lathe made from an old microwave turn table for rod building.

[@BeaglyO]

So many ideas. So well photographed. Love your work. Master at work!

[@tomharrell1954]

This is a great video. The video shows exactly how to make a float like yours. I am sure I could do it after watching the video. But I am missing something. Are you saying that this float works better or are you say it just more fun to fish with something you made yourself? Or both? Keep up the cool stuff.

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

I am not saying anything in this video, it is silent. I wanted to make some fishing floats and go fishing so that is what i did. I do not know if they are better or worse or what they should be better or worse than. I know i went fishing and after i turned the caemra off and sat whatching my float amongst the reeds nothing much ealse mattered. Oh and i caught some more fish. When people ask me about the floats at the lake, their first response on seeing them is most often that i should sell them, so i wonder if there is something wrong with me if i just want to fish with them. Thanks

[@tomharrell1954]

Ok you are just doing it for your own pleasure. That's great. I think the people asking you to sell them may have a good idea. Their cool.

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

cheers

[@omenposthc]

this video teach me how to do some 'DIY' thanks bro, that was awesome glossy f floats

[@harveybond2765]

What a great little film ! well done

[@Brannok812]

Great video, beautiful work! What are you using for "shrinking dope"? Polyurethane?

[@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

No, it is nitrocellulose dope, but many people us polyuerthane which is a bit thicker and requires longer to dry but needs fewer coats. Thanks

[@erikscherder92]

Hello, The Netherlands over here.... What on earth is non shrinking dope? :))

[@rastavapa6364]

the best thing ever

[@saidazan72]

Awesome video

[@GJC985]

amazing video adam great skills... brilliant stuff

[@cyklotronpl7785]

you got plenty of spare time