DIY: Build a Cup Turner for Leveling Epoxy on Fishing Lures

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What is a cup turner?

The concept of a cup turner is a device that turns something that is coated (with epoxy for example) that you wanted to dry evenly…its like a rotisserie. The application to lure making is this will allow you to evenly dry the epoxy when sealing your lures.

Materials Needed

• 3/4 plywood/hardboard/particle board
• 7/8″ Dowel Rod
• 3/16″ Dowel Rod
• Microwave Motor
• Alligator Clips

Step 1: Cut the Frame for the Turner

Begin by cutting the 3/4″ board into 3 identical pieces measuring 13.5″ x 5″ (I chose to use leftover particle board). These measurements can be adjusted, depending upon the desired size of the cup turner.

Step 2: Mark the Center Point for the Turning Dowel

Location is your prerogative, but mark an identical center point on two of the boards produced in step 1. I chose to drill through to ensure they were exactly even, but you could scribe it as well.

Step 3: Bore the Hole for the Large Dowel

Using a 7/8″ Forstner Bit, drill a hole halfway through at the marked center point of 1 board.

Step 4: Bore Another Hole for the Large Dowel

Using a 7/8″ Forstner Bit, bore a hole completely through at the marked center point of the second board. You should now have a board with a hole that is halfway through and a separate board with a hole bored completely through.

Step 5: Attach First Side to the Base

Using screws/pilot holes or a tack nailer, attach the side with the half bored hole to the base.

Step 6: Cut the Dowel to Size

Cut the dowel to 13.25″. You will want to double-check your size once you begin assembling the 2nd half to make sure the dowel spins freely.

Step 7: Bore Holes In Dowel

Mark the center line on the dowel and bore 3/16″ holes at your chosen distance. Mark the center line 90 degrees from the previous line and drill holes at the midpoint of the previous line to allow more lures to be attached. Sand smooth.

Step 8: Reduce Size of Large Dowel Ends

Wrap some sandpaper around the dowel rod and widening the hold be turning the dowel to ensure it will spin freely. Do this to both end of the dowel.

Tip: Use A Drill
To speed up the process, you can drill a pilot hole into one end of the dowel and drive a star-pattern screw. This will give you leverage to turn the dowel with a drill…just be careful, lots of friction can burn!

Step 9: Bore Hole to Attach Cup Turner

This is the most crucial part of the process. You need to center the attachment point of the motor in the large dowel. Once centered, bore a hole slightly smaller than the attachment point and “press” in the fitting i.e. hammer it in. It must be snug to have the leverage to turn the dowel.

Tip: Screw It Tight
In addition to pressing in the fitting, you can drive some all-thread with a matching thread pattern to more firmly attach the fitting.

Step 10: Attach the Motor

Slide the dowel-side with the fitting through the unattached-side with the through hole and attach to motor with the set screws. Support the dowel as the leverage could pull the fitting out of the dowel.

Step 11: Attach the 2nd side to the base

Attach the 2nd side with the motor to the bottom frame. Ensure the dowel is fitting into the half-bored hole on the opposite-side. Secure the motor to the side with screws.

Step 12: Attach the Dowels and Clips to the Turner

Using the 3/16″ dowel, run it through a hole to the desired length and cut the opposite end even using a flush cut saw. Slide on the alligator clips.

Tip: Snug It Up
You want everything here snug! I use some door wax to coax the dowel through the same-size hole but you can drill out slightly with a hand drill. You can also use needle nose to open up the alligator clip attachment point a bit.

You’re Done

You should now have a perfectly functioning cup turner to let the epoxy evenly cover your lures.