Help on home made snake hooks

[Feed'em All]

As many of you know (and most don't, lol) I am little bt little getting in the "hot world". Well, I managed to get two golf clubs (a iron 5 and a putter) take off their heads (it is done with flame, if anyone is interested), and now I am ready to place the hook ends.
OK, so the questions are:
*Is the hook made with aluminium?
*Which is the diameter of the hook end in standard hooks?
*Which are the measures of the hook ends?

I'll probably have a camera in a few days so I will try to show you my work. If anybody can take good pictures of the hook end showing me the measured, I will really appreciate it.

Thanks a lot, Martin.

[BWSmith]

Aluminm is OK for cage hooks, but you cant flip logs with it! I have one made the same way with a steel hook end and it works great. I think 1/4" to 1/2" steel will work. Depends on how far down you cut the shaft. For vipers, you want a "U" hook, for elapids you want an "L" hook. Although I have used each for both. If possible, www.tongs.com is the way to go. I rarely use anything but a Midwest hook for anything hot.

[Feed'em All]

I am in Argentina BWSmith, so is kinda impossible, and VERY VERY VERY expensive, to get Midwest products here, besides I don't think golf clubs are inferior in quality to profesional snake hooks.
More details: I didn't cut the shafts, I heat the heads, which are glued, the glue went off and I gently removed the head, so I have really long shafts.
I know the viperids (bothrops in my case) requires the "U" hook end, I just don't know the dimensions of the "U".
If u want I could make a lil draw with the measures I need.
Thanks, Martin.

[Feed'em All]

Here is the draw.
A B C D being the measures I need.
Martin.

[asphyxia]

Hi ,

Can you tell me why a U shape for Vipers, and L shape hooks for Elapids

Thanks
Brian

[J_Riley]

I would think b/c vipers are usually very heavy bodied compared to most elapids...and the U shape would support them better and make them a little more comfortable on the hook...

[BWSmith]

generally a "L" hook is used for elapids so you can get them on and off. the U hook gives them too much to grap onto, get tangled in, and a nice launching point to climb the hook.

But everyone has their preferences. Some people swear by U hooks for elapids.

[Tim and Julie B]

If you seriously get into HOT species I would suggest getting some pro Equipment. I've heard stories of home mades falling apart at the wrong time. Besides I can't support the needless slaughter of golf clubs!

[Lasher]

All golf clubs need to be slaughtered! 10 years I work! 10 years I improve. Gotta 6 handicap. That was at age 27, now I am 30 and am lucky to break 90. Golf is better left to those super rich, super human few like Tiger Woods and Bob Hope.

[Gregg M]

I would go with a U hook that is alittle deeper than the drawing shows...... I like to use a deep U hook when handling vipers....... The L hook is also great for all types of tree dwelling vipers......

[Feed'em All]

To Gregg: Thanks! I know the drawing isn't good at all, but at least the measures I need could be noticed...
To ppl telling me to get pro equipment: I live in Argentina!!! Do you know how much stuff is available here? NONE!
Anyway, thanks 4 the tips, keep'em coming....
Martin.

[Gregg M]

C- 4 and a half to 5 inches
B- 3 and a half to 4 inches
A- 1 and a half to 2 inches
With these messurments you can build yourself a nice hook for large vipers...... Good luck bud.....

[Feed'em All]

Again, Thanks a lot Gregg, I promess I'll show the final product in the forums.
Take care, Martin.