attaching european skulls to panels--my method

[Bobbi Meyer]

I've simmered my skull with Dawn and Oxyclean, soaked for 2 weeks in ammonia to degrease, whitened with 40% peroxide ( per Michael P's instructions ) and sealed with Krylon satin, non yellowing clear spray.

If you're doing LARGE antlered animals, you will probably want to put bondo in the brain cavity, and not just the epoxy glue,
but proceed with the same instructions for the remainder of the tutorial.

I test fitted my pipe and have to rasp down a little of the hole to get it to fit. Don't rasp it so much that the pipe is loose. I'll actually tap it in with a hammer, holding the skull in my lap so I don't break the nose bones, so I want it pretty tight.

I'll put the pipe in, then mark with a pencil where it meets the skull.

[Bobbi Meyer]

Next, I'll take the pipe out and cut it about 1/8-1-4 inch shorter than the measurement.
Then I'll tap the pipe back in.

[Bobbi Meyer]

Then I'll mix up some two part epoxy glue, and apply it all around where the pipe touches the skull.

[Bobbi Meyer]

heres' the pipe inserted.
Then I'll take the panel, flip it OVER so I'm on the backside of the panel. Lay it on a towel so you don't scratch the front.
I'll align the skull where I want it, then mark under the middle of the skull on the panel where I'll make my hole.

[Bobbi Meyer]

next I'll drill a hole large enough for my 3" drywall screw to go through the panel.
Then I'll drill a SMALL hole in the skull ONLY. Don't screw into the pipe as you want the screw to be tight in the pipe.
I'll also put some hot glue in the molars so I don't scratch the board when I screw it down

[Bobbi Meyer]

Since this is a pedestal, I've put the block on already.
Then I'll take and drive my screw about halfway through the board.
I then put my skull on and screw it down.
I'll drill another hole about 1/2" in front of the other, then drive another screw in.

[Bobbi Meyer]

here you can see the two screws.
I then touched up the base of the antlers with burnt sienna, burnt umber and black acrylic paints thinned down.
thats it. takes about 30 min for everything

[mayamike]

Thank you so much for this tutorial on this subject Bobbi Very informative. Will work nicely on a elk I want to do.

[Bobbi Meyer]

If you're doing a large skull, you may want to use bondo in the brain cavity, then put in your pipe. All I do around here is deer, and I know this is strong enough to hold them, but with larger game, I'd suggest putting the bondo in there.

[Bucknut]

Bobbi,

For whitetails, I just drill a large hole in that thick bone on the bottom of the skull and use a toggle bolt to attach the skull to the placque. No pipe needed.

Bruce

[Bobbi Meyer]

I'm sure that would work too, but I have a tendency to overtighten stuff and sure as sheet, I'd bust the skull!!
I'd like to see that too, so post away. I may find a new method if yours looks good.

[Becky P]

Bobbi,

For whitetails, I just drill a large hole in that thick bone on the bottom of the skull and use a toggle bolt to attach the skull to the placque. No pipe needed.

Bruce

Yep, that's what I do too.

[Bucknut]

Bobbi,

I don't have any Euros to do this year - Yippi!  I hate those things. So I can't do photos. But basically, I take a 1/4 inch toggle bolt that is about 4 inches long. I drill a hole slightly larger than that through the panel so the bolt is not a tight fit. Then on the back of the skull in that thickest boney part, I drill a hole that is just large enough to slip the folded up toggle bolt in there. Don't slip it all the way in there yet. Just do a test fit to make sure the folded up end of the toggle bolt will go through the hole. Now you are ready to put it together. Take the toggle end off of the bolt, slip the bolt through the panel, re-attach the toggle to the bolt, slip the toggle bolt into the hole in the skull until the "wings" of the toggle spring free. Now you just tighten the bolt until it is tight. Your're done! The next time I do one, I will have to take some photos. \


Bruce 

[Becky P]

I just did one yesterday, never even thought about taking pics and I'm not taking it apart to take them now

[Bobbi Meyer]

oh come on Becky...where is your sense of adventure? HA