Basic Steps to Attach a Panel

[Wayne R]

The first steps in attaching a panel is to find the center of the manikin and the panel it will go on. On every form I get in, I automatically find the center, on the chance the customer will want to add a panel later on. It's just a little easier to find the center before the animal is mounted. The next few photos show the manikin being measured from side to side and a line drawn down through the center.







The next photo shows the center of manikin and a hole one inch below center that is drilled to line up the manikin to the panel. This will line the form one inch higher off center on the panel. I think it is more pleasing as to how it fits the panel and it gives you an extra inch of room when attaching a nameplate.



The customer that requested the panel, is having his deer mounted on a manikin that doesn't allow me to go down one inch and hit wood. This one I  had to go down 3 inches from center. With that in mind, in order to raise the mount one inch higher on the panel, the first attaching screw needed to be 2 inches below center, on the panel. As a rule, you only have to find dead center on the panel to line up with the hole on the form that is one inch below center. This shows the manikin that has to be drilled lower than one inch.



The next few photos show the same procedure in finding the center on the back of the panel. This particular panel was 22 inches long. Dead center is the mark at 11 inches, and normally this where a hole would be drilled to match, or line up with the hole drilled on the manikin. Since the hole on the mainkin was 3 inches lower, a hole was drilled 2 inches below center in the panel. A screw is then screwed into the hole until it sticks out far enough to start in the hole on the manikin. Sometimes it may need to be out a bit, because of the thickness of the fur tacked on the backside of the form.









Below is a photo of the manikin attached to the panel. It was deliberately attached leaning to one side, to show that it is a simple matter of just pushing the mainkin to one side, so it will pivot on the screw and line up with the center lines. It is to now ready to accept at least 2 more screws to anchor the mount when finished. It should be noted that after centering the finished mount on the panel, you should tuck all the hair that is getting pushed out to the sides, between the manikin and the panel to give it a more finished look.





The next photo shows where 2 more holes would be drilled and counter sunk, when you are ready to attach the finish mount. They are determined by eye how the manikin sits on the panel. The screw in the center of the panel as rule gets moved down a bit, but this one was lowered to begin with, and probably won't be moved. It also shows where the hanger now goes on the panel. As a rule I have the hanger ready to go but I don't drill any more holes in the panel until the mount is finished.



When attaching the hanger, I always find the length of the screws to be used on the drill, and wrap the drill bit with masking tape. This assures me that I'm drilling deep enough into the panel so I won't split the wood, and at the same time I'm not drilling too deep and going through the panel on the show side.



Here is manikin on the panel to give you an idea of how it will look. It will fill out the panel a little more once it is mounted. I'm sure other folks have preference as to how attach a panel, this one works for me. Maybe it will work for you.

[Wayne R]

Here is the finished product before it goes out the door. Before tightening the screws all the way I like to make sure all the fur is tucked in behind the manikin, to help give it a clean look all around. This particular deer had both arm pits, and the brisket cut. There was just enough to piece things together, but the hair patterns in that area are a little rough.

[George Roof]

Wayne, this is sort of a "no brainer" to most of us, but for some reason, it gives some people need to pause.  One of the easiest and absolutely fool proof methods I've found is:

1) Set the mount/manikin on a piece of cardboard.  Trace the edge of the manikin off and on the side with the trace marks, write in bold letters "FRONT SIDE". 

2) Cut out the cardboard and spray one side with low tack glue.   Put the cardboard on the manikin with the "FRONT SIDE" against the manikin. Mark the top dead center of the form on the edge of the cardboard.  Insure the top dead center mark is visible on both sides of the cardboard.

3) With an awl (nail, punch, whatever) find the solid back panel underneath the cardboard and mark the 3/4/5 screw positions.  With your drill, drill undersized holes through the cardboard. 

4) Remove the cardboard and lay it out, FRONT SIDE up.  Measure the width and length at their widest points as Wayne describes.  Order a panel at LEAST 3 inches wider/longer than these measurements (that will give you 1.5 inches of border, but if you have an engraved plaque, they need to be longer obviously).

5) With your panel lying face up, put the cardboard on the panel with the FRONT SIDE up.  Center this cardboard  so that the sides/bottom/top are equidistance and with the top dead center mark at the top of the panel .  Drill through the drill holes and remove the cardboard.  Redrill with a slightly oversized bit, countersink the back of the panel to cover the tapered screw head.

6) When your mount is done, install the screws by pushing them through the panel and into the backboard.  Tighten and hang.

[Wayne R]

George,

Thanks for adding to the post. I almost wasn't going to post it, but remember someone a while back had asked about it. I don't get many request for panels, but figured I would take the opportunity for some photos since I had a customer that wanted one. It just goes to show that even with something as a basic as this, there is always more than one way to skin that cat.

[George Roof]

And I apologize for looking as if I was stealing you post.  There's a lot of great info and pictures you posted, but I'm always reminded :  we aren't rocket scientists.  LMAO

[Wayne R]

George, I didn't take it that way at all. The way I see it, the more ideas thrown out on "any" post is only going to give someone more options to choose from.