Make your own custom tree limb

[Paul K]

Well, George 3 days aint bad if your getting paid good to do it, I figure I'm probably slower than most but probably more expensive than most. I'd sure be interested in that Deleware get together

[gab]

George,
 Thank you for sharing.That's one of the best tips I've seen in a while.

[JonHarleTX]

wow George, You really do work!  Nice job!

Jon~

[sarahdj]

Looks great- thanks for the info!

[ed150]

thanks for sharing,great job

[tazzymoto]

Very interesting George, I've learned something today
thank you

[2wbdft]

i know its an "oldie but a goodie"....

just wanted to say thanks to George, i recently used this technique to build "the Perfect limb" and it turned out great!

[Southland Taxidermy]

what was the flat white paint? or primer? what did you use to stain it with? and why do you put you freezers on casters?

[George Roof]

I thought I said the paint was flat white latex/acrylic interior house paint.  It's stained with Minwax Dark Walnut stain.

The freezers are on casters so that when I decide to clean the shop, I can unplug them, move them away from the wallls, vacuum, and then hose the floor down before moving them back into position.  I figure I'm like most others and use the freezer tops as additional shelf and work bench space.  I'm constantly "losing" things behind the freezer. Try getting back there to retrieve them when you're dealing with  two 21 cu. ft. freezers.

[shammy]

Thanks George for the info. Now I know how to do it if I get the opportunity someday.   shammy

[ManHunterUSMC]

Hey George, I haven't been on here long, but I sure have seen you on just about ever post i read through! You are a big inspiration
to all of us beginners and I'm sure plenty of pros see as a big help too.

I saw a few holes drilled into the tree mostly around the point where the limbs come out. Are these hose for the foam to set into? or are they just black marks with a Sharpie to mark where you need to put your limbs. Thanks, I hope I don't sound too much like a new guy.

Christian

[George Roof]

The black spots around the PVC "limbs" are actually the heads of drywall screws holding the PVC in the position I wanted them.  As there were no "joints" that would allow for slanted limbs, I drilled oversized holes in the main "limb", inserted the smaller OD PVC into the hole, moved it to a position I liked and then held it with screws.  Afterwards, I primed the gaps (purple rings) and filled them with joint cement.  The only holes in the limbs ended up being the ones were the anchor bolts secured the leopard to the limb.  

Just to follow on, the leopard is not "bolted" to the limb.  I made the holes close tolerant and a bit farther apart than necessary.  Since the limb had to be mounted to the roof about 15 feet in the air, that was precarious enough for me.  After installing the limb, I balanced the mounted leopard and set it in the predrilled holes.  The extra space between the holes allowed the mount to be "spring loaded" and it locked itself in snugly.  Setting nearly 18 feet off the floor, I didn't figure anyone would be messing with it to dislodge it easily.

Here is what the final piece looked like in the clients game room with him and his wife looking out over the gameroom.

[ManHunterUSMC]

That's Amazing! I can't wait to make this a full time adventure once I get out of the Marine Corps!