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Taxidermy.Net Forum  |  Taxidermy Discussion Categories  |  Fish Taxidermy  |  Topic: Artificial Fins? « previous next »
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Author Topic: Artificial Fins?  (Read 531 times)
sdrenth
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« on: January 25, 2012, 11:21:47 AM »
I am about to start my first competition mount (a pair of bluegills) and I have had problems before with fin shrinkage. So on this mount I am wondering if I would get better results if I replaced the fins with artificial fins? What do you guys prefer? And who sells the most realistic fins?

Thanks

Steve
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Steve Drenth
kazo
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« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2012, 01:38:05 PM »
Mold and cast them yourself. Huh
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Im borned to fish but they force me to work!
fishfighter702
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« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2012, 03:11:47 PM »
^^ x2... lake country has some pretty good artificial fins
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Rogerst
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« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2012, 06:05:42 PM »
Don't let your first fin casting project be competition fins. Practice first. Buy some for this years show and learn from them. See you at the michigan show?
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“You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.”
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Perca
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« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2012, 06:18:47 PM »
Can commercial fake fins be used on competition mounts? I thought they had to be molded and cast by the competitor.
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Fish often, leave the barbs on, keep some to eat or mount, and apologize to no one.
Pescado
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« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2012, 06:22:49 PM »
That would most likely be the case for the masters division
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Paul Borkowski
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Rogerst
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« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2012, 07:24:25 PM »
Quote from: Perca on January 25, 2012, 06:18:47 PM
Can commercial fake fins be used on competition mounts? I thought they had to be molded and cast by the competitor.

Yeah, sorry.  Pro division.  I am not at the masters level yet. Someday
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“You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.”
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Jimmy Lawrence
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« Reply #7 on: January 25, 2012, 07:53:35 PM »
Glad to see you taking my advice.  With your EXTREME level of talent, you should be able to start casting parts without a problem.

Go for it. 

Jimmy
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Jimmy Lawrence
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GBRUCH
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« Reply #8 on: January 25, 2012, 08:08:45 PM »
I am with Jimmy---go for it.  Competitions are for learning so why not attempt the fins yourself and learn.  I would practice molding and casting 1 or 2 before going to the show fish but it is really easy to mold and cast a fish fin.
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"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord,not for men" ......Colossians 3:23 
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Gary Bruch
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Clew
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« Reply #9 on: January 25, 2012, 09:15:04 PM »
Hello guys

I have done a few cast, using fiberglass and bond mix
What do you use to make a decent fin that can be shaped later with heat
The ones I make with fiberglass look like crap?
Carl
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sdrenth
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« Reply #10 on: January 25, 2012, 10:36:42 PM »
Thanks guys! Yes jimmy I did take ur advice and I am going to start casting fins soon! With this mount however, with some advice from Perca I have decided to use the original fins because there should not be much shrinkage with a bluegill and the fins are in nice shape.

Thanks again for all the replies,

Steve
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Steve Drenth
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« Reply #11 on: January 26, 2012, 05:38:32 AM »
Carl I would use a urethane.   there are several to choose from--I personally use smooth cast 325
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"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord,not for men" ......Colossians 3:23 
God has greatly enriched our lives with beauty. And we in turn express our gratitude by displaying his glory in our art. -- Julia Ackerman link

Gary Bruch
www.bruchsfish.com
Clew
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« Reply #12 on: January 26, 2012, 05:54:47 AM »
Thanks will give it a try
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JE
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« Reply #13 on: January 26, 2012, 08:03:57 AM »
Gary, what sort of mold are you casting your 325 into in ? I have been making my fins using bondo two part molds and casting with reinforced resins, but like Carl, I am not happy with the results. But I am thinking the 325's low viscosity will be unsuitablefor my type of molds.
thanks
John
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Triple R
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« Reply #14 on: January 26, 2012, 11:03:47 AM »
What is the best material to use for blending artificial fins back to a skin mounted fish and a reproduction ? Would fin magic be a good choice? I hope no one minds me asking this here. I just didnt want to start another artificial fin thread.
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ROLL TIDE!!!
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