Mounting that elk shed set

[idbatman]

Well I finally got to that shed set. I hope this helps someone. This is time consuming endeavor and I haven’t found a way around it, but this is the simplest way I have found.  To set it up I brace the sheds in the position I want, it’s just a matter of trial and error. Keep in mind the G4’s are usually vertical, work to your inside spread (this one is at 44”) and make the burls fit your pedestals. I use wood bracing and wire all screwed tight to the bench to hold it in place.

[idbatman]

This is a cast I made off of a 350 bull and you can see it is a little small for this set but I will make it work on most sets. It’s made of Bondo – resin mix and lots of fiberglass chop. You can use the commercial cast just fill the with the mix. Try to center it on your burls (this guy was a little larger so I set it up to be wider). I draw some reference marks to help keep the drilling straight and in the beam and I drill it just like I did in the removable antler post. I just hold it in place and get to drilling, just keep the bits as parallel as possible. I leave the first bit in to use as a guide  for the second one.            

[idbatman]

I put the pins in to hold it in place as I finish the holes.

[idbatman]

Now attach the pedestals to the form, set it up just like any other rack( level , centered and not past the back of the form) and bondo it down. I set it up then remove the sheds so it is easier to work. If you get carried away with the Bondo you may have to clean out the holes. I then position the rack with a  pedestal fairly vertical so I can work all sides . On a heavy set like these I wrap a couple of strands of 14 ga wire around the pedestal for added support and I build it up with a resin –bondo- fiberglass chop mix. Just do a little at a time and build it out to where the skin should fit the burl. Shave it smooth as it starts to set up.  I like to let the bondo mix set up over night and mount as usual.    

[idbatman]

IF YOU HAVE A WOBBLE OR NEED TO MOVE AN ANTLER A LITTLE. Simply ream the hole a little to move it where you want it. Then pour  a little hot resin mix in the hole and put the antler back on . Brace it or hold it until the mix starts to set then remove the antler (you may have to clean the hole a little again).  When it’s hard, see if it worked. You can repeat this as you need. This works for me. I have a lot of heads out with 30 pounds of antler on them and they are still holding up. If you have a way to improve it or a direct question please feel free to email me. Thanks and try to have fun with it.

[idbatman]

this is the 3rd time to mount this bull.

[ed150]

very nice

[Lisa M]

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this up id.  I brought it to the Mods attention for the Tutorial Category.    Thanks again.