I just about to finish my second deer mount its been two weeks of drying time and for some reason the tear ducts came completely out.
I put hide nails in both corners and they pulled out. on one side the nail pulled through the hide and now I have a hole...Any suggestions on what to do to fix them?
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You have to make sure your shave those tear-ducts paper thin. That alone will stop most of the shrikage. I also like to put a roll of clay just above the duct, then after I tuck, push that clay down to keep the tear duct nice and tight. I'll also stick a pin down in there (and usually leave it, just because it can't be seen). Even then, you still have to baby-sit them a little over the first few days of drying. Oh, and don't forget about a good hidepaste and tan.
Take a dremel tool and a real small diameter bit and cut a quarter inch deep slot from the beginning of the eye to the end of the tear duct. Put a roll of apoxie sculpt in the slot. And then use a T pin and sink the duct all the way in. This will never come out again. I make sure that when I am cutting the slot I keep with the natural curve of the form. If I want to get real picky I use a photo of the actual deer and recreate the ělumpî as I like to call it exactly. Just be sure you do not sink the duct too deep or you will end up with an eye that looks Chinese.
God Bless
If you keep the hide thin. I mean the whole cape, especially the face nose lips eye lid tear ducts. They need to be shaved very thin. Then cut the tear duct slot as thin as a knife blade. The same goes with the lip slot. The lip slot doesn't need to be very wide. Hide paste is put on and a small roll of clay can be used to soften the edge. Skin is tucked. The skin is worked in slowly so you don't punch through. The tear duct and lips are a tight pressed fit. No pins are needed if hide is shaved properly and hide paste is used, and form roughed up properly. Make sure hide is not doubled over or bunched when skin is tucked. I've been watching the posts and guessing that many of the people are doing the same thing and not shaving the cape properly. Don't be afraid to get it thinned down. Get the tissue off the lips and make sure they are split open all the way. It tanned properly, the thinner the cape the less thickness there is to dry down. That means less movement. You guys are using pins and nails where you don't need them. This goes for to the eyelids also.Make sure they are spilt open all the way. Shave those tiny fatty glands out. The lid should be flat with only the dark specks of the roots of the eye lashes visable on the inside. Follow this and you won't believe how much nicer your mounts will look. Don't take short cuts. do it right the first time and it will save you time in the long run with nicer results.
Yo! I AM doing it right the first time! I do use pins-just a few- to guard against these problems. We do a green tan with DP, pin, and VOILA! Turns out perfect everytime. -Susan
If you can't see the pin, and can't feel the pin, why does it matter if it's there? We all have different ways of doing things, and by all means, share your way. But you don't have to come on here and knock everybody else, just to show how "smart" you are. I've seen several master taxidermist use a pin in the tear duct. Especially with elk and such.
If your tear ducts even show you are doing some messed up work. As they are supposed to be on the INSIDE front corner of the eye lid. And should not even be visible on a mounted deer under most circumstances.
Do you know what a tear duct is? If there isn't a visible tear duct, you're the one doing messed up work. A tear duct is the canal that runs from the front of the eye, downward. It is in no way connected to the eyelid.
Dean,s answer to Jim's question was accurate and to the point. Thinned face, good paste and proper alignment of skin to form makes for problem free mounts. As for not seeing tear ducts, better check your reference. Not only can they be seen, some are open at times on deer.
Thanks Paul. You are right tear ducts can be open or closed at any time.I see it all the time on my deer. It doesn't matter on what kind of mood the deer are in. When doing a mount it's just easier and quicker to keep them closed. If they are open it's just that much more time spent during finish work and keeping them tucked. In competition it's just one more thing for a judge to nail you on. Dan S. CHILL OUT Why are you so defensive. If your way is right for you and it works for you keep it up. I guess all the taxidermy manuals,videos and taxidermy seminars are wrong, and the tanneries are wasting time making the hides nice and thin- I've use a pin or two now and then. They shouldn't be needed all the time to hold the skin in place if things are done correctly. I'm just trying to help out and show those interested in how much easier a properly shaved hide is to work with. Sometimes it helps to listen to view of others. It has taken me along way. I don't it all. I'm still learning and always will.I recieved help over the years, I just try to pass on what I've learned. It's a way to pay back and thank those that helped me along the way over the years. Listening to tips from others goes a long way with an open mind. I'll bet Yox,Meder,Coombs etc. and most taxidermists on here will tell you the same thing. Good luck Dan
The biggest problem with the written word is people don't know the tone. I took your post as being very condesending. I said in my post to thin the hide. Read it for yourself. You were the one saying everybody else is wrong for not doing it your way. I spend a lot of time thinning my hides, I use a good hidepaste. Things in the desert where I live, dry very, very quickly, and I feel the extra insurance of a pin in the tear duct hurts absolutely nothing, and doesn't make me less of a taxidermist. I cannot argue with any of the advise you gave, it's all good. I will say though, that I was at a few seminars this weekend, and guess what? They all put a pin in the tear duct. Have fun, Dean.
What is commonly called the "tear duct" is actually the PREORBITAL GLAND. Brian's description of the "tear duct" is correct. If you have the book White-tailed Deer Ecology and Management, edited by Lowell K. Halls, you can check it out.
This game is stupid. I'm taking my ball and going home (smile)
Dan S: in response to your question. Yes, I know exactly what a tear duct it. It is the duct, Or Opening through which the tears produced by the tear gland are exuded into the eye. The crease in front of the eye that is Visible is the lacrimal crease in which is contained the pre-orbital gland. Although it may not be absolutely necessary for a taxidermist to have a complete knowledge of anatomy, and its workings. a basic knowledge is essential. When conveying information about specific anatomy, it is helpful to refer to things by their proper name. This clarifies things so all know specifics. If you attend a show. and the critique says try to make your tear ducts realistic. When refering to the lacrimal crease. Assuming you know the difference between the tear duct, and the lacrimal crease. you may spend weeks trying to perfect tear ducts. Only to be hit with the same thing later. because the critique was referring to the wrong thing. I need not ask if you know what a tear duct is. Because you have made it apparent that you do not. Now, in the future Before you try to make someone else look foolish. be sure you know what you are talking about.