I have mounted six ducks and managed to tear everyone of them at the end of the incision (usually both ends). This happens while I'm putting the skin onto the form. The DP seems to really shrink the skin. Am I working too slow? too rough? incision not long enough to begin with? The only good thing is I'm getting a lot of practice sewing. HA HA. thanks for your time and suggestions
PS: I checked the search button and could not find much there.
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Todd, I to have had this problem what i have come up with is i put a couple staples in top of cut and at the end of cut toward the vent. This has helped me a whole lot on my tearing.Too make sure that your bodies are a little smaller than than the original one. Hope this may help. ED
Todd, is your skin shrinking or just drying out from the DP? If you are trying to sew a dried out bird skin you will ALWAYS have problems. Wet a paper towel and sponge the skin continuously as you work. A dry skin is definitely NOT a happy skin!
As far as your incision is concerned make sure it is centered on the breast bone. There is a natural seam there and if you follow it closely while making your incision you won't tear the skin. Also, continue your cut down through the FIRST RING OF TISSUE on the vent leaving the "back half" of the vent uncut.
Tearing will happen occasionally but shouldn't happen all the time.
Good luck and "keep it wet"!
Sorry, couldn't resist.
Thanks, for your suggestion Ed. I'll try that this weekend. This site is invaluable to the newby.
Thanks for the response Paul. The skins do not seem too dry I mean they are still limber. They just seem to shrink to the point that I have to put stress on them to get them over the form and insert the wires. Todd