Wally, I should clarify that I DO use hide paste on ears to prevent drumming, but not on the actual head. I do my own tanning and as the hide dries it is as tight as a drum on the form. Shows all detail and no way will it move. And while it's wet it slides very easily on the form for adjusting. And Doug, rather than call anyone ignorant maybe you should consider that there are different ways to do things. I do what has worked for me for many years. I don't criticize others for doing what works for them. You sound like one of those people who feels "if you don't do it my way you're an idiot."
Return to Beginners Category Menu
How do you prevent drumming in areas like the brisket, neck juncture or any other area there is an undercut or indent? I'm not criticizing just asking.
I'm not sure how to explain it. As I said, I do my own tanning and the hide goes on the form dripping wet. As it dries it shrinks and conforms to my forms perfectly. I have tried paste in the past and in my opinion the only thing it adds is a gooey mess to clean up. Again, just my opinion and experience. Not telling anyone else what to do.
You have no idea of the incredible pressures a hide undergoes as it turns from wet tan into dry leather. Only with the help of a good glue will it NOT drum. Around the eyes, muzzle and jaw lines, if there's no glue, I'll bet the farm that there's drumming. Take a Phillips head screwdriver and hold it loosely by the handle. Use it like a drumstick on the mount. When you hit a drummed area (and you WILL), the sound will change noticeable from where the hide fits tightly against the mannikin.
There are a few tenets in taxidermy that are unimpeachable and inarguable, and hide paste is one of them. Because you can't see it, doesn't mean it's not the fact. As you said, Ihave no doubt your hide "fits like a drum" Any irregularities to the contours in the form will drum. And you're right, you're entitled to do your work any way you want to, but then don't be offended when some of us try to inform you that the methods you're using aren't those accepted as the industy "standard".
get drumming is if you put a brad in about every half inch? If thats what you are doing then maybe you aren't getting any drumming. Take a piece to the show and let the judges critique it for you and I gurantee they find drumming. It's not what works for you, it's what has been proven to work and what hasn't. Good luckl on your drumming free find. Dan
I never called anyone ignorant. As George said, there are some things in life that you just don't go against. Hide paste is one of those things in this business.
I know when someone tells me the best way to do something and I think I know better, it's not too long before I realize the best way is the best way. Is it the only way? No. But it is the best way. Why make such a fuss about something this trivial?
You keep on mounting without glue. I will stick with what works the best.
I think we have beaten this to death now. All I can say is that I have a number of my own deer mounts from years ago. They all still show great detail and there is no obvious sign of drumming. And I've never had a customer complaint about this. I'll agree that if you looked hard you probably could find some drumming if you really wanted to. But for commercial work for the average customer, I don't feel paste is needed. Competition work may be another story. But since this topic is "unimpeachable and inarguable", I'll stop arguing.
And neither should you. I don't give my customers anything I wouldn't be proud to have in my own game room. I charge a premium price for my work, they pay for it, and I don't cheat them out of their money. Best of all, they keep coming back.
i'll have to admit im with greg on this one
I was the Doug who posted the "Some good advice" reply that included the word "ignorant." I knew it might generate some bristling of the hairs, so I included "no offense." Ignorance is not an insult. It simply means one lacks some knowledge. Everyone is ignorant on many topics...eh?
Anyway, there is another Doug(above)and we both think alike. He must be a genius(LMAO). I would have responded just as he did. I sure do know there is often more than one way to turn out a high quality mount, but skipping the hide paste is just too fundamental to be one of them.
I have a bunch of average customers, about 150 a year and I use hide paste on all of their mounts.What is more important to you repeat customers, or a pretty good competition piece? Competitions Suck in my opinion. I am glad that I am busy enough that I can't find time to participate in them. I could give a rats A$$ about a bunch of ribbons and the right to brag on such a great competition piece. I am not knocking you that do the competition thingy but I can't see it. What a waste !
Oh yeah and how many repeat customers did you say that you get back ? You and squeeky should merge, would be a great team.
Just want to know why drumming is not acceptable.If it looks perfect, why the issue with drumming.
I have mounts 5 years old and yes there is some drumming but the mounts is still in perfect condition and still looks great.?