I an new and have what some may consider a dumb question. After measuring your animal, looking for a form that matches your measurements seem low. In this case is it better to get a form that has dimension that are slightly under size and build up OR slightly larger and remove some of the form to match?
Some times I like a particular form and the some dimensions are either to large or to small and end up getting a form I really do not like.
Thanks
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I buy my pants a cretin size and I stick to one brand that fits me. Other brands that I try, are the same size on the tag, but seam tight or baggy. The same goes with manikins. One company that you order a form from, maybe a 7 x 19, and when you measure it, it is really a 19 1/2. Most all capes need to be stretched back to the original size. Some are a bugger, and some if thinned well will go on like butter. I tend to want to buy a form smaller than the cape in the neck so the white patch does not get over stretched. It is good that we have so many form companies to choose from, and sometimes it is like you said, you have to shop around to get a form to fit the cape you have. Reminds me of a butcher I once called and asked for him to save me capes. He offered me all the doe capes I wanted and that I could just add the antlers to them. I asked him if he wore his wives pants and how did they fit? Another thing nobody thinks about, a 1-inch drill bit will not fit in a 1-inch hole. The hole has to be bigger than the bit, not by much, for it to accept the drill. Did you ever drill a hole in metal the same size of the bolt you want to use? You matched the bit up with the bolt and you still had to ream the hole out. I think the same goes for forms and capes and that is why I like a smaller neck size than the cape measurement. I hate over stretching, even if the cape is very stretchy.
I always buy a little smaller. The skin will shrink to fit. Not alot smaller but a little. Even as much as an inch to an inch and a half, in some cases. Birds will look better on a smaller form, fluff easier. I always go smaller. But it's my 2 cents.
That going a 1/2" to 1" smaller is better than stretching the hide,
Check all the suppliers catalogs/websites you can usually find something you like with close enough measurments to mount up fine. If the pose your wanting isn't available you can alter the form to fit.
When I have a customer come in bragging about what a huge neck his deer has, I'll usually bump up the neck size a little and stretch. If the cape is properly thinned, you should get it to stretch easily.
I try to get a form that is as close as possible to the actual body of the dead specimen. It is imperative to get some good measurements of the carcass and head size and record them for any alterations. With the foam forms it is easy to alter and adjust your measurements. It helps to have a good bandsaw for cutting forms apart and some different shaped rasps for remodeling contours.
I would rather build up in body size than deduct it but it is possible to do it either way. When "building down" the feet and legs are difficult to rasp to size so it is important to take this into account, especially on smaller forms. Like mentioned earlier, it is easier to have a form a little smaller then one that is too big.
Once you get set to pour the foam be careful as using too much will pop the form apart. That's a mess! I like to mix the foam until it begins to turn a darker color and then pour as you have more control at this stage and it won't go leaking out all over the floor or benchtop as easily. You will get the feel to how much you need after a few pours. It sometimes helps to do several pours instead of trying to do it all at once. The foam sets up fairly quickly and you can really move along at a good clip once you know where the alteratons need to be made.
Altering forms is a good thing to learn in this trade as every animal is different and there are limited numbers and poses of forms available.