I have a wet tanned coyote mesures out 34 long. All sit and howl coyotes FORMS seem to measeure lots shorter 29-32. This is a med coyote. so I can only thik that a "sitter" when sitting is shorter, or just bunch skin a little on the form? Trust glue to hold and use pins?
AND.. do I cut the legs off the form and stick in the TUBED skin?
How to fasten the legs again?
What are 3 inch japan pins?
Do I sew up legs and go dorsal then mount? As it is a sitter is sewing harder dorsal vs. tubed?
At what point do I inisert the BONDO in the ears. Bondo only or add filler or glue or?
how long to work the ears and how to get cupped shaped?
I'll be sure to print out the answers in this HOW TO. Very many advanced thanks.
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The tubed skin is no good for what you want to do.If I were doing this,I would split it up the center of the back and sew the front legs.Only sew them down to the small pad on the wrist.Don't sew up the back legs till it's on the form.It will be too hard to slide the tubed back leg skins up the bunched,form legs if they are sewn first.The back legs of the form have to be heavily slotted between the calf and the thigh.The slot needs to be 1/4" to 3/8" wide and extend to within about 2 1/2" behind the knee.You need to remember that case skins tend to come back from the tannery a little long.There might not be as much difference between your skin and the forms you are looking at as you think.Most people add chopped fiberglass to the bondo,some also add polyester resin.You need to do one ear at a time and shape the ear till it sets up.All this is done of course be fore you start mounting.There will be a lot of bunched skin on the belly.You can see that the belly length is shortened in this position,bunching the skin.
On tubed skins that are going to be sitting, i cut the head off of the form into the shoulder area. This will allow you to put the head of the form into the head of the skin, then slide the front feet of the form into the skin of the legs. Bunch the skin up and use screws and gorilla glue to attach the head/shoulder of the form back together. I use tubed cuts on all items that are going to be mounted sitting. The tuck grooves that Jim gave are also the ones that i follow.
I bondo ears right before i slip the head of the form into the skin. Slip the skin over the head and hold them in the position you are looking for before the stuff sets up. I use fiberglass bondo mixed with resin to thin it down. Then take the form out of the head and do eyes, glueing, etc.. before putting it back in to do the actual mounting.
Typically when you have a pose you would like to use that the hide does not seem to fit, you would need to adjust the form to fit the skin. However, i notice that this is in the beginners section-so i would reccomend getting the closest fitting form and tuck, pin and glue (your first time). Pay attention to what areas do not seem to fit perfectly, and examine the form to see what you could do to make it a better fit. Check the archives here, and check for available videos on how to alter a form. Do your homework and tackle the altering on your next mount.
Just my 2 cents,
Sheila Brandon
Brandon Wildlife Studio
I'm getting a better picture here, except for a couple items.
Thank you for the replys. Questions still remain. (Slot and ears.)
quote,"The slot between the calf and the thigh?" I have no form to look at. Do I "enhance" the slot that is there or "dig in" big time to make the slot work right?
About the forms, all standing coyotes<med>FORMS measure in the 33 1/2 - 35 1/2 inch. Mine is 34.
Why are sit downs the smallest measure of FORMS (29)even with a big 4 in eye to nose, Mine is 3 5/8?
quote," Bondo the ears, then remove the head and install eyes"?
So, I am asking to know, the BONDO doesn't stick to the head form? Or, the head and the Bondo DO stick together but don't stick to the ears? ears easily slip out ?
Is ear paste necessay?
Sorry to have such beginner trials. I can hardley wait to get the mount going.,(must first decide the size to order a form)
Then get Marine fibergalss bondo? extra resin to thin?
Thank you for the time and knowledge to reply.
Oh, what about the tail? Insert wire and cotton wrap,and sew up?
AND...can you tell me how much 'tooth' is shown in a howl or reference source to mouth shape. This is so fun! Learn while you go.
Thank you for sharing how to experience.
No sense in taking up forum space..LOL..gimmie an e-mail or a call and i can help. E-mail anytime, call between 9-11 am CST.
Thanks,
Sheila
Brandon Wildlife Studio
580-873-9440