1. When tumbling a bird, do you use hardwood sawdust or corn cob grit? Why?
2. Squirrels often look like drowned rats because the tail is not big and fluffy. What do you do to make your squirrel's tail look plump and alive?
3. When you are mounting a deer's ears with earliners and epoxy, why is it not a wise move to wash the skin side of the ear with lacquer thinner, acetone, xylene or MEK?
4. You are skinning out your bear for a standing mount. Do you make a dorsal or a ventral incision and why?
5. When painting a bird's feet and legs, many paint schedules refer to a "wash coat). What is a wash coat and how is it done?
6. A carry over from earlier times was to paint a paper manikin with red shellac. What purpose did it serve and why is it considered unnecessary on today's manikins?
7. How many screws do you use to secure the antler/horn plate to your manikin and why do you use that number?
8. Conventional wisdom dictates that you do not use the real teeth in an animal you mount. Why is this?
9. What do you use to cut the lip slot and does your slot go up towards the nose bridge, down or straight in? Why?
10. BONUS: When doing rug work, how do you secure the felt backing on to the hide itself? Why do you use this method?
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If only this wasn't in the beginners category.
1. When tumbling a bird, do you use hardwood sawdust or corn cob grit? Why?
Hardwood sawdust, because that is what I have on hand.
2. Squirrels often look like drowned rats because the tail is not big and fluffy. What do you do to make your squirrel's tail look plump and alive?
Back brush it. I cut the tail off and mount it separate.
3. When you are mounting a deer's ears with earliners and epoxy, why is it not a wise move to wash the skin side of the ear with lacquer thinner, acetone, xylene or MEK?
I don't wash the ears before installing earliners, but I figure it would start to melt the earliners.
4. You are skinning out your bear for a standing mount. Do you make a dorsal or a ventral incision and why?
Dorsal, Just because I like the way it comes together. Most likely the bear's back is not seen too well so it is well hidden.
5. When painting a bird's feet and legs, many paint schedules refer to a "wash coat). What is a wash coat and how is it done?
A wash coat is a solid base color that blends all the other colors together.
6. A carry over from earlier times was to paint a paper manikin with red shellac. What purpose did it serve and why is it considered unnecessary on today's manikins?
It created a water tight skin on the form. Today's forms are already water tight.
7. How many screws do you use to secure the antler/horn plate to your manikin and why do you use that number?
I use four 4) grabber screws. I don't know why but it locks the horns down good.
8. Conventional wisdom dictates that you do not use the real teeth in an animal you mount. Why is this?
Because the fake ones are easer to work with and they don't rot or fade. I do use real ones when possible.
9. What do you use to cut the lip slot and does your slot go up towards the nose bridge, down or straight in? Why?
Jig saw blade, towards the nose bridge. It seems to hold the lip better, also it hides pins that I leave in the lip better.
10. BONUS: When doing rug work, how do you secure the felt backing on to the hide itself? Why do you use this method?
I sew it using a whip stitch. I use this because it holds the pad and backing better than any glue and it creates a higher quality mount!
That was fun again!
1. When tumbling a bird, do you use hardwood sawdust or corn cob grit? Why?
I don't do birds, but I have heard the oils in corn cob grit help make the birds shinier.
2. Squirrels often look like drowned rats because the tail is not big and fluffy. What do you do to make your squirrel's tail look plump and alive?
I haven't done a squirrel, but I have read the best way is to remove the tail, tan or DP the tail, then insert the tail mannikan. On the grey fox I did this way, I stapled the wire of the tail mannikan to the side of the table, leaving the tail straight up in the air. I back brushed and blew it dry with cool air. It worked great.
3. When you are mounting a deer's ears with earliners and epoxy, why is it not a wise move to wash the skin side of the ear with lacquer thinner, acetone, xylene or MEK?
The lacquer thinner will keep the epoxy from sticking.
4. You are skinning out your bear for a standing mount. Do you make a dorsal or a ventral incision and why?
We don't have bears here.
5. When painting a bird's feet and legs, many paint schedules refer to a "wash coat). What is a wash coat and how is it done?
6. A carry over from earlier times was to paint a paper manikin with red shellac. What purpose did it serve and why is it considered unnecessary on today's manikins?
This was probably to prevent mold from growing in the mannikan.
7. How many screws do you use to secure the antler/horn plate to your manikin and why do you use that number?
Three, two doesn't cut it, I've tried. Four seems like overkill to me, but I would probably do more on anything larger than a white tail.
8. Conventional wisdom dictates that you do not use the real teeth in an animal you mount. Why is this?
I have heard they will rot.
9. What do you use to cut the lip slot and does your slot go up towards the nose bridge, down or straight in? Why?
I cut up. It works. I tried straight in, and my lips pulled. Though I don't know should matter.
10. BONUS: When doing rug work, how do you secure the felt backing on to the hide itself? Why do you use this method?
Good stuff!
1. When tumbling a bird, do you use hardwood sawdust or corn cob grit? Why?
I prefer corn cob grit...it doesn't get trapped in the down like sawdust can.
2. Squirrels often look like drowned rats because the tail is not big and fluffy. What do you do to make your squirrel's tail look plump and alive?
I usually skin and mount the tail fresh. I also noticed that if you pull it too tight down the wire and and done work it back up the hair of the tail doesn't stick out at 90 degrees and looks less full. (I hope that makes sense!lol)
3. When you are mounting a deer's ears with earliners and epoxy, why is it not a wise move to wash the skin side of the ear with lacquer thinner, acetone, xylene or MEK?
I suppose the solvents could potentially break down the epoxy. If you wet out the ear with solvents, I would expect that is exactly what would happen.
4. You are skinning out your bear for a standing mount. Do you make a dorsal or a ventral incision and why?
On a standing bear its easier to conceal a dorsal cut (IMHO)...but Im not real picky about it.
5. When painting a bird's feet and legs, many paint schedules refer to a "wash coat). What is a wash coat and how is it done?
I consider a wash coat one where you are using a contrasting pigment to highlight the scale detail of the birds feet. This can be way overdone but is pretty easy to done done but pulled off correctly gives a lot of live to a birds feet.
6. A carry over from earlier times was to paint a paper manikin with red shellac. What purpose did it serve and why is it considered unnecessary on today's manikins?
Not sure about that one...I suppose it gave the form a solid non-porous surface. Good one.
7. How many screws do you use to secure the antler/horn plate to your manikin and why do you use that number?
I use 3...two in the front and one center rear. Its seems pretty secure that way to me. Ive always done it that way.
8. Conventional wisdom dictates that you do not use the real teeth in an animal you mount. Why is this?
In some cases I do...ie Beaver and when a customer requests, I use the natural tusks and whetters in a hog...but natural teeth can crack and will deteriorate and they also lose their translucency.
9. What do you use to cut the lip slot and does your slot go up towards the nose bridge, down or straight in? Why?
I cut and teach a tight upward and inward wedge with a very thin knife or blade. The opening of the wedge is very small and the slot gets tighter as it goes back. I don't go straight in because driving a slot too deep from each side can result in the bottom popping loose if your not careful.
10. BONUS: When doing rug work, how do you secure the felt backing on to the hide itself? Why do you use this method?
Im going to come clean here...I don't do my own rugs...I don't even like doing rugs...but when I did, I secured the tanned hide initially with contact cement. I did it because someone recommended it, I tried it and it worked. And then I farmed out all my rug work!
I like these, as some have more then one answer, a matter of opinion, like Rick Kranes fish questionaire. Here goes...
1) cob grit, it shines them better and doesnt hang up in the down.
2) after inserting tail wire, add frozen clay, or caulk, as a filler
to seat the hair roots.
3) the solvents leave behind their own residue, it acts as a seperater.
4) dorsal doesnt show, but ventral is easier for the legs. Id go with dorsal to hide the obvious seams.
5) wash coat is what colors the between scale areas, while the applied coat colors the scale itself
6) it sealed the paper for the glue to grip, without softening the paper surface
7) three or four...I use three, as the back screw adjusts the front two
8) real teeth crack and/or yellow, and shrink away from the filler used for gums/lips
9) I use the lip slot tool, very fine, and going up, so the lip appears to overlap, as in life
10) always sewn in stitches for longevity. Hot melt glue can dry out or seperate, and isnt as flexible
1. I quit tumbling, I now blow dry them with a shop vac. I just like the results better.
2.I don't freeze it, I cut the tail off and mount it right away. And lot's of back brushing.
3.Solvents leave a residue and cause drumming.
4. I've never mounted one, but would probably use a dorsal cut to hide the seam.
5. Thin layer of paint that is wiped off but remains in the cracks.
6. ? I have no clue
7. usually 3, don't know why, just always have
8. real ones may crack over time
9. I use the flat end of a regulator needle and cut it upward toward the nose. That's the way I learned.
10. I have someone else do my rugging, they sew it.
1. When tumbling a bird, do you use hardwood sawdust or corn cob grit? Why? I've never tumble dried a bird; the few I've done were dried with a hair drier on medium.
2. Squirrels often look like drowned rats because the tail is not big and fluffy. What do you do to make your squirrel's tail look plump and alive? Have not done a squirrel but I like the idea of cutting it off and attaching it after back brushing
3. When you are mounting a deer's ears with earliners and epoxy, why is it not a wise move to wash the skin side of the ear with lacquer thinner, acetone, xylene or MEK? I think it reacts with the epoxy; I know too much thinner melts the earliners!
4. You are skinning out your bear for a standing mount. Do you make a dorsal or a ventral incision and why? Dorsal; it is easier to hide the stitching (for me!)
5. When painting a bird's feet and legs, many paint schedules refer to a "wash coat). What is a wash coat and how is it done? A wash coat is the base color over which other colors are applied.
6. A carry over from earlier times was to paint a paper manikin with red shellac. What purpose did it serve and why is it considered unnecessary on today's manikins? Moisture barrier?
7. How many screws do you use to secure the antler/horn plate to your manikin and why do you use that number? I use two at the front and one behind; this seems solid to me.
8. Conventional wisdom dictates that you do not use the real teeth in an animal you mount. Why is this? Real teeth eventually will crack.
9. What do you use to cut the lip slot and does your slot go up towards the nose bridge, down or straight in? Why?I used to use a 1/8 inch drill bit but found that to be too wide causing more shrinkage; I now use a paring knife and cut it as narrow as possible. I angle it towards the top of the nose.
10. BONUS: When doing rug work, how do you secure the felt backing on to the hide itself? Why do you use this method? My first year I did two and hot glued them into place; my customers were happy but I was not. I send them out to be professionally sewed and felted.
Questions I did not answer have been omitted.
> ears with earliners and epoxy, why is it not a wise move to wash the skin side of the ear with lacquer thinner, acetone, xylene or MEK?
It removes excess tanning oil and allows for a better bond between the skin and the liner.
4. You are skinning out your bear for a standing mount. Do you make a dorsal or a ventral incision and why?
Case skinned, put the carcass up on a winch and pull the hide off. It takes a lot of the work out. :) These are called 'skinning rigs' in the trapping community.
5. What is a wash coat and how is it done?
Wash coats are very thin and they are also used in flat art. You dilute the color to the thinness you want with the solvent of your choice depending on the paint you are using, and then apply the paint.
6. paint a paper manikin with red shellac. What purpose did it serve and why is it considered unnecessary on today's manikins?
It seals the paper and keeps it from absorbing all the hide paste. In the past the paste was water-based dextrine, so it would get messed up without a shelacqued form. Current forms are made out of foam and are already waterproof. They should be scratched to prime them instead.
8. Conventional wisdom dictates that you do not use the real teeth in an animal you mount. Why is this?
They crack over time because the water in the tooth is lost over time. Acrylic sealing of the teeth under high pressure, similar to how semi-precious gems are sealed, can stop this. It is commonly used for very high-end "natural jewelery".
9. What do you use to cut the lip slot and does your slot go up towards the nose bridge, down or straight in? Why?
A knife, usually. I try to angle the upper lip upwards and the lower lip straight, so it usually goes under the upper lip line a little. Makes the upper lip look more natural.
10. When doing rug work, how do you secure the felt backing on to the hide itself? Why do you use this method?
Felt?! Yuck. The inner backing is secured with a hand stitch, the middle padding is secured with a long hand stitch, the outer backing material is machine sewn to the skin. No glue. This is the best quality and longest lasting method to use.
1) neither, I would use mineral spirits and then blow them out with reversed air from a vacum cleaner.
2) clay and wire then back brush
3) I wash mine and then use Epo-Grip
4) depends on the pose and how I am feeling about sewing at the time
5) thinned down paint that gets in the crevices and blends things together
6) ask George he was alive then (sorry Geo)
7) three
8) They crack
9) I use a lip slot tool I made from modified hacksaw blade and go at a 45 degree angle. New Foam sucks
10) I have mine done and insist on sewing
DaveT