I have been using Apoxie sculpt for setting the head of a pheasant. I say "have been using" because I am on about my third try. I can't get the head to stay put. It seems to be set up, but then when I wet the feathers to sew up the head incision, the head flops!Aaaaaargh! Would I have this problem if I used Bondo? Thanx.
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The head of a pheasant should be skewered with a wire running throught the neck. Some use a straight wire and leave it exposed until it dries, but I prefer to bend it in a "U" and pull it down into the skull, pull the wire neck down into the foam form, and then cinch the neck wire through the breast of the form. I use Critter Clay or potters clay to clean up the juncture and I sew the head WITHOUT WETTING FEATHERS.
I forgot to mention that I bent a U shape at the end of the wire, and the foam neck is glued snug to the body. I put Apoxie in the brain cavity, and then crammed the U end of the wire into the cavity. I wet the feathers before sewing 'cause it's hard for me to pull the thread tight without catching feathers. Please bear with me here George, but what is the juncture, and what does the clay do? I appologize for my foolishness, but I'm pretty new at this. Thanx
I usually just run the wire out through the top of the skull the old fashioned way, but sometimes, for whatever reason, I will need to do one without that convenient little handle. In that case, I take the neck wire and bend it into a tight loop which I then bondo into the brain cavity. The other end is also looped and is bondoed into the form. I prefer a wrapped neck ... (but then I'm ancient and weird in a lot of other ways as well. <G>) I use latex caulk to smooth out the head/neck junction.
have I ever had to make a head incision on a ringneck. I run my wire out the top of the skull as well. Once that skin dries up and your epoxie sets the head will stop flopping.
I don't put ANYTHING in the brain cavity. The "U" wire is imbedded int the forward part of the head and hasn't failed me yet. The "juncture" is the area where the neck and head meet, Bristol. I use monofilament and I make small stitches that I cinch up as I go. Guess practice keeps me from getting feathers stuck.
Cyclone, you're one lucky dude. I skin grouse, chickens, HEN pheasants, and some of the wading birds out over the head, but I've destroyed several mature, nuptually plumed pheasant cocks so I don't even tempt that fate anymore.
I use a tightly wrapped piece of "tow" to rebuild my heads and finish with clay or epoxy. I run a wire into this core with a little hot glue and presto.
I agree that you shouldnt need a head incision on a rooster. I do have an occasional tear when skinning the head, but its a snap to sew. I do have a friend that is superglueing his head incisions, though I am not sure yet about that technique
I let the Apoxie set up over night, and I have to go to work now, so hopefully by the time I get to working on it tonite, everything will be a'ight. If not, I s'pose I'll try Bondo. I really didn't want to make an incision in the head/neck, but when I was skinning the head, it felt like the head was going to rip off. Things don't usually go as smoothly for me as most folks. But I guess this has been a learning experience, and I'm sure there will be many more.Thanx again.
It relates back to my apprentice days. The "old timer" I worked for was so backed up...In the summer months, I did two birds a day, every day, for about 3 years straight...