I'm about to use some "not so technical" terms. I'm about to finish up a turkey fan/beard mount and I'm wondering if I can keep the second set of feathers down from the tail feathers? A common fan mount has the fan then the next shorter feathers. I want to use both of those sets of feathers plus the next layer of shorter feathers, they look sort of like down feathers at the bottoms but the tops have a nice patteren.
I have the tail and first layer of feathers skined down to the quils. Then when scraping all the fat off the third layer of feathers the skin started to come away from the tail base as if it was starting to go up the back. I have all of the skin shaved down to the quils with just enough to hold them in place. Then I plan on putting bondo of the front first to hold all three layers in place.
If this makes sense please let me know if this can be done with no ill affects.
Thanks alot!
Joe T
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You should use that third set of feathers (the fluffy ones with the shiny pattern on top) That's how I do my fans, and the customers like it that way. Bondo is a great way to attatch the large feathers together. Some people suggest hot glue, but I have found that hot glue is not as sturdy on those large quills. Also, if the skin between the feather quills comes apart, don't worry. I actually take all the skin off the large feathers, arrange them , then bondo them. I do leave the skin on the smaller feathers, but I wire wheel them and dust them with borax. I bondo the fan in place, then hot glue the smaller sets of feathers on top (you can use hot glue on the smaller feathers, but bondo is better for the large feathers) Take your time on fan mounts, because if you do it right, it will look awesome.
All the quills on the fan are still attached at the top is that ok? The front most feathers are attached to the tail feathers at the very top part of the skin on that tail quills.
The closest example of what I'm seeing on my fan is that it almost looks like its split like a deers lip, if that makes sense. I think the feathers I'm trying to use are more on the back skin than at the base of the tail. I shaved up and under the front layer of feathers then down the tail quils to clean up the back to layers of feathers.
I'm having a hard time explaining this so any ideas or advise would be appericated!
Thanks
Joe
Yes Joe that's what Becky is referring to. The feathers on the hackle (back). I like to take enough of those feathers as well to make sure that my second piece of the plaque (where the tail slips in the slot) covers any of the downy feathers. Personal preference, but looks profesional that way.
I'll have to remember that one. Thanks!