I have caped and wet preserved the hide. I go to fit the cape on the form, and at first it appears way to small. I talkin" like 10 inches to small at the very back of the form. But then I realized that with the cape pulled snug on the face that the briskit hair wasn't even showing and the eyes din't even come close to matching up. So when I positioned the briskit to where it looked correct, it fit around the form fine on the back, but the face was hanging off a few inch's. The form I have is a 7 1/2" x 19". Do you think that it is way too small. Would an 8" x 23" make that much of a difference?
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What are you trying to mount?
if you have a 8x23;ILL BUY IT.
trying to put a cape on either way, your way off. No way is 7 1/2x19 going on 8x23 or 8x23 going on 7 1/2x19. Get a form that's gonna fit from your measurements, atleast you'll be in the ballpark.
If the 19" neck fits, why would you want to buy a 23" form?
If the neck brisket fit is good, then alter the muzzle length of the form to fit the skin; if your muzzle hangs off the form a 1/2" or so then cut the nose off right behind the lip line, add a 1/4" slice of foam, and hot glue it all back together.
You can use a rasp to reshape the and blend the pieces together.
Leaving up to a 1/4" of slack in the face is not a problem, actually its nice to have that slack!
The skin will pack in that much when you work the facial details.
Double check your cape measurements. If they are right for the form, then you have the hide adjusted wrong on the mount. The face should not be pulled tight on the form. If there is a 10" gap at the back then slide the cape shoulders forward. Work the slack out as you sew.
Sounds like it. Doesnt sound like you have any idea what the size of your cape is? If you answered yes to either question and especially if you answered yes to both, then you might want to "study" taxidermy more first, before trying to mount a deer etc.
would you want to use such a small form, that is if your measurments are correct, just like the old saying measure twice order once.the half inch on the eye to nose,no big deal but four inches on the neck thats a big deal if it's a paying customer.
you need to remeasure your cape and order a form to match.
Thank you to those that helped and didn't criticize.
Now that I have to order a new form, my cape will be sitting for a week. It was fleshed then washed in a water/borax mix. Should I keep it refrigerated, frozen, or just in a plastic bag?
A week is to long in the fridge.
Yup... first time! Bugs shouldn't be a problem... but the STANK is guna suck!
Nate, I dont know where you live, but my suggestion to you would be to join your local taxidermy association. When I first started my career in taxidermy it was nightmare! I live in Ohio so I joined the Ohio Association of Taxidermists and The Professional Taxidermists of Ohio. It was the best thing I ever did! Contact Hilton Eppley forms for more info. P.S. Most taxidermists would be more than happy to help you.
Thanks for your input guys. I am actually only doing this for myself. I have no itentions of doing this for a living, I think it is safe to say that at his point I should keep my day job.
Jrosbor; do have any recomendations for using borax in another way, or doing somethine else along with the borax wash?
nuff said