When you are altering forms to fit something better... say you're adding or taking away a middle section due to an animals length... how do you test this before you permanently bondo/screw/adhesive/whatever the thing together? On heavy things, would the screws (or rods) alone hold?
I was given an elk cape which I'm mounting for myself. I think it was cut two short in the brisket area on one side. If it doesn't work, I'm thinking about taking a section of the neck out when I reattach the form together (it was cut to ship). Or, I could cut the backboard off and reattach a new one. Not sure.
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I have this same thing right now. One option, order the form without the back board in the form - cut out what you want, trace on back board, cut and install. Maybe an option, I read somewhere that RMI will custom pour a manikin, they used to.
On a form as large as elk, i would sharpen 3-4 pcs, of threaded rod (1/4 "),about 8" long.For a temp sets fit this should hold. You can use a drill to screw the rod in.As for cutting the form , i guess it would depend on how short the cape is.I would lean toward shortening the back board over the neck ,(makes for less sculpting), but thats just me.If you are short on one side you could cut the back on a scew, and produce an offset shoulder of sorts.Verses,shortening the entire brisket. Hope this helps. Ed
Don't take it out of the neck it will mess the rest of the brisket up take it off the back....
And I know Bondo WILL hold the form together, but I don't trust it. It "holds" by filling nooks and crannies in the foam. When I get one, I dish out both sides of the form. Then I cut a sprue on one side. I take 5 inch screws from WASCO and align the form, and screw it together with double screws from both sides in about 5 or 6 places around the circumference. I tape around the incision to make it watertight. Then I mix foam and pour it into the sprue. As the foam expands, excess comes out the sprue which can later be removed and sanded. I remove all the 5 inch screws and save them for the next one. Then, as Ed almost got to, I take 2 pieces of threaded stock about 4 feet long. With a hack saw, I slot one end of the thread stock and sharpen the other end. Then I set the screw up on the face of the form and align it with the neck. Taking a 1/2 inch drill, I screw the threadstock down into the form though the head and into the neck (one on each side of the forehead). When the drill gets down to the foam, I stop. Then I take a big common screwdriver and screw the threadstock the rest of the way into the form. Then I cover the hole with Critter Clay.
This way insures that the form is adhered together solid and that the threaded rod stock will support additional weight of those antlers. I do this with ALL big game (moose and especially the pencil necked wild sheep species).
I really appreciate the insight and suggestions.
George,
What kind of foam do you prefer?
2 part foam, You can get it from just about any supplier.
Sorry I didn't say it in the post. Order yours from whomever you order your other supplies from. All the major suppliers carry their particular brand.