I have never mounted a bear rug (or any other type rug) and I'm confused on what is the best method to attach the felt backing. I read conflicting arguments on what is "the best" method. I realize that much of the disagreement is a function of, time spent vs profit as well as the quality of the final product. With that said, I would like to use the hot glue method if I can achieve good results. I don't want my reputation blemished by inferior work. If anybody can help set me straight it would be appreciated. Rick
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is the most reliable method. you dont want your bear slipping away from the backing on a warm day. Hot glue may be fine for smaller rugs like badgers, bobcats etc... but still i opt for sewing on them as well. just a nicer, more professional looking product. Good luck.
Rick, For sure sewing looks more impressive on close inspection but good results can be had with hot glue. There are some things to be careful about. Glue must be applied well under the visable edge of the hide to prevent getting it in the hair or having it spoil the show side of the felt. The bottom layer of felt needs to be the heaviest weight felt you can get so that the glue does not soak all the way through to the back side-this would look bad though would be very strong. I prefer the synthetic felt from Van Dykes- the brown and black can be gotten in very heavy rug weight and the synthetics do not attract moths. When assembling the rug be sure to press glued sections of about 6" together and hold till the glue holds-if the glue starts to cool before you press the stuff together you won't get a good bond. You also need to be careful of drips getting onto the felt borders. If it happens allow to set and shave off with scalpel or razor blade. As for felt or skin pulling apart, it's not going to happen. Well heated hot glue soaks into the felt and grabs well to tanned skin. Test it yourself--glue 2 layers of felt together, let set and pull it apart. The felt will be destroyed but the glue will hold. No, it's not sewn and maybe that really matters to some people but it is a time tested method that can yield a nice rug. Enjoy, Aaron H.
Sewing lasts !
The shop I work at has used hot glue for over 15 years, and we do over 100 bear rugs a year - they have never had a probelm with felt coming away from the hide....
one suggestion - some tanneries leave the hide more oily - I think this is where the glue can pull away - The tannery we send our skins to does not leave the hide very oily, and the glue adheres very well. Plan on testing your tan to see if it will work with hot glue. I would suggest having all skins for rugwork professionally tanned. (not at your shop).
...will give you that "professional" look you stated you were looking for. I repair dozens of rugs a year that were "hot glued" by other rugmakers.I have been a professional rugmaker for the Industry for over 16 years and do rugs for many of the leading studios across the nation. One of the questions a reputable studio looking for me to do there rugs asks, is" Do you sew or use hot glue?" They do not want a hot glued product. Also, sewing is a less time consuming process than hot gluing, thus creating a better profit margin for yourself.
Just my two cents,
Regards,
Mary
I too have been doing taxidermy for a very long time, 18 years in fact. Hot glue does not hold up ! I repair a lot of those "Quality" hot glued rugs every year.
Would you rather have a nice new leather coat that was sewn together or hot glued ? Common sense !
If you care enough about quality, then don't take the shortcuts,
do it the right way.
so - how do you repair sewn rugs when the seam begins to rip through the leather - as many of the older rugs we have had in for repairs do? Maybe you have repaired "quality" hot glued rugs, my guess is that these were not quality mounts - but if the process is done CORRECTLY (as with anything) it will and should hold up for as long as the leather is strong. (Just as I am sure there are people that 'sew' a bad rug, there are people that 'glue' a bad rug also.
...."jh"?...if you are so vehemently proud of your hot glued rugs...why are you ashamed to attach your name to them? Sounds like you are doing a large quantity for the industry...100 rugs or so ...you stated.
Why the secrecy in posting your name?
because I choose not to.......
I've done thousands of bears,glued , with no problems.