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How Can I Slow Down My Fish Fill From Setting Too Fast?

Discussion in 'Fish Taxidermy' started by slabbandit, Mar 21, 2021.

  1. Mar 21, 2021 #1
    slabbandit

    slabbandit Active Member

    396
    103
    Arkansas
    I'm trying a new mixture of 50/50 Matuska and Tom Sexton Filler. My shop temp is at 70 degrees and humidity is at 50%. Granted I probably took a little too long to get it filled it started to set and set fast when it did. I cast mine flat and get them out while still rubbery and prop up the tail and head. Should I try casting with them curved instead? Worked fine on my old mix but tail broke on this one. I pulled skin off and am fixing to try again.
    Also, is there something I can add to slow the set up time?
    Thanks
     
  3. Mar 22, 2021 #2
    Beltonbanger

    Beltonbanger Active Member

    294
    52
    The heart of Texas
    Borax, easy does it!
     

  5. Mar 22, 2021 #3
    Clew

    Clew Help a child, Build our future

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    Borax works great
    Go sparingly
     
  6. Mar 22, 2021 #4
    Vulpes Vulpes

    Vulpes Vulpes Active Member

    175
    72
    MD
    I don't know if the same principle applies to the materials you are working with; I refrigerate plain old 2-part epoxy (or any adhesive) if I need longer working time. It slows chemical reactions. Heat will accelerate curing times. Again, I can't say it will work in your application but you could try with a small amount.
     
  7. Mar 22, 2021 #5
    Clew

    Clew Help a child, Build our future

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    Yea the two part epoxy is a component that can be slowed by cooling but the cost for filling is prohibited
    Unless you want to waste big bucks
     
  8. Mar 22, 2021 #6
    Vulpes Vulpes

    Vulpes Vulpes Active Member

    175
    72
    MD
    I mean try refrigerating the filler to lengthen the curing time.
     
  9. Mar 22, 2021 #7
    Clew

    Clew Help a child, Build our future

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    No offense ment
    But epoxy and mache are totally differnt
    It will slow a bit but not what is needed from what I read
    Kinda like elmers glue vs gorilla glue
     
    Beltonbanger likes this.
  10. Mar 22, 2021 #8
    joeym

    joeym Old Murphey

    14,559
    10,590
    Chunky, Mississippi
    Add a little more water? I use Second-2-Nature fish filler and never have a problem with it setting too fast. I mix just enough water for it to hold together when I squeeze a ball of it in my fist. Too wet is as much a problem as too dry.
     
  11. Mar 25, 2021 #9
    Cecil

    Cecil Well-Known Member

    13,832
    711
    Ligonier, Indiana
    What darn fool told you to do it that way? :p

    Yeah add a little borax.

    I haven't had issues with the filler breaking since I started mixing in Matuska's. (50/50) You must have received a batch of Tom Sexton's filler with too much catalyst? Too bad they can't seem to get it right and consistent there. As I indicated here before, I got a batch once that wouldn't set at all. And others that set to quickly. When I complained after using it for over 30 years I was told there were no issues with it. What do I know after using it for 36 years?
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2021
  12. Mar 25, 2021 #10
    Clew

    Clew Help a child, Build our future

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    Cecil
    Crazy question
    How many gills in a brook trout each side
    Being serious on this one
    Don’t ask why
     
  13. Mar 26, 2021 #11
    Cecil

    Cecil Well-Known Member

    13,832
    711
    Ligonier, Indiana
    I'd have to look but I think 4 on each side of a boney fish vs. cartilingous? Did one of the trout I sold you have less?
     
  14. Mar 26, 2021 #12
    Clew

    Clew Help a child, Build our future

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    No those fish are long gone except mt two comp pieces
     
  15. Mar 26, 2021 #13
    Clew

    Clew Help a child, Build our future

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    Why don’t you mix your own
    4 lb plaster Paris with 18 lb bag of 40 min set dry wall
    Will fit perfect in 5gal pail
    Mix well as you put in pail
     
    Cecil likes this.
  16. Apr 1, 2021 #14
    slabbandit

    slabbandit Active Member

    396
    103
    Arkansas
    Ordered 25# of the old grey fish fill from McKenzie which has worked real well when mixed 50/50 with Matuska. Well, now it's real fine and white in color and marked "New and Improved". My experience with anything new and improved in Taxidermy is it usually isn't as good as the original. Not to mention they tore my head off on shipping, $35.38, after I asked they send it as cheap as possible! I once had to pay over $100 for shipping because they didn't tell me my order was coming from 3 different warehouses.
     
  17. Apr 1, 2021 #15
    Clew

    Clew Help a child, Build our future

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    Another reason to mix your own
     
    Beltonbanger likes this.
  18. Apr 1, 2021 #16
    slabbandit

    slabbandit Active Member

    396
    103
    Arkansas
    I copied your mix Clew. If I run into any problems I'll give it a try.
     
  19. Apr 2, 2021 #17
    Clew

    Clew Help a child, Build our future

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    Been using it for 30 years with no issues