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replica ? holy big head so now how do i

Discussion in 'Fish Taxidermy' started by tracy, Jan 31, 2012.

  1. Jan 31, 2012 #1
    tracy

    tracy coon dogs

    807
    0
    Indiana
    got a big cat and the head needs to be put on some how the head feels like it is 10 lbs
    so for the ones that do replicas all the time how do you secure them on
    don,t want to drill in to it if i can help it
    thanks
     
  3. Feb 1, 2012 #2
    FishArt

    FishArt Well-Known Member

    10,593
    1,072
    Illinois
    Not sure what you're doing? Did you already mold the body and you're looking to attach the head to the rest of the replica? Or, did you do a traditional skin mount with the body and are now trying to attach an artificial head to it? Either way? 10 pounds for the head? What, is it cast in LEAD???
     

  5. Feb 1, 2012 #3
    Kerby Ross

    Kerby Ross KSU - Class of '83; U.S. Army - Infantry (83-92)

    7,311
    824
    Arizona
    I drill........

    On all my repro heads I drill and attach a bolt(s) and then drill on the other end and attach with either bondo/fiberglass resin, 2 part 5-minute epoxy etc...

    On something that heavy I would secure it with a couple of rods, of course three in a triangle is always the best.

    :)

    Kerby...
     
  6. Feb 1, 2012 #4
    tracy

    tracy coon dogs

    807
    0
    Indiana
    it is 7 lbs just the head just put it on the scales it is a real big flathead cat 46in 57lbs that is the way it came
    never done any thing this big and want to do all the detail work on the inside first called
    lakecountry and they tell me 2 part epoxy is how they do them
    just don't want it to come lose after all is done

     
  7. Feb 1, 2012 #5
    hodx

    hodx Herman Darr

    1,408
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    Edgewood,Maryland
    if it was a solid cast , it would weigh 10.lbs...but i just can't see a cast head weighing that much....isn't a cast part about 1/8" thick
     
  8. Feb 1, 2012 #6
    Clew

    Clew Help a child, Build our future

    10,821
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    York, SC
    Kerby has the way
    But at this weight, is it solid plaster?
     
  9. Feb 2, 2012 #7
    tracy

    tracy coon dogs

    807
    0
    Indiana
    no it is not plaster fiber glass yes
    will take some pictures and post later
    11 1/2 wide at gills 13 long and 8 thick it is not hollow other than the inside detail
    the mouth is open but not enough for me to fit my hand in
     
  10. Feb 2, 2012 #8
    Clew

    Clew Help a child, Build our future

    10,821
    21,169
    York, SC
    Can't wait to see the photos
     
  11. Feb 2, 2012 #9
    tracy

    tracy coon dogs

    807
    0
    Indiana
    lets see if they load
    just to give you a idea of size the wood base in the back ground has a lifesize bear on it
     

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  12. Feb 2, 2012 #10
    GBRUCH

    GBRUCH "I am nothing without christ".....John 15:5

    1,574
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    Duncannon,PA
    I would position the head onto the body where I want it and pre drill 2 holes through the head and into the shelf it sits on that would allow me to "pin" it using wires. I than would remove the head and mix me up some bondo or apoxie and place it on the shelf and slide the head in position insert pins being sure they recess slightly in the head. bland with apoxie sculpt and or magic smooth and it is good to go.
     
  13. Feb 5, 2012 #11
    den007

    den007 Active Member

    3,467
    15
    Position it with wire...make initial attachment with Tech bond or hot melt......tape any gill openings.....pour in some urethane.....hog out mouth area and sculpt in mouth interior. That sucker will fall off if you think bondo is glue.
     
  14. Feb 6, 2012 #12
    GBRUCH

    GBRUCH "I am nothing without christ".....John 15:5

    1,574
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    Duncannon,PA
    Den - never had one of my heads fall off after attaching it with bondo.
     
  15. Feb 6, 2012 #13
    tracy

    tracy coon dogs

    807
    0
    Indiana
    got it on there drilled as many holes as i could used fiber glass jelly pinned let sit seems ok
     
  16. Feb 6, 2012 #14
    FishArt

    FishArt Well-Known Member

    10,593
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    Illinois
    I agree. First, it's sitting up on that "shelf" of the body and pinned in. On a fish this size I'd use several pins and I might even try to pin it at the throat latch if there's enough material. With the bondo at any touchpoints combined with probable usage of Apoxie Sculpt to blend.... That head ain't going anywhere. Same way I do artifical heads on my skin mounts. Although if the heads heavy (on a skin mount), I might run a length of dowel into the foam first for added structural support...