Form Help

Quite often you don't get all of the measurements to align perfectly. I'd go with one of the 96-7018 forms, direction is up to you, but to drop a 1/4 in the eye to nose isn't that big of a deal or you can make a straight cut behind the lip line from top to bottom and add a 1/4 inch in length to the muzzle, not that hard. I think there is a tutorial on here or McKenzies website on how.

 

I’ve bought capes or skins from East Coast before and they are great to work with, but I would not purchase of form until I had the cape in my hands and I confirmed the measurement myself. His capes generally have good stretch, but I would still purchase the form closest to the measurements of the cape itself without going over. If you do go over, you can sand or rasp it down as mentioned. If you go a little under the size and have a little bit of looseness in the skin you can fill in with caulk and actually bulk up the neck muscles a little. You just have to be very careful to get it even and then let it sit for a week or so carefully grooming the skin each day to allow the caul to dry thoroughly. The point is, for you as a beginner, to get as close a fit as possible so you won’t have to make any adjustments. For most of the more experienced taxidermists these adjustments are not an issue at all, and sooner or later you are going to need to learn to make them yourself. But for now, try to make it as simple and straightforward as possible.

 

This whole post is so fricken out of hand it’s ridiculous, your talking 1 inch difference on the third measurement . I’m willing to bet the OP is more confused now then ever . The chances of you getting the perfect form on every cape is so far off it’s , crazy . New or old to this trade. You get as close as you can and roll with it. These answers from some means you alter every single form that that you get for every single deer . We all know that’s BS . I agree with taking your own measurements but if your new to this and your counting on those measurements that’s form he ask about will fit 99% of the time for that cape . You all are confusing this whole post just trying to win the meeting of the minds ,( I know more then you do ) it’s becoming hilarious.

 

Yet, you couldn't resist.
If you are referring to my replies, you would be wrong on that. This was never about who's more right or wrong or know's more, for me anyway. This was about relaying my experiences to this person asking questions, trying to help them avoid mistakes, that I've made and learned from in my more than 2 decades of this. In the end we agree on the form working.

 

Nope I’m talking all , including mine .

 

As others have stated, get as close as possible under the measurement. You will not see the difference and it makes life easier when taxing the cape on the form.

 

now go have a cold drink and relax.