Five Bill Kell Brant - a quick rehab

Steve Sanford

Steve Sanford

Well-known member
Good morning, All~


I was interested to learn recently from George Williams that Bill Kell was one of the Runamuck Decoy carvers - a shadowy group of subversive whittlers who serve the gunning community here in the East. My interest stemmed from the fact that I had just completed a few chores on 5 sweet Brant....




View attachment sm KB 01- all 5 BEFORE.JPG



Each bore the signature - all from the early part of this century (2000 - 2004) - of one William J. Kell II.


View attachment sm KB 02 - WJK signature A.JPG



The birds were elegantly carved.


View attachment sm KB 03 - drinker CLOSEUP.JPG



This posture is One for the Ages....


View attachment sm KB 04 - sleeper FULL.JPG



The paint, too, was exceptional.


View attachment sm KB 05 - side paint.JPG



My customer gave me "complete creative control" - but my principal task was to install new "Al McCormick-style" flat keels on each bird. All the keels had been removed by the time I got the birds, but I understand they were fairly tall/deep.


View attachment sm KB 06 - keel wound.JPG



So, I first filled the wounds with thickened epoxy (SM Fairing Compound from US Composites).



View attachment sm KB 07 - filler on keel wounds.JPG



Both bills and tails showed normal wear. So, I sealed and toughened each bill with a paste of epoxy + graphite....


View attachment sm KB 08 - bill filler.JPG



Same on the aft end....


View attachment sm KB 09 - tail filler-sealer.JPG



(tale continues in next post)


SJS













 
All~


The new keels were made from a nice length of especially dense Philippine Mahogany (Lauan). I suspect these birds will not need keel weights to trim or ride properly.


View attachment sm KB 10 - Keel clamped on.JPG



The keels are held onto the tan cork bodies with 3M 5200. The screws were temporary - to keep the keels in place during clamping and while the 5200 cured.


View attachment sm KB 11 - Keels clamped.JPG



The screw holes were filled with 5200 later on. The keels were sealed with Spar Varnish then painted with duckboat paint - Pettit 3303 Dull Dead Grass.



View attachment sm KB 12 - finished bottom.JPG



The anchor line holes were chamfered (with a countersink bit) to minimize chafe.



View attachment sm KB 13 - anchor line hole.JPG



Bills and tails were sanded. I retained each signature and most of Bill Kell's paint. I re-painted the Black up forward - avoiding the original necklaces....


View attachment sm KB 14 Head closep after.JPG



and I refreshed the White on the sterns.


View attachment sm KB 15 Profile FULL.JPG



Once again, ready-to-hunt - and to lay straight up when the tide runs out on the mud or sand.


View attachment sm KB 16 - Brant 5 at sea FULL.JPG



All the best,


SJS



 
They came out great Steve.So much more manageable while still keeping Bill's great style.

Thanks again

Best
Bob
 
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