LL Bean tailboard replacment ?

[Bill Ferrar]

How do you replace worn tailboards from Bean decoys.
I have tried but always seem to break tail cork that is above the cork.

Is there a way to remove the tailboard without breaking the cork?
thanks,

 

[Bill Embacher]

Bill, its difficult to remove that tail without breaking the cork. I always cut the cork in line with the front of the tailboard and replace both the cork and the tail. Even if you salvage the cork that exists its rarely if ever in good shape.

Bill

 

[Steve Sanford]

Good morning, Bill - and Bill~


Mr. Embacher is right on the money. I have tried to remove the worn (delaminated, crumbled) tail board by sawing it on the bandsaw with the bird on its side. However, there is little cork above the tail and it often crumbles apart during surgery.


These decoys need longer tail inserts - a la Al McCormick. Making and installing longer boards, though, is a big job.


All the best,


SJS

 

[Bill Ferrar]

Glad to see I am having the same issue as others when it comes to removing worn tailboards.
One thing I find interesting is that sometimes I find a staple in the board and other time no staple