Looking for Cork crumbles/dust
- Thread starter Tom V
- Start date
Scott Farris
Well-known member
Black or tan? I can dig up some Black cork here by Bradley Airport.
Scott
Scott
Scott Farris
Well-known member
Tom,
Believe it or not, Black Vs Tn isn't about color, its the method the cork is made which results in significantly different densities and textures.
The black, or refrigerator cork, is ground and pressed into shape (blocks) under high heat which darkens the cork and creates its own adhesive. This results in a light weight,(lots of insulating air pockets) much more fragile product. Most, if not all mass produced cork decoys like LLBean's are black cork. Note: this cork often has bits of sticks and other wood chunks pressed into it and is much less clean to work with.
The tan is ground cork mixed with adhesive before being pressed into shape resulting in much stronger but denser product. Tan cork decoys don't typically need the bottom boards and tail support that black cork decoys need, plus it can be carved to a higher degree of detail than the black cork. Tan cork is preferred by many if not most custom carvers, due to the lower unit output, the actual cost of the cork is less of a concern in the overall cost of the decoy.
Overall benefits of Tan Vs Black is one of the never agreed on discussions.
Depending on the size of the repairs I guess you could use either cork but large repairs of non-matching cork could screw up the decoys balance. Which part of the state are you in?
Scott
Black Cork Wigeon
Believe it or not, Black Vs Tn isn't about color, its the method the cork is made which results in significantly different densities and textures.
The black, or refrigerator cork, is ground and pressed into shape (blocks) under high heat which darkens the cork and creates its own adhesive. This results in a light weight,(lots of insulating air pockets) much more fragile product. Most, if not all mass produced cork decoys like LLBean's are black cork. Note: this cork often has bits of sticks and other wood chunks pressed into it and is much less clean to work with.
The tan is ground cork mixed with adhesive before being pressed into shape resulting in much stronger but denser product. Tan cork decoys don't typically need the bottom boards and tail support that black cork decoys need, plus it can be carved to a higher degree of detail than the black cork. Tan cork is preferred by many if not most custom carvers, due to the lower unit output, the actual cost of the cork is less of a concern in the overall cost of the decoy.
Overall benefits of Tan Vs Black is one of the never agreed on discussions.
Depending on the size of the repairs I guess you could use either cork but large repairs of non-matching cork could screw up the decoys balance. Which part of the state are you in?
Scott
Black Cork Wigeon
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Scott,
Thanks for the info I had no idea.
I use the cork dust to cover foam decoys after I put a layer of West System epoxy on them.
Twenty Five years ago I did a Canada Goose floater rig that need some attention/touch up.
Any color cork will do just looking for crumbles and dust. Are you truly near Bradley Airport?
Thanks for the info I had no idea.
I use the cork dust to cover foam decoys after I put a layer of West System epoxy on them.
Twenty Five years ago I did a Canada Goose floater rig that need some attention/touch up.
Any color cork will do just looking for crumbles and dust. Are you truly near Bradley Airport?
Scott Farris
Well-known member
Truly, 5 min driving - E Granby
Vince Pagliaroli
Well-known member
West system epoxy, cork dust, or wood dust powder gleaned from inside the bandsaw makes for good coating and spackle. Have used it many ways in creating and repairing decoys.
Did a deep clean of my small shop last summer. Tossed lots of cork crumble & fine dust, black, tan, life vest, sorry. Saved two coffee cans full just in case. Don't make as many cork decoys as in the past.
my 2 cents