MAY - What's on your Work Bench ?

Steve,
Your paint techniques really add to the finished appearance of Al's decoys. I especially like the hens --- Al would be proud.




Joe
 
Jode - Cock Bird Urn. Man you captured the essence of a Range Rooster Runner. A very proper place for " Family Member & Man's Best Friend". Two thumbs way up.

Lots of eye candy, for a month when folks are fishin' and gobbler huntin' to break the winter doldrums. Keeps a person inspired.
 
Good morning, Tom~

Spectacular!

I am wondering, though....now that you are moving toward less-than-lifesize....with your annual rigs now contain thousands of decoys ?

All the best,

SJS
 
I've test them in a tub, so far yes. But I may add a 2 oz piece of old strap weight to each one just to make sure they do in rough water. They are very light.
 
Steve, great post, as usual. But one photo piqued my interest. It was the one with the flat keel. I carved a small Brant stool a couple of years ago but I think they might b a little too tall or too narrow. I was thinking that perhaps a weighted flat keel might be helpful. Can you explain the dimensions for these keels? Thanks

Frank
 
Good morning, Frank~

Al's keels were 3-inches wide (just measured one in the shop). If your Brant is very tender, though, you may need a deep (2 inches) keel with lead either poured into the bottom of the keel or a screwed-on weight as on Al's birds.

Getting the right, duck-like motion on the water - especially in a chop - is always a challenge. I have come to appreciate the old Wildfowler Decoys models - typically a bit lower and a bit wider than the actual bird.

Hope this helps.

SJS
 
Frank, if your dekes are narrow and high, it may be necessary to work with a taller, narrower. keel.
Steve covered the flat, wide keel on Al's stuff pretty accurately-On a low water situation, the decoys would still sit flat, as opposed to laying on their edges.
A deeper keel will probably solve the tall and narrow problem, BUT, if the tide goes out, they will not look reasonably realistic,lying on their sides!
The alternative is to hang a swing weight on your existing keel. Down side on them is if you are dealing with a number of decoys-Chance of causing scratches and damage increases/
It's all about trade-offs. isn't it?
 
Besides working on remodeling and testing a new camper i have been getting some airbrush time in on some lures and knocking off some rust while remembering paint techniques....

Just a few examples....






These two didn't have topcoat on when i took the picture


 
Mark, what type of paint do you use. Thinking of touching up a couple of salt water lures. How small a brush you use, steady hands? Nice air brushing, need some practice pieces??? Nice work...
 
Mark, do you use lacquer clear coat, or something else as a topcoat? Just repainted some old body baits...like your topcoat appearance much better. How durable has it proven to be? Does it hold up to salmon teeth?
 
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