New Redhead for this year

T

Tom Rowe

Active member
I think I'm about ready to start building the mold for this one. I'm hoping to cast 40 or so for this years rig. I'm also experimenting with a new textured finish. I think it will hold flocking adhesive better and or make a good non reflective surface for just paint.




 
Tom, very nice work!

I use 3M rocker panel spray (medium) to texture birds; foam and tan cork. I have never had an issue with paint adhesion, with some birds closing-in on 15 years in use.

Do you reinforce your bills in some way? You mold thinner than I dare carve, and I carve a lot of redheads!
 
Bruce Its kind of a long process to make the mold. Its not hard. Lots of little steps that need to be done right is all. After the mold is done I cast the decoys using HD urethane foam. I've come up with a process over the years that allows me to cast them a foam core surrounded by a hard plastic shell.


RL, the process I use allows me to cast the heads with solid plastic bills on the heads and solid plastic tails and primaries on the bodies. Like I was saying above you basically end up with a foam core surrounded by a plastic shell. The plastic I use is roughly 5X stronger than the plastic used to make PVC pipe. The decoys are not indestructible but they are pretty tough. I have not broken a bill or tail yet...knock on wood.
 
Tom-

That is one fine Ginger.

Is your process proprietary? That sounds pretty involved but would also seem to be a good way to knock out 40 or more decoys relatively quick. Then of course there is the time for painting.

Chad A
 
I would not say the system I use is proprietary. Over the past 15 years or so I have been experimenting with different methods to make molds. Through trial and lots of error I have come up with a system that works for me. Trust me, once you figure a few basic things out its very easy to do. It takes about 15 minutes to cast a head and a body blank. You are spot on in that the painting and/or flocking process is the most time consuming part of the whole thing.


It's just a hobby for me. It helps make duck season a year round event.
 
Tom, very nice bird! Should be a popular build, since we really did get the redheads this year in the late season. All the best, Rufus
 
Looking stellar as always! would you share how you get that textured look? i love the way it looks. If its a trade secret I fully understand!
 
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