Tail Board Material

[Arthur Webster]

What material do you use for the tail board inserts on cork decoys and what thickness.

 

[Eric Patterson]

Topic moved to proper location.

 

[Pete McMiller]

I've used 1/4" plywood and it has held up well for 15 years or so. Just make sure it's sealed well. I used 50/50 boiled Linseed and Turpentine

 

[Andy Grant]

I have used pine board from the local lumber yard. basic 1x8. The stuff worked, but was very hard to carve. The grain was random, which could be overcome. But the wood itself was very hard compared to normal carving stock. Perhaps from the kiln drying and age.

The boards were 3/4" thick of course. Doing it again I would resaw the stuff thinner to 3/8" or 1/2" to make easier to manage. I used it for bottom boards as well. The tails were easier than dealing with the bottoms.

 

[Bill Clark]

I use vinyl [plastic] ? trim board from menards or lowes it is about one quarter inch thick comes in 8' lengths easy to work with and holds paint well,also comes in colors.

 

[gcs]

Old dressers you find on the side of the road usually have 1/4-3/8" drawer bottoms of some hardwood, Free is good.

 

[george w]

3/8" cedar pine, or whatever is around. I have taken to keeping my ends from doing heads and bodies, which may be up to 3" thick, then laying a pattern so the tail is running with grain, not cross grain. Then, you can mark and cut off tail insertrs from the bigger piece as needed. I will try to remember to forward a photo to Steve Sanford. He might post it up, since i am basically computer illiterate-left handed-right-brained does not bode well for these logic oriented machines. ;?)>

 

[Phil Eager]

Old dressers you find on the side of the road usually have 1/4-3/8" drawer bottoms of some hardwood, Free is good.

Funny I do the same thing I usually use the sides and back. Usually good hard wood.

Phil

 

[Jon Yenulonis]

I like tail boards mostly for wear and tear. I use individual partitioned bags and stack the deres on their tails. The plywood holds up against excessive or early wear. I use scrap 3/8" exterior grade plywood. As mentioned above, just make sure to seal it well. I use my finger to coat the open end with a good quality caulk to fill in the grain and cracks, then a couple coats of sealer and paint. I have been using mine for a long time with no problems.

Jon

 

[Pat Gregory]

Arthur - Gave up on tailboards years ago. The less seams and glue on a decoy the better.


Just my 2 cents...

 

[Steve Sanford]

Arthur~

Here is how George Williams uses "scrap" pine cut outs to make tail inserts for cork birds:

SJS