The Rat Pack has fired it up again.

bballard

bballard

Well-known member
Here is a quick yet in depth look at the inner workings of the RAT"S NEST.

We had a lot of interest from young decoy makers in the village. So much so that some moms and dads have thrown their hats into the ring and decided to give decoy carving a try.

This year we are having two classes and everyone is making Michigan bobtails. They are also learning about what I like to call.. The "WILD WILLY" school of decoyalogy.

B
The Rat's Nest
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Everyone had a great time and got a good start.
 
Now that looks like a lot of fun! How long does it usually take a new carver to complete the carving process?
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It's taken me 5 going on 6 years to get mine finished :0)

I'm stuck at the painting part. (Plus 3 young kids, and all their activities slowed me down-- but I'm not complaining)
 
Those carving benches look neet, could ya show a pic of how the block holder is made? I'v had a slab of cork for 15yrs. or more & I'm getting fired up on trying my hand at carving my own blocks, but wondered how to hold it without carving my fingers up.
This site is getting expensive, tooooo many neet boats & decoys to do! I'm bout finished with the boat, busting my tookas to get it broke in this year! Now the carving bug has bit! ;>) Thanks
Dennis
 
Great looking crew Brian and I'm really looking forward to seeing the final product. The pic's were the perfect followup to the CD copy of our MSU interview. I listened to it last evening........I trust you got your copy? Anyway let me know if there is anyway I can help with the class.

On the Duck Blind Work Station: Yes it is little pricey but for good reason....it really works to hold your work solid under pressure of the draw knife and you cannot say that about the cheap ones. It's like any other tool....you get what you pay for...........

http://www.theduckblind.com/powercarvingtools.htm#Duck_Blind_Work_Station_
 
Willy, I concur about the Duck blind vice is worth it's weight in gold! I recieved my MSU stuff this AM.

Bridg, I figure that it will take about 6 to 8 hours for the decoys to be finished. The cool part is that with the Bobtail style, I can give the carvers a choice of species to carve. They can do cans, Blue bills. Red heads, Ring necks, buffies, I have one kid who was itching to do a Hooded merganser so she is going to give it a try.

The poor man's vice works in a pinch. I did find that when trying to follow the parts list that I had to change with a reducer coupling the piece that holds the top flange to the 3/4" nipple. I also would advise using forged eyebolts, machined ones just bend out when you crank on them.

The benches are made from whatever scrap I can find laying around, but they work really well, and give each carver their own work space.

More pics will follow as we move through the process.
B
 
Willy, Sorry, didn't mean for it to sound negative against your vise.

I don't have one, but have used them and it is top of the line for the job, and the poorman's is as the name implies. A couple of things I did to mine: instead of a forged eyebolt, I bought a regular one and just gave it a tack with the welder, and the other thing it did is added a 90 and 45 notch where the upright pipe (that goes through the eye bolt) lays against the large tee.

Great stuff Ballard!

Chuck
 
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Hey Chuck...no problem and don't give it another thought. I just wanted to get equal time for a great product. The Work Station makes a great holiday gift and guess what is just around the corner.........

Brian.....remind me before thursday and I will get some WS out of the storge barn for your kids to use.

Willy
 
I'm gonna second what Willy says about the strength and durability of his workstation-I have one and it's one tough tool.
 
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