What's on your work bench ? SEPTEMBER

Steve Sanford

Steve Sanford

Well-known member
All~




I am working on so many different projects concurrently that it has been tough to plan each day. I had planned to begin a "mantel-piece" Canvasback today - but spent most of my time on my wood stove: re-sealing seams and re-caulking doors.



I did, though, sneak in some decoy work. I completed re-painting 5 gorgeous Al McCormick Sleeper Broadbill. There are lots of ways to represent the exotic curves formed by snoozing fowl. I have always thought Al's approach to be truly elegant. A sixth bird is clearly inspired by Al's birds - but is solid wood and has a deep line cut between the back and the sides.


Click on any image to view it larger.




Here is the BEFORE shot:



View attachment sm 1 Zamp Broadbill BEFORE sm.JPG



Here are the "stock" McCormicks AFTER:



View attachment sm 2 McCormick Sleepers 01.JPG


View attachment sm 3 McCormick Sleepers 02.JPG




The custom bird had been filled, faired and smoothed by skilled hands. The "rollout" line is lower than I would cut it - but has ample historical precedent. It was fun to paint.


View attachment sm 4 Sleeper custom 01.JPG







I added a McCormick-style keel - to replace a square block that had been screwed on, probably just to hold the bird in a vise.


View attachment sm 5 Sleeper custom 04 - bottom.JPG






Sweet dreams! Lots more to come this month.....



View attachment sm 6 Sleeper custom 03.JPG






All the best,



SJS
 
Good morning, Carl~

I look forward to that rehab!


As promised, here is more hot off the bench......



These Canada Geese decoys are among my earliest memories. They are Model Superior (I believe) birds from Herter's. Of course, the bodies are that special "hard Santa Marta balsa." I wish I knew whether my Dad had ordered them new from Herter's - or somehow got them second hand. These were sold in the late-40s and early 50s; I was "made" in 1953. My Dad also had 7 Broadbill (Bluebill to the Minnesotan Herter's company) and 7 Mallards/Black Mallards.



When in high school, my dad asked me to paint our 7 Canadas as Brant. We were shooting lots of Brant then - thanks to a 6-bird daily limit - and we mostly shot Geese over our field rig. My first paint job used Herter's oils.



The originals had flat bottoms, with just a brass screw eye for attachment. The High-head has a nicely-formed, delicate keel with an external lead ballast nailed on. When I started gunning them myself in the early 80s, I added beefier keels with poured-in lead for ballast. All of these Herter's Superior decoys will flip in a heavy wind without some help.



Click on any image to view it larger.



View attachment sm 2A Herters Superior - BRANT 04.JPG



I also re-painted them - having observed and handled many thousands of Brant as a biologist or NYSDEC.


View attachment sm 1A Herters Superior as Brant.JPG








I decided to "restore" these to their original Canada Goose identities - but hated to paint over all of the hard-earned wear and patina. So, I re-painted them along with a bunch of techniques and tricks to lend the appearance of long use.


View attachment sm 1 Superior Highhead 01.JPG



View attachment sm 3 Superior Feeder 02.JPG






Their new home is atop a pine secretary in our library - a piece of furniture restored by Susan's Dad back in the 1940s.


View attachment sm 5 Superiors on secretary 02.JPG






Back to the shop....



SJS




 
very nice Steve - i have an "experienced" one of those Herters geese on the high shelf that runs around the kitchen

i like the aged look
 
Steve Sanford said:
Rick~

I'm confused.....is it the goose or the shelf that runs around your kitchen????

All the best,

SJS
Click to expand...

[;)]

Now if I say it's the shelf that's running around [huh]

The Wildfowler brant on the other end of the room keeps an eye on both of them
 
Nice work Steve! I'm carving a hen broadbill now and was studying your Homer broadbill painting tutorial.
 
Carl, thanks for reminding me I need to refurbish the grill before the season opens. Last of the "honey do" list components...deck, paver walk-way, driveway all coated and stained. Forty divers painted and rigged. Behind in whistle and hand signal distance handling with my youngest lab.

Still have to rebuild the carburetor and fuel pump on the 6hp kicker on the TDB from trolling hours this summer...gotta love ethanol containing fuel. No options left up here now.
 
Last edited:
Pete~

I like the way you brought that Broadie-beak's speculum into the side!

I am working on a Can with a "backwards head" right now.....

All the best,

SJS
 
Rear bearing broke apart when I tried to pull it, left just the center sleeve attached to the shaft, not enough for the great pulled to grasp.
Thinking I need to get Dremel & cut it off.
Its that or I buy a new armature.
 
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