Author Topic: Scoter decoy foamer build. (Read 14989 times)

h2ofowlr · « **on:** March 08, 2011, 08:12:22 PM »

I was wondering if anyone was building any decoys in the off season? I am working on foamers currently. Figuring out what works the best and learning what I should and shouldn't be doing. Taking some pictures during the process and will post those upon completion of one of the birds. Working on sea ducks for gunning out of my MLB.

Special T · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2011, 08:14:10 PM »

Very cool! Are you going to do some kind of burlap covered foam? Do you have a mold and them pour in the mix??? I'm looking forward to the pics!

h2ofowlr · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2011, 08:20:51 PM »

Foamers w/ burlap outside. I am also looking at the two part foamers with the metal mold. Just trying to get the two part foam. I guess it is a control product now. The pellets and boiling takes forever.

Special T · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2011, 08:26:51 PM »

Jeepster has some experience with the foam, and he says its is really expensive. Aprox a $100 Cube Ft. I know i'll be looking at it for when i build my Hybrid duck boat.. Where did you get the metal mold and how much did it cost? How does the pellets and hot water work?

h2ofowlr · « **Reply #4 on:** March 08, 2011, 08:27:54 PM »

Changing the process a little. Next one I do I will burlap the top then the bottom last all in one setting. I purchased some heads, so those will go on the ones with out. I am also going to try to make some by purchasing the pink sheets of foam and sandwiching vinyl flat trim in the middle then carving them heads out. Should be fun. It has been fun so far.
I probably wouldn't recommend using dock floatation like I did as it has been wet all the way through. I have been trying to dry it, but could run into problems down the road. It was free, so most of my expense will be in labor.

h2ofowlr · « **Reply #5 on:** March 08, 2011, 08:31:23 PM »

Quote from: Special T on March 08, 2011, 08:26:51 PM

Jeepster has some experience with the foam, and he says its is really expensive. Aprox a $100 Cube Ft. I know i'll be looking at it for when i build my Hybrid duck boat.. Where did you get the metal mold and how much did it cost? How does the pellets and hot water work?

It's not to bad price wise. There are a few sites you can buy the mold off of. E-bay has been selling a few.
You can buy the foam from http://www.uscomposites.com/foam.html

Special T · « **Reply #6 on:** March 08, 2011, 08:37:49 PM »

WOW 10 bucks a cube is a lot cheaper than i heard! I know in the video i have they boat builder put 2 liter pop bottles in the flotation area to make the foam go farther. wonder if you could use 1 liter bottles and surround them in foam?

dirty24d · « **Reply #7 on:** March 08, 2011, 08:38:51 PM »

i recently acquired ( purchased for 25 bucks ) plans to build my own dekes, but havent started yet, have to order some glue and have it get a bit warmer before i do. will post pics when the time comes though

Special T · « **Reply #8 on:** March 08, 2011, 08:40:24 PM »

I talked to a dock builder once in Anacortes and they used a hot wire to cut the big blocks into pieces. I wonder if instead of a saw a hot knife would make less of a mess?

h2ofowlr · « **Reply #9 on:** March 08, 2011, 08:48:38 PM »

Quote from: Special T on March 08, 2011, 08:40:24 PM

I talked to a dock builder once in Anacortes and they used a hot wire to cut the big blocks into pieces. I wonder if instead of a saw a hot knife would make less of a mess?

I am sure it would create a lot less mess. I have tracked this stuff all through the garage and house. It hides on you. I had to go with what I had. I would have chose to go with the Restle coating vs. burlap, but this type of foam is to soft to try that method. You need a 2lb or 4lb "dense" foam for that or it will crack on you.

Stilly bay · « **Reply #10 on:** March 08, 2011, 11:20:43 PM »

you will probably find that pink sheet foam a lot easier to work with. its not nearly as crumbly and takes a shape very easily.

I messed with a lot of different tools for shaping from sur-forms, micro planes or just sand paper and have found that a good old file and rasp work the best for me.

also when using burlap don't worry about getting the foam super smooth. leave lots of nooks and crannies for the mastic to sink into.

and as a final note it doesn't hurt to get some big old sewing pins or those uber long upholstery tacks and use them to hold the burlap in place while applying the mastic. when you have it the way you want it slide the pins out and dab a little mastic any holes they may leave.

hope you find some of these tips useful

Im working on a mix of pine and cedar diver blocks with a few foamers thrown in for good measure, good quality fun that keeps me off the street.

terrellwa · « **Reply #11 on:** March 09, 2011, 10:10:18 AM »

It's neat you posted this up I was looking at starting this project yesterday. Doing lots of research and pricing the pink foam and almost had my mind made up to build a few dozen of these during the offseason. Then I found I could get a great price on Full Curl decoys so decided to change directions and just buy a few dozen full curls. I may still carve out a dozen decoys just to do it, like I don't have enough other duck related things to keep me busy in the off season.

h2ofowlr · « **Reply #12 on:** March 12, 2011, 08:35:07 AM »

Some more pics.

h2ofowlr · « **Reply #13 on:** March 12, 2011, 09:18:38 AM »

The black is shinny as I just painted it. It will dry flat.

lokidog · « **Reply #14 on:** March 12, 2011, 09:30:07 AM »

Quote from: Special T on March 08, 2011, 08:40:24 PM

I talked to a dock builder once in Anacortes and they used a hot wire to cut the big blocks into pieces. I wonder if instead of a saw a hot knife would make less of a mess?

Radio-controlled airplane builders would use a hot electric wire to cut wing blocks. Not sure if they still do this.

White Tornado · « **Reply #15 on:** March 15, 2011, 03:24:52 PM »

Nice job H2O!! Have you tried them in the water yet? I am curious how handle a little chop when the wind picks up. Made a bunch of silosocks last summer and really enjoyed that even though it was a lot of work and many more hours than I had expected it to be. I never have tried making foam decoys. Looks like fun!!!

killzonedecoys · « **Reply #16 on:** March 20, 2011, 07:46:40 PM »

Here's what ive been workin on. In the final stages now before I start pouring. I hope to sell some too if i can find customers lol

h2ofowlr · « **Reply #17 on:** March 20, 2011, 10:19:58 PM »

Very interesting. Are you using an aluminum mold and pouring plastic? Just currious as there are many ways to make them as I have learned.

killzonedecoys · « **Reply #18 on:** March 21, 2011, 04:52:54 AM »

What you see I made out of clay and bond. Then making mold out of silicone. Then I pour plastic in the mold first and make sure there is enough to make the bill solid plastic then use 2 part foam

full choke · « **Reply #19 on:** March 21, 2011, 07:46:39 PM »

Nice looking mold. In the future though (if you hope to sell dekes) I would use something other than the toilet to display your wares.

killzonedecoys · « **Reply #20 on:** March 21, 2011, 08:46:01 PM »

Lol I will

just showing what I've been up to. When I'm ready to sell I will post stuff in the classified section.

h2ofowlr · « **Reply #21 on:** March 22, 2011, 01:34:54 PM »

Quote from: full choke on March 21, 2011, 07:46:39 PM

Nice looking mold. In the future though (if you hope to sell dekes) I would use something other than the toilet to display your wares. :

Some people classify divers as s**t ducks, so it may be fitting to display them on toilet stands.

h2ofowlr · « **Reply #22 on:** March 27, 2011, 09:58:20 PM »

Some additional updates.

Special T · « **Reply #23 on:** March 27, 2011, 10:01:11 PM »

That looked like a piece of TREX for the Keel...

h2ofowlr · « **Reply #24 on:** March 28, 2011, 07:11:28 AM »

Quote from: Special T on March 27, 2011, 10:01:11 PM

That looked like a piece of TREX for the Keel...

Correct. Good weight to it. I was going to use the brown like most will do, but they were clearancing the grey at $8.00 a board. Many of the foamer builders are now using the TREX decking for keels. Same deal that Blue Collar Decoys is doing.

killzonedecoys · « **Reply #25 on:** March 28, 2011, 07:38:06 AM »

I'm using the same thing too. Great weight to it and lasts way longer than wood

Dustin07 · « **Reply #26 on:** March 31, 2011, 01:55:48 PM »

Quote from: killzonedecoys on March 28, 2011, 07:38:06 AM

I'm using the same thing too. Great weight to it and lasts way longer than wood

I was thinking the same thing. talk about built to last

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Author Topic: Scoter decoy foamer build. (Read 14989 times)

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