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Community => Taxidermy & Scoring => Topic started by: Coastal_native on November 27, 2010, 08:34:54 PM

Title: Amateur Antler Mounts
Post by: Coastal_native on November 27, 2010, 08:34:54 PM: I've been trying my hand at antler mounts...just shooting from the hip mostly. Started by screwing the skull plate to a piece 1 inch wood that was cut to a desired shape. I used some spray foam insulation in an aerosol can to build up the base (with a little cardboard mold around the base wood to keep the foam from flowing all over the place). Once the foam dried I trimmed and sanded it smooth to a perfect shape (really easy to do). I added a thin layer of badding on top of the foam to hide any imperfections when the fabric was pulled tight. Once the fabric was on I screwed through the back of the decorative plaque into my base wood to secure it all together. Finished it off with a little trim that was just strips of fabric braided together and glued on.

I tried a few different types of fake leather fabrics just to experiment...would have liked to try real leather. All in all it probably cost me about $30 in materials for the best one (including a $25.00 custom walnut plaque I ordered online). Pretty fun...hardest part was trying to get the rack at the right angle before screwing it down.
Title: Re: Amateur Antler Mounts
Post by: carpsniperg2 on November 27, 2010, 08:42:49 PM: they look pretty sweet! i like the darker wood myself. But thats just my taste :twocents:
Title: Re: Amateur Antler Mounts
Post by: markts on December 02, 2010, 12:19:15 PM: Nice-it feels good when one creates their own look :)
Title: Re: Amateur Antler Mounts
Post by: dirty24d on December 02, 2010, 12:31:21 PM: Very Nice i too like the darker wood , it makes it more rustic / natural. Good Job!
Title: Re: Amateur Antler Mounts
Post by: Special T on December 02, 2010, 12:39:59 PM: Cool setup...
Title: Re: Amateur Antler Mounts
Post by: agchawk on December 02, 2010, 12:42:36 PM: Very nice!!!!!!! I think you've done a great job!
Title: Re: Amateur Antler Mounts
Post by: Coastal_native on December 02, 2010, 02:39:54 PM: Thanks for the feedback,

The two lighter plaques were made of poplar. I thought I could buy cheep light wood and stain it dark, unfortunately that's exactly what the finished product looked like...needless to say It did not turn out as good as I would've liked. In the future I'll just use dark wood...or cedar burrels, I like that look too.

Here's a pic of a yellow cedar burrel I cut, I had to saw one end off square in the woods...when I got home I thought...hmmm, that could look like an arrow head, so I chipped away on it. I think it'll look good with some antlers on it.
Title: Re: Amateur Antler Mounts
Post by: Widgeondeke on December 02, 2010, 02:59:28 PM: I'd hang them in my place. Looks good. Like the arrowhead look
Title: Re: Amateur Antler Mounts
Post by: dirty24d on December 04, 2010, 02:20:05 PM: You got skills bro!!!
Title: Re: Amateur Antler Mounts
Post by: PacificNWhunter on December 05, 2010, 04:29:34 PM: They look great!
Title: Re: Amateur Antler Mounts
Post by: elkslare on December 07, 2010, 01:49:41 PM: Very nice. I like the leather and the exotic woods. :tup:
Title: Re: Amateur Antler Mounts
Post by: inkfish86 on December 14, 2010, 12:38:37 PM: inspiring!
:drool:
Title: Re: Amateur Antler Mounts
Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 17, 2010, 10:46:50 AM: That looks awesome! Nice work man!! I am working on one at home right now. I am trying to tan a patch of the curly hair that normally sits right there on their head to wrap around the skull before attaching it to a plaque. I will post some pics once I am done. Did you spray anything on the antlers to give it that nice wet look or is that just the natural shine?
Thanks
Jbeau
Title: Re: Amateur Antler Mounts
Post by: Dan-o on December 17, 2010, 11:13:32 AM: Cool. I do my own as well...... part of the fun and part of making the memory last.

But I ave to admit that I usually get impatient and they don't end up looking quite proessional. I really like how yours turned out.
Title: Re: Amateur Antler Mounts
Post by: wsucowboy on December 17, 2010, 04:40:05 PM: they look very good. I also like the arrow head look.
Title: Re: Amateur Antler Mounts
Post by: ser300wsm on December 17, 2010, 05:58:46 PM: WOW, i also like the dark wood look. The a arrow head look is awesome. Great job !!!! Hears to you... :brew: