Herter's Model 63 Diver Rehab

Steve Sanford

Well-known member
Good morning, All~


I am in the thick of completing two duckboats right now - yet another South Bay and a Duck Wrangler (a first for me). In the "interstitial time", I am also rehabbing a few gunning decoys. I have a handful of Bean's Pintails and Mallards almost done - but have been repairing 4 little Herter's Model 63 divers - which came to me as pairs of Cans and Bluebills. The Cans were the earlier flat-bottom birds (my favorites) and the Bills had the extruded keels with the all-to-common rust out of the cast iron ballast. My job was to get them once again ready-to-hunt - and change the Bluebills into Whistlers.



Collin Workman - Cans and Bluebills.JPG



The heads were sanded - both on the table sander for the heavy "sagittal ridges" and by hand with 120-grit paper.


Model 63 Cans and Bluebills - heads sanded with 120 grit.JPG



The heads then got coated with epoxy + fine sawdust (which I collect from my band saw).


Model 63 Bluebill and Can Heads - epoxy + fine sawdust.JPG



I try to avoid the coating on the bills and eyes.


Model 63 Can Head - closeup showing no coating on bill or eye.JPG



Next step is priming with flat oils - mostly different flavors of Rustoleum - in approximations of the final hues.


Model 63 Can and Whistler Hewads - oil primers.JPG



Here they are in final paint - subject to touch-ups after joining up with their respective bodies. Topcoats are Behr latex and the bills and eyes get Satin Spar Varnish.



Herter's Model 63 -Canvasback pair - Heads  topcoated.JPG



The Bluebill heads make a passable Whistler - 'though I am always tempted to trim those bills down a bit.....


Herters Model 63 Whistler Pair - heads topcoated.JPG



The Canvasback bodies were sound. They got epoxy + fine sawdust on the bottoms...


Model 63 Diver Body - epoxy + fine sawdust on bottom.JPG



...and epoxy + ground walnut shells - from Homer Decoys - on their topsides.


Model 63 Diver body - epoxy + walnut shells.JPG



Continued.....


SJS


 
Part 2


The newer bodies needed more attention.


Model 63 Diver Body - exposed keel.JPG



I first sanded the keels flat on my table sander.


Model 63 Diver Body - sanded keel line.JPG



I then filled the crevices and crevasses with thickened epoxy.

Model 63 Diver Body - keel filled w thickened epoxy.JPG

I cut some light (6-ounce) cloth to harden the keel.


Model 63 Diver Body 0 6-oz cloth for keel.JPG



I saturated the cloth with straight resin when the thickened epoxy was still "live".


Model 63 Diver Body - cloth over filler.JPG



After curing and a light sanding, the whole bottom got the epoxy + fine sawdust recipe.


Model 63 Diver body - bottom coated epoxy + sawdust.JPG



I just coated the topsides with epoxy + ground walnut shells. The Cans - after their flat oil primer coats - are getting thir finish psaint now.


Stay tuned!


SJS


 
Good morning, All~


Closer to the finish line. All need heads to be permanently attached. Whistlers have just been primed - but Cans are done.


Herters Model 63 - Whistlers and Cans - Whistlers in prime A.JPG



All the best,


SJS

 
Steve

You have it down to a science. For those that wonder if epoxy will melt foam you just gave them their answer. Nice work as always.

Eric
 
All~


Here they are - ready to migrate back to South Jersey:


Collin Workman - Herters Model 63 Whistler and Canvasback pairs - done but for fastening A.JPG





Actually, I fussed a bit with this Hen since her "hearth portrait"....


Herters Model 63 Whistler Hen.JPG



Her spouse:


Model 63 Whistler Drake.JPG





The earlier flat-bottom 63s - Mister Canvasback:


Model 63 Canvasback Drake b.JPG



His loyal wife:


Model 63 Canvasback Hen.JPG



Happy Thanksgiving!


SJS



 
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