What's on your workbench ? MARCH

Steve Sanford

Well-known member
Good morning, All~


I drove down to Long Island yesterday - to prepare for the LIDCA Show in Hauppauge tomorrow. I left 4 inches of new snow and single digits with a chock-full Forester and found a clear-skied Winter day and dry ground here in Suffolk County. Craig Kessler and I discharged numerous last-minute tasks for the Show, re-installed the stern seat in his CASSIOPEIA - and helped a grad student band over 80 Broadbill on Great South Bay. Actually, they were mostly Lessers - so I suppose I should call them Bluebill.... We worked 'til well after dark and were rewarded with a glimpse of a Short-eared Owl's moth-like flight about 20 yards behind us. Photos (trapping) to follow in a separate post when I have time.



As for my "work bench" - I spent most of February preparing exhibits for tomorrow's Show. But, I did find the time to re-paint these two balsa Wildfowlers for a friend. I had first re-painted them in the early 1980s - and the pair is now destined to end their days rigged on a shelf.....


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This pair came from The Bench of George Williams Himself - many years ago. They had seen a fair bit of service and called out for some fresh plumage. So, here is what G. Williams Mallids look like with a Sanford paint job (apologies to George!):


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George: I did not re-paint the bottoms - and so your signature remains intact. I'd like to photograph both pairs on Great South Bay if I can find the time before delivering them tomorrow.



All the best,


SJS

 
Steve, did you seal those balsa blocks prior repainting, or were they sealed? Curious what Wildfowler used on balsa.
 
Drake came out pretty darn close., and you certainly showed your flair on the hen. Curious, what is the date on the bottom? I ask because I would like to know how long the paint held up. Hopefully, they had plenty of service, and did their job well. YA DONE GOOD, fella!!!
Have a blast this weekend. Still mucking about a bit in the dungeon, getting some stuff put together for Runamuck's annual demo in Ohio next weekend.
Hey, don't forget to activate your camera at the ibew hall and get some shots of the Brant!!
 
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[size 4] Pintail deadmount now complete (...or at least work has been finally stopped at an interesting place [cool]).
Spatter painted full-sized drake; remarqued handmade powder horn; shooters' bag made from an old leather jacket rescued from the Goodwill bin; and working hand turned pintail whistle.
Everything mounted on an antique mirror stand that was restored & refinished.

Chuck, I expect to be given full "master seamstress" status for my work on whipping up that leather "possibles" bag. [laugh]



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Now you need a muzzle loader side by side, to hang on hooks across the bottom. Didn't you have one as a kid? (and no, I don't have one to donate [cool] )
 
You likely could get a non-functioning hammer gun "high patina" SXS relatively cheap to mount across the base. per Dave's suggestion.

I wish Gaynor "Bud" Nash was still alive, I could likely track one down through him. His dad had a couple hundred gun percussion arms collection with a lot of it circa 1850-1870s pieces. "Bud' used to hunt rabbits and winter season grouse out in the grape vineyards and woodlots west of Kalamazoo every weekend-actually, about two blocks from where my niece and her family now live- with us, shooting a Damascus barreled side-by-side and Italian shotshells.
 
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Frank,

Nice lines on those Turkeys. Just curious, at what point do you go from the "flat bottom" rough carving to the full body profile? It appears you added more material? Wouldn't mind seeing some photos of the steps involved, if you have some handy.
 
Frank,
Thanks, What wall thickness (generally speaking, obviously varies quite a bit) are you shooting for? What's average weight? Does one need a youngster along as a Sherpa? [;)] By the time I gear up with a Double Bull enclosed blind, calls, shells (only need one, right), chair, gun and four to six foam decoys, I'm not sure I can add a bird to my load on the way out.
 
Frank, very nice work!! Did you develop the pattern yourself, or pull dimensions off of a commercially molded bird? There are iridescent powders available in acrylic...
 
[size 4]Thanks, Paul. You carve a pretty mean pintail yourself. Hope you are doing well.

Frank, Those turkeys are some of the best I've ever seen! You've really nailed it.
 
Rick,
Thanks....
I had a roadkilled specimen and lots of photos. I recently have been enjoying the contrast of a bit of realism with the carving of the heads... that said they are in reality to thin, and so the head and neck are over sized.i like combining that with a looser paint job, so I?ll stay away from the powders.
Bob, the decoy once glued and painted is about 4 lbs. and the wall thickness aside from the rump and head areas is close to 3/8?.
 

Man O Live March is off and running.

Lots of very good work right outta the gate. Very impressive indeed.

Tough acts to follow...


After being unable to carve for many months I'm now getting back at it. Feels good to have knives, and rasps back in my hands.

Began carving this feeding drake Wood Duck decoy last August, to join others in my rig.

Solid Sugar Pine, cedar dowel from head into breast for strength, nail in the bill to prevent breakage.

The decoy weighs 14.8 oz. Still have to clean up the eyes, and seal the decoy.

Will paint when it's companions down in the shop are done.



View attachment feeding wood duck 2019 left side.jpgView attachment feeding wood duck 2019 right side.jpgView attachment feeding wood duck 2019 front.jpg
 
Vince,

That is quite the decoy, can't wait to see it all dressed up with paint. Do you stick that in dirt to use or attach it in some manner to a downed log or tree?
 
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