Recent content by Steve Froelich

I have had the same bottle of dryer for 10 years and 90% of it remains. But to start,,,Copal is a glossy drier. From a brand description "When added to oil colors, Copal Painting Medium improves flow, accelerates drying, and imparts hardness and a high gloss to the dry paint film." It is...

GEICO would not insure me when I was 19 years old because I was a junior enlisted member of the military. They were the Government Employees Insurance Company back then. I asked them to clarify thier position as I had never had a ticket or accident to that point and I did not think rank should...

Did you enjoy the process? If I am chillin', watching some football or fishing shows, it may all be knives over the top of a trash can for a few hours, then outside to sand for a bit. Sure it takes longer, but I am not in a hurry. If I am on task and want to get done, a foredom and microgrinder...

Jode, It would appear you have mixed styles. I count 3. All nice, but I like the sleepers in form and color.

Texturing and ballast

Have been in that area with the good graces of Jason on my first can. Great guys those Alamamian's.

Keith Mueller provided a mini-demo on this site. Click on the hyperlink and you will see both a shoveler, and a small paint demo. http://duckboats.net/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=118038;search_string=shoveler;#118038

Thanks Tom. I am still learning and trying to find a groove. I really enjoy Connecticut style decoys with a modern uptake. Mr. Mueller is certainly an inspiration.

Thanks Vince. I will look for it. I have 3 mallard bodies that appear to have chicken pox.

In truth, nearly any wood sealer/primer works. I have used wax free shellac, hardwood floor sealer, Val-Oil, Exterior Oil-based (Alkyd)Primer, Teekays and wood hardener. I even tried two part polyurethane once. (spearing decoy carvers use it) There are pros and cons, but the only failure has...

Reminds me of the time I swore I could make Merganser taste good, by brining in apple cider and soy and then cold smoking. My smoker smelled like a full minnow bucket left in the sun for 2 days and then smoked. Yuk

Pat. I have that book as well. I remember that quote well. I bring it up when I encounter decoy makers who do not care for decoy makers who put a little extra care in the making of thier decoys. Thanks.

I can sum up my response as "Ditto" Only it was Toughskin Huskys for me. My mom would not wait for the knees to wear out. She would iron on the extra knee patches right off the bat. Don't try and work the logic. I quit on the 501s when I noticed the belt loops ripping out and the corners of...

Hey Jeff, I live a little south of you on Singer Island (Riviera Beach). Been here for about a year or so. Completely out of my element duck hunting in Florida being away from Minnesota. When we wade into a pond, there are not dinosaurs lurking to eat you. I can help a little bit on...

True enough. Took the inspiration from a picture you posted on the site. I have kept that photo on my computer knowing I wanted to carve it someday.