Anybody know anything about taxidermy?
#1
08-11-13, 03:53 PM
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Anybody know anything about taxidermy?
About 12 years ago I caught a 11 lb Walleye in Canada. It cost me a fortune to get it taxidermy and mounted. This thing has been my pride and joy for years now.
My wife decided to shampoo the carpets. She says it just fell off the nail holding it to the fireplace. In all fairness it does look like the nail snapped.
Long story short, my prize fish is now loose on the board it is mounted on. It's still connected to the board in a couple of places but surely not enough to rehang it. The place that did the taxidermy has since closed so I can't take it back for a repair.
Is there anyone who knows what kind of glue they use to mount a fish??
My wife decided to shampoo the carpets. She says it just fell off the nail holding it to the fireplace. In all fairness it does look like the nail snapped.
Long story short, my prize fish is now loose on the board it is mounted on. It's still connected to the board in a couple of places but surely not enough to rehang it. The place that did the taxidermy has since closed so I can't take it back for a repair.
Is there anyone who knows what kind of glue they use to mount a fish??
#2
08-11-13, 06:10 PM
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Welcome to the forums.
Sounds like another fish story
I know absolutely nothing about taxidermy but I would carefully use Gorilla glue to refasten the fish to the board.
Sounds like another fish story
I know absolutely nothing about taxidermy but I would carefully use Gorilla glue to refasten the fish to the board.
#5
08-12-13, 04:34 AM
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Hi PJ-- Knew I shouldn't have bought her a new shampooer
I'm with ngdilg on this one. Guerrilla glue is ok, I've used it before on lots of stuff, but I don't think it's too good for this project.
This looks like either epoxy or a hot melt glue that is there.
Marksr: I called one taxidermist, he got pretty nasty on the phone, said they don't hand out trade secrets, if I wanted it fixed bring it in. Then he slammed down the phone. There were a couple others in the yellow pages I might give a shot today. Just thought I'd try here first. I don't want to sink a ton more money into this fish. I love it, but there's a limit.
I'm with ngdilg on this one. Guerrilla glue is ok, I've used it before on lots of stuff, but I don't think it's too good for this project. This looks like either epoxy or a hot melt glue that is there.
Marksr: I called one taxidermist, he got pretty nasty on the phone, said they don't hand out trade secrets, if I wanted it fixed bring it in. Then he slammed down the phone. There were a couple others in the yellow pages I might give a shot today. Just thought I'd try here first. I don't want to sink a ton more money into this fish. I love it, but there's a limit.
#6
08-12-13, 04:41 AM
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I'd go with epoxy or hot melt glue though I'm sure clear silicone would also work. The reason I tend toward epoxy and hot melt is they don't have a solvent that could affect the taxidermy. I know the solvent in the smelly silicone is corrosive to aluminum but I think the odor free silicone would be safe to use.
#7
08-12-13, 04:43 AM
I called one taxidermist, he got pretty nasty on the phone, said they don't hand out trade secrets, if I wanted it fixed bring it in
I've never understood that attitude. IMO that's reason enough to never do business with that company! Hopefully one of the other taxidermists will be more helpful.
#8
08-12-13, 06:07 AM
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I think he got bent cause I called on a weekend. He was probably right in the middle of something. You're right though, his chance of getting any future business from me (or anybody I know) is nil to none.
#9
08-12-13, 12:14 PM
From the weight you should be able to tell if it is a foam or plaster mold. I would be concerned about gluing it, as you would be gluing to the skin which is pulled over a mold. I would expect that a mounting location was built into the mold. If you can determine what the board was attached to it would at least give you a target to shoot for.
Since a lot of work is done long distance, try to find a taxidermy business online and see if they will talk to you.
Bud
Since a lot of work is done long distance, try to find a taxidermy business online and see if they will talk to you.
Bud
#10
08-12-13, 04:11 PM
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Hi Bud
I would say foam. If it were plaster I think it would have broken the actual fish, not just knocked it a little loose. It landed on it's back so no actual damage to the fish.
There is a piece of gray felt on the seam in the back, that is still stuck to the fish, the glue let loose that holds the felt to the board. I don't see anything other than the felt, nothing built into the mold. My best guess from the color of the glue is either 5 minute epoxy or hot melt glue.
I did like you said and looked on-line. Actually found a taxidermy service that answers questions, without charge. Just waiting for a reply.
I would say foam. If it were plaster I think it would have broken the actual fish, not just knocked it a little loose. It landed on it's back so no actual damage to the fish.
There is a piece of gray felt on the seam in the back, that is still stuck to the fish, the glue let loose that holds the felt to the board. I don't see anything other than the felt, nothing built into the mold. My best guess from the color of the glue is either 5 minute epoxy or hot melt glue.
I did like you said and looked on-line. Actually found a taxidermy service that answers questions, without charge. Just waiting for a reply.
