On the Bench in 2023

[sdkidaho]

Looking forward to seeing all the talent again this year!

There was a lot of great work last year!

Link to last years post:

On the Bench in 2022

Looking forward to what you guys share! There was a lot of great work last year! Link to last years post: https://www.refugeforums.com/threads/on-the-bench-in-2021.1068863/page-11#post-11886719

www.refugeforums.com

 

[Woodduck31]

This is what is on my bench today. I'm making a goldeneye bill to mold for a supper duper magnum decoy. I guess we will find out how effective big decoys are on big water where ducks need to see them at long distances. I have the bill sitting beside the goldeneye bill that I made for my regular goldeneye decoys which are still a bit oversized. The plan is for a 30 inch decoy and my regular goldeneye decoys are 15 inches, so everything is doubled of course.

 

[skinny_water]

I just finished up my first rig of decoys. 5 Buffleheads. Pink foam, cedar bottom board, walnut restle coat, and oak keels. Took them out last Friday for their maiden voyage. Managed to trick a few buffs with them, but returned with this one drake. Hard to describe the satisfaction that you get when gunning over your own decoys.

The Krylon Colormaxx flat crystal clear finish coat that I used came out a bit too glossy for my liking. Any recommendations?

P.S. the 6th bufflehead on the oyster shell is one my buddy made.

 

[kansasgoose]

Im not sure I can make this better, but before it goes to paint, is there anything that could be made better here? All opinions welcome, good, bad, and the ugly.

 

[reddogge]

I just finished up my first rig of decoys. 5 Buffleheads. Pink foam, cedar bottom board, walnut restle coat, and oak keels. Took them out last Friday for their maiden voyage. Managed to trick a few buffs with them, but returned with this one drake. Hard to describe the satisfaction that you get when gunning over your own decoys.

The Krylon Colormaxx flat crystal clear finish coat that I used came out a bit too glossy for my liking. Any recommendations?

P.S. the 6th bufflehead on the oyster shell is one my buddy made.
View attachment 371467 View attachment 371468 View attachment 371469 View attachment 371472

They will dull with use but I've taken some rottenstone and put it on a rag with a little linseed oil and rubbed them down. They will dry dull. I use Modern Master dull varnish on mine.

 

[Woodduck31]

I made some more progress on the giant ge. It's definitely a "big" project. I still have some shaping to do, according to scale the back is still 1/2 inch too high, but I should have it ready for burlap in a few more hours. The goldeneye hen decoy on the back is a little bigger than life-size. The bill mold turned out great, but takes a lot of onyx to pour. My bill molds generally don't need a mother mold, but I felt like with the added weight of onyx it might want to balloon. I have my 25mm eyes painted and ready to go.

 

[TexasT-ler]

First decoy of 2023. Bluewing teal hen. Off to a good start.

 

[reddogge]

Bufflehead vs 70 HP Yamaha propeller. My friend did a number on it yesterday. It can be fixed but I don't know whether to cut the head off and start over or try to rebuild the bill. Whatcha think?

 

[reddogge]

Not a duck but a laughing gull. We have so many on the beach in DE that I had to do one. One dropped it's feather on the beach and I saved it and used it to color match the back. Solid cedar and oils.

 

[All Day]

Bufflehead vs 70 HP Yamaha propeller. My friend did a number on it yesterday. It can be fixed but I don't know whether to cut the head off and start over or try to rebuild the bill. Whatcha think? View attachment 372410

You could use epoxy sculpt for the bill.