The Dorkfish Challenge build along...

[Neighbor_guy]

Let's learn together. I got called out on the new decoys thread and have never had a successful wooden tail. Everything I have done has been metal tail fins so this is way out of my comfort zone. I figured best not to hijack the other thread and start a new one so everyone can follow along.

Here is the start...

I salvaged some lumber from a construction project at work. It smells like birch and has that hard maple/birch behavior when cut. My band saw did not like it, so only a couple cuts today.

uh oh.... this could be trouble, with any luck they don't run too deep...

Just a couple cuts before my goose's lights out time and the power tools had to be shut off for the night...

More to follow...

[Dorkfish]

Sounds good neighbor sometimes it's easier to start with the side and than the top

[Dorkfish]

Well that's about enough for today got the gill plates in and even added some lips for dads amusement lol

[Gordie]

Great Thread guys keep up with this .

[Dorkfish]

Will do once I get back from school/work

[Dorkfish]

One down lots more to do

[Neighbor_guy]

Well, a new day, lets see what we can do...

first the band saw. Time to get it all cut out...

This is a much harder wood than I am used to using. I don't think I will be using this blade again. Smoking, crying, and running at random. I hate it when that starts to happen.

[Dorkfish]

Hahaha been there done that after cuttin metal tubing lol

[Neighbor_guy]

The next step is fairly easy. I like to mark a center line on the decoy. On this one I also had to decide how much turn and curve to put into that wooden tail. (grrr!!! who's idea was that??? )

[Dorkfish]

MINE!!!!!!

[Neighbor_guy]

Time for the dremmel and a trip to the front porch.

I like to get the rough shaping and the majority of the wood removed with the dremmel. Its quicker than the knife and with maple/birch/poplar its almost a must. I still hand carve a lot of the ones I do with white cedar, but this time I chose to stick with mechanical advantage.

The wood felt good in my hands and took shape nicely. I am not sure if I am going to keep it as fat as it is now. It may slim down by the time I am done. And I can already visualize the locations of the fins. The crack I was worried about did run into the fin area, so I had to layout the original pattern again after last night, but I think I managed to pull off the cuts.

[Neighbor_guy]

Tomorrow is time for the files.

That is my favorite step in all of the carving. For me it all comes down to that step. Everything is redefined and finalized with a file in my hand. Because of this I spend a lot of time there. Not sure if I will get it all ready for photos tomorrow, but I will keep you all updated.

[Dorkfish]

So now it's time to burn the fin placements in and than cut out the fins and etc. and than drill the holes for the lead to be inserted

[Neighbor_guy]

I had a chance to put some files to it today. I think it turned out fairly decent. I was able to put some twist in it and some nice detail in the tail fin. With any luck it will swim nice.

Next time I mess around with it I will lay out the gills and mouth. As well as the fin locations

I will also begin on the swim fins and with any luck get them cut out as well.

[Dorkfish]

Looks good

[Dorkfish]

Here it is so far

[jasonmichalski]

nice work guys

[Dorkfish]

Almost done now its time for a clear coat tomorrow and than it will be all done

[mrklean]

looking good

[merkman]

The dorkfishes are not looking too dorky...

Can you guys epoxy in some buck teeth or sumtin'

.

[Neighbor_guy]

Looks good.

I haven't had much time to work on anything this week. I did get the fin locations layed out, but did not transfer the pics off my camera.

With any luck I will get fins cut and layed in tonight.

There should be several updates to the progress in the next couple days. Watch for step by step posts to follow.

[Dorkfish]

That's high class dorkfish decoys. The people making the buck teeth are out busy grouse hunting at this time

[Neighbor_guy]

The picks don't show the markings very well, but I layed out the fin locations as well as gill and mouth details in pencil.

[Neighbor_guy]

Next step is to lay out the fins. In this case back, belly, and front and back swim fins.

I use brushed aluminum sheet stock for the fins and cut them out with regular tin snips. Once cut out I match up the matching fins, clamp them together, and file the edges to create a perfectly matched set.

(glad I wore clean socks today)...

[Dorkfish]

I can see em looks great I didn't think it was that small at first