Decoy of the Month... April '14

[Neighbor_guy]

First a thanks to all who watched and participated in the Decoy of the Month threads last fall. With any luck we will have a good time with it again this year.

The challenge for April is a hold over from last fall:

Create what I refer to as "A Classic MN Antique Shop Decoy"

If you have been through an antique shop you have seen this style of decoy. If you have ever been through your grandfather or great-grandfathers decoy box you have likely seen it. There are also several decoy carvers who are currently carving who do this style as well. Its a fairly generic minnow shape. Most often having tin fins and tail. And usually having 2 or 3 colors.

Here are some examples from my collection:

This one has a wood tail...

This one is not painted other than the red gill lines, but it is wood burned...

And these two are modern examples of what I am referring to. They were both carved by Brad Lange

The first from Goose's collection...

and one from mine...

[Neighbor_guy]

Started thinking about my antique shop decoy today and came up with an idea. Now just to see how it turns out.

We had some scrap wood in the corner at work so I cut off a chunk...

Took it home and marked out the knots to cut them out...

Ended up with 4 pieces like this...

and Abby set two aside for this months challenge...

[Neighbor_guy]

Chose not to use any templates on these ones, so we drew out our shapes...

and got them all cut out...

Goose went with the band saw method...

And I am going to do this one on the cheap to show you don't need the full set up if you don't want it. So I used a $4.88 coping saw...

So this is where we ended up last night. More to follow as we get further along in the process.

[mwal]

What kind of wood are you guys using?

Nice to see you have a kid involved.

Mwal

[MJ1657]

Great way to show what youre up to NG.

[Neighbor_guy]

What kind of wood are you guys using?

Nice to see you have a kid involved.

Mwal

The best kind. Free

I took if from the scrap pile at work. I believe it to be cedar or a very low quality pine. It has a lot of knots to work around and the grain is fairly open. Rough cut in one side smooth on the other. 1x2 furring strips. Actual dimension 5/8 x 1 5/8 homer depot special

[bowhunt]

So when is Goose going to start taking decoy orders? You know the fish are going to like her decoy's better

[Neighbor_guy]

Haha!!! Dorkfish is already trying to work out a trade.

And she knows how to work a crowd. The kid could sell ice to a snowman.

[Dorkfish]

Well hopefully I can get the lead flowing on that decoy so I have something to give to you guys. Freaking snow is killing me can't wait to try out some new designs and different fish

[Neighbor_guy]

So the next step for me is marking a center line, especially with a kid working...

should look like so...

Make sure you use a pencil as ink may come back to haunt you later.

[Neighbor_guy]

The next step is up to you. The most available method is to just start in with your pocket knife. I like to use the replaceable razor blade type knife when I do knife work. You could also use a dremel tool or even a drum or belt sander. I have used both of those methods in the past, but have changed to a rattail rasp for all of my rough shaping. I have more control than with the dremel tool and no more cuts. And by using the rasp over the knife I don't have to watch over Abby as close and don't have to explain the nicks and cuts to the ex.

I told her that I would leave these two alone until she came back from her moms. And since the pony express finally got here from Omaha with my rattle chambers I can putz with some other stuff for the weekend.

[Neighbor_guy]

well staying true to my word I didn't do anything to these decoys without Abby. She finished up her homework today and asked if she could work on them so we did. The result is the final rough shaping with the rasp, smoothing with the files, and sanding was completed today.

time to think about fins...

[Neighbor_guy]

We did fin cut out, glue up, and seal coat last night. Lead and Bondo is next.

We are officially half way through this months challenge. For those who are working on decoys I hope they are progressing nicely. For those who are following along keep checking in, we should be swing finished decoys soon.

[Dorkfish]

The one on the right is one I found a couple years ago in my grandpas old spear house

[Neighbor_guy]

Well done Dorkfish!!!

Goose put clear coat in her decoy this morning, so depending on work we will have ours posted in the next day or so.

[MJ1657]

Good looking stuff guys.

[Neighbor_guy]

The April Decoy of the Month submission from the Goose

[Neighbor_guy]

And my Idea of a classic antique shop decoy.

[Neighbor_guy]

Anyone else got a decoy in the works this month?

Only a few more days left...

Pulling a name on Wednesday....

[jasonmichalski]

I've have a few in primer now that I think fit this months decoy.

[Neighbor_guy]

Jason, I look forward to seeing what you have when you finish it up!

[Neighbor_guy]

Thank you for those who participated and followed along with this months decoy challenge. The goal with these challenges is to show what we all can do but also to encourage participation. As a result and to encourage participation if you posted on this months thread you got your handle tossed in the hat... Only five names in the hat this month, 1/5 is good odds...

and the goose pulled a winner...

Dorkfish!!! you are the random winner of the decoy of the month. The red/white antique store decoy that I made this month will be on its way to your collection. Look for a PM to arrange for delivery of said decoy. I hope you enjoy it, even if it has a metal tail.

[jasonmichalski]

Nice!