Making birds feet

[icarve2003]

How many people make their own birds feet?

I've always made my own. My grandfather showed me how to do it and I've always just made them rather than buying them.

The last competition I entered, I noticed that everyone else in my class (novice) had pewter feet.

If you do make them, how do you do it?? ???

Hi,How do you make your birds feet?

[icarve2003]

I use copper electrical wire. I strip off the insulation and cut it into small pieces. I use one piece for the leg and it extends beyond the bottom of the foot so I can stick it into a hole drilled into a piece of wood to hold it. I bend a second piece into a 'V' and use it as the outer toes and then a third piece with a bit of a bend is the middle and rear toes. (I hope you can visualize this.)

I solder them together and then using the dremel and a file, I sharpen the tips to make the claws.

Now, I am not completley satisfied with the way I cover the wire. I've been using that rubber stuff that you dip your tool handles in :-/ I apply enough coats to build it up. I have recently seen it done with a ribbon epoxy which allows you to add more detail.

Then I test them on the bird and the branch I'm mounting it on and make any necessary adjustments.

Chris.

I have a 8 page pamphlet published by The Breakthrough Wildlife Art ,HOWTO Library,titled Bob Guge:Constructing Bird Feet.Idon't know if this is still avaliable? The publishing date is 1985.It is very informative about constructing bird feet.I don't know if this publiher is the same as the supplier of taxidermy supplies?The address for their magazine is BREAKTHROUGH,P.O. Box 1330,Loganville,GA 30249.They give an 800 number 1-800-334-8012 I don't know how current that is.

[icarve2003]

Thanks for that info. Dan. I checked the Breakthrough website and they seem to have a lot of good books. I will try getting in touch with them. I wouldn't mind getting a copy of that.

Chris