Clear draggonfly wings

[kahunakalai]

I have carved a flycatcher (Greater Kiskadee) that we find here in South Texas. I have carved a dragon fly as a point of interest on the habitat. Here is my question: How do I make the wings so that they are transparent, but sturdy enough to withstand handling to and from competitions. I made sturdy wings from tissue paper (Ed Walecki method from his DVD on making fins), however, they are not transparent?

[AlArchie]

Years ago, (never mind how MANY years ago) I carved a dragonfly neckerchief slide for a friend. I use clear celluloid (might be called acetate now) for the wings and etched the "veins" in with a sharp awl. Then I flowed on some permanent India ink into the veins and rubbed the surronding areas off before the ink had a chance to dry. It worked out really well. You can get those clear plastic sheets at office supply stores. Or if notheing else, stop down to your local cop shop and beg a few fingerprint lifters. Same stuff, and just the right size.

I may even have a few of those lifters left over in my old fingerprint kit, if I can remember where I put it. If you can't find any drop me a PM with your address and I'll drop a few in the US mail.

Al

[kahunakalai]

Thanks for the valuable advice. I will try your suggestion today. I also received one from Bob Carney at the bird carvers forum that sounds good. Let me share it with those of you that will be carving draggon flies and other clear winged insects.
"I have made several dragon flies.I draw the wings (individually) on white paper.(The exact size you want them to be when finished)Draw in all the veins etc. with a black fine tip pen.Put this sheet in a copy machine and copy it on to Copier Transparencie Vinyl.Cut them out with sharp scissors,press the lines (or veins) into them with a stylus and glue them in place.Let me know how you make out.
Bob Carney"

[kahunakalai]

I am new to this forum and posted my reply twice, sorry about that.
Phil

[BobD]

It's an easy fix...so no apology is necessary!

Welcome aboard!

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[kahunakalai]

Here is the result of the advice I received from the forums.
Before

After

[Thomp]

outstanding difference,

how was the difference accomplished as well as how are the wings attached
how big is the thing?

we all wanna know?

[kahunakalai]

I drew the wings with black ink using a draggonfly as reference. I then copied the drawing on overhead transparency film, cut it out and used super glue to glue it in a slot that I carved on the hardwood body of the insect. The wings tip to tip is about 2.2 inches long.

[Thomp]

I once made some fly's and bumble bees and big skeeters for a mobile. to hang on the porch, i used pop bottle plastic for wings, and spun a dowel in a drill to make the body's, but they didn't look as real as yours. thanks for sharing,

[AlArchie]

Nice work, Phil! Guess modern technology has caught up and gone past me! I'll have to give that copier idea a try. Just got back from a Stenman relief class and they have begun using the acetate sheet and ink jet printer for direct copy of patterns to wood.

Some of the overhead transparency film has a "tooth" on one side and the ink won't transfer from that.

They wipe the remaining ink off with a rag and some isopropyl alcohol, and the seet is ready to use for another pattern. Works slicker'n snot on a doorknob!

They use the plain acetate sheets, not those made for printer use. The pattern is printed in mirror image, then placed ink-side down on the wood and rubbed withthe edge of a credit card. The paterns transfer completely and quickly...no more tedious tracing with carbon paper and pencil.

Al