[ROTTWEILER]

Can someone give me a tip on carving fish fins I seem to be having some trouble what i have done doesn't look right at least i don't like it .


rottweiler

[AlArchie]

Here's what I do...it's not anatomically correct, but gives a fair representation of the fins. Start with as clear a piece of wood as you can find. I use aspen, but basswood will work nearly as well. Aspen is a little stronger than basswood.

Outline the fin on a piece about 1/8" to 1/4" thick, making sure the grain runs in the same direction as the rays in the fin and cut it out with either a coping saw or scroll/jigsaw. On the edge of the fin draw a very lazy "S" curve, and either carve or sand this curve into the fin. This will give the fin a suggestion of movement when it is finished. When the fin is carved to the curved shape, sand it to a very smooth finish and taper the edge down to a knife edge.

For carving the rays, take a very sharp small (1/4" or less) V tool and, following the outer edges of the fin, run very shallow cuts from the base to the edge. Next make one cut down the center of the fin from base to edge. Make your next cut halfway between the center cut and the edge cut. Then make each consecutive cut halfway between the last two cuts until you have the full fin grooved and the cuts down to less than 1/32" apart. Turn the fin over and do the other side. Let the cuts go into the knife edge you sanded onthe fin to give a very fine ragged look. Maybe even cut a couple grooved extra deep to indicate a torn fin. You coud do this with a woodburner, too, but I've treid both and prefer the "V" gouge method.

This is only for the pelvic, pectoral, anal and caudal fins.

For the top, or dorsal fin, outline and cut the same as for the others, but make sure you sketch in the spiny rays, and cut cut very shallow "U" shapes between the spines. With a small "U" gouge, outline the spiny rays, and remove most of the wood between them...thin these areas down to less than 1/16". and then with a snading stick, work the spines into the pointed rod-like structures that they are. Make sure to bring them to a sharp point, and taper the areas in between to a feather edge. If there is a secondary soft ray rear section of the dorsal fin, work that up the same way as the other "soft ray" fins.

When you are done with the fins make sure to put either a wood hardner or super glue on the fins to strengthen them, as they are now reall thin and fragile.

Should have said this earlier, but leave about a quarter inch of spare wood on the bottom of the dorsal fin, and a small protrusion at the base of each of the others to insert into the body. For inserting the dorsal fin, place it on the body and draw a pencil line along the base of the fin, onto the body right along the longitudinal axis. I cut a groov about 1/4" deep on this line with an 1/8th inch rotary mill in a Dremel. cut the ends of the "insertion" portion of the base of ther fin to match the radius of the cut on the fish's body. apply the fin to the body with 5 minute set epoxy. Once it has set, blend the fin into the body and fill any gaps between fin and body with wood putty (your choice of brand) but I like the Elmers water soluble stuff.

If you are doing a natural finsh (stained or sealed) fish, you will really have to be precise on the insertion cuts or they will look like "stuck-on" fins. A close fit here, and judicious application of epoxy glue to the insertion points will make the fins look like they belong.

When painting the fins, I apply the color I want and then airbrush on a fine mist of buttermilk or bass belly white between the dark spines and on the tapered edges of the other fins. ?This gives a translucent appearance to the fins, but has to be done very carefully to avoid it being overdone and just looking white.

Now, ain'tcha glad ya asked? heheheh.

I'll see if I can find a few pics. OK, here's the pics....and sorry, I ain't an author, but thought I might be able to help,here.

Al

[ROTTWEILER]

Sounds like alot of work but will give it a try thank you .This is my first fish it is for my grandson so thanks again.

[DiamondWillow]

Al has given you some very good advice on carving fins. Might sound like a lot of work but he has given advice on making a very nice fin not just some clunker stuck in the fish. Good Luck with your fish, they are fun.

I did notice Al that the pictures you attached or attempted to attach did not come through. Would love to see them. It says something about pictures pending.

Gene

[AlArchie]

Gene, I don't know why the images didn't get posted, but if you click on the attachment notices, the pictures will come up. Either a fluke (hehehe) with my computer program or the website.

Al

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

won't open for me either Al? and the attachment doesn't do anything?

[carver6]

Computer just sits there like "tar baby" when you try to bring them up.
Garon

[AlArchie]

OK, think I fixed it.....gota upload one at a time. Oh, well........

Al

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

those are terrific carvings Al! Not sure why but the pictures keep jumping around on me? when I first looked at your post, there were 4 pics, I clicked on one and when I came back there were two and from then on, I could only click on two? been having probs with my computer, probably zonealarm or mozilla! anywat great fish!

[DiamondWillow]

Al,


Pictures come up just fine now and they look wonderful. Good work

Gene