Good ways to attach (flying) wings???

[JimPletcher]

I'm making a few life-size flying crows with minimum detail (more like decoys). One will be flaping, one landing, and one veering to harrass something.
Most of the of the details have been worked out with a prototype.

EXCEPT, I need serious help with wing attachment. My mortise-and-tenon approach was more trouble than it was worth. The joint is almost seamless, but it was extremely difficult.

Anyone have any experience with this, or any good suggestions?

[markken5889]

Hi Jim,

I've never carved one with wings outstretched, but from what I've read, the approach you're using is the way to go. I also read about one carver in Maine (I forget his name right now - there's a museum up in Bar Harbor area) who used aluminum for the wings when outstretched.

Mark

[Doug Ridley]

I use a brass 1/8" pin in the mortise and tenon and backfill with 2 part plumbers putty or bondo.
Doug

[JimPletcher]

Thanks, Mark and Doug, for the replies.

Maybe I just need to refine (or loosen) my tenon approach.

I've been trying to make a furniture-type joint, without putty or bondo.
The main problem with this is that crows are not shaped like any furniture I've ever biult, and the junction gets pretty complex.

Doug, do you have any suggestions for a good fit?
P.S.
Like your Teal and Eagles!

[Thor]

I would like to see pictures if you can.
The project sounds very interesting. I'm sorry, I have not suggestions to help, but would love to see what you're up to.

[JimPletcher]

When I get something worth showing, I'll be glad to post it.
But right now, the prototype (Old Bondo Butt) is made from scraps (cedar head, douglas fir body, pine shelving wings and tail - all covered with flat black Rustoleum to hide the Bondo reshaping.
Fortunately, this approach lets me refine the prototype - even after painting.
There's still some minor reshaping to be done, while I look for wood for the finalists (thinking straight-grain cedar).

[markken5889]

Jim,

You may do better with basswood or butternut, or if you're power-carving, tupelo. (remember to wear a mask if you're power-carving that cedar!)

Mark

[JimPletcher]

I understand your recommendations, and am a little afraid of cedar dust, but was considering the possiblity of leaving the birds outside for a season or two.

Any wood recommendations would be appreciated. Since I'm not going for a lot of detail, a little grain can be tolerated.

[Doug Ridley]

Make the tenon fit the mortise loosely- Put a 1/8" brass rod or a 1/8" dowel in the tenon- fit together loosely. Remove and put some 2 part plumbers putty ( Quickwood) in and re-insert the tenon with the dowel. Hold in position about 5 min. Grind or sand off squeezeout, texture and paint. Voila!!
Hope this helps.
Doug

[JimPletcher]

Thanks for the additional information Doug, but you're talking to a furniture maker here.

I can't quite picture the use of a rod.
Where does the rod go, and what is its primary function? Is it just for more accurate alignment of the loose tenon?

With a tenon 1/2" thick and 3/4" x 1-1/2" where does the rod go?