Realistic songbird feet

[Wildbirdcarver]

This is a method I've used for a little while and found it fairly easy to do. If you are interested in making your own feet, I would suggest that you take a piece of small gauge wire and bend the wire as you read through the directions.
If this is not clear I will be glad to try and answer questions.


Realistic Songbird feet
Materials, copper wire, super glue, baking soda


Use 22-18 gauge copper wire…about 15-18 inches long for each foot. This wire will be bent, twisted and later cut to size.
Starting at hind foot…horizonal…bend wire 90 degrees down.
At about ½ inch bend wire back up 180 degrees along the “down” wire and twist the two together to make the post that will go into mount.
Now bend the wire “for leg” about 45 degrees back toward the hind wire. At about 2.5 inches bring the wire back along this “leg” wire and twist the two together to make a stonger leg.
Now bend the wire from the leg at the level of the hind toe forward to make the middle toe. At about 1 inch bend the wire at 90 degrees for ½ inch (this section of wire will be removed later) and then bend the wire back toward the leg. Wrap the wire around the leg at the level of the hind toe and middle toe and then aim the wire level with the middle toe to become the inner toe.

Instead of solder use super glue and baking soda. Put a drop of glue at the ankle where the toes meet the leg and post, and dip the foot into baking soda. This will harden immediately and tie it all together. Make sure all the area is covered. May have to repeat the procedure the second time.

Now cut the toes to length, leaving enough for the nail on each toe.
Place super-glue on each toe, including nail, and dip the foot into baking soda. May have to do this 2-3 times to build up the toes. Do the same for the post and leg.

Shape the toes and leg with a diamond, or a stone, or a very fine metal burr (the baking soda/super glue will fill up the stone and diamond, but it can be cleaned with a rubber sandpaper cleaner stick). Carve in the details…scales, etc…with a diamond barrel shaped burr.

The post and the leg will have to be trimmed for length.

The nails have to be gently carved to shape and then the whole foot is painted.

This method makes a fairly realistic and strong foot.
Have courage, Dick

[Hugh-P]

Looks good Dick. That would save a lot of soldering!!

[Wildbirdcarver]

I meant "hind toe" instead of hind foot. Sorry! Also put the 90 degree bend from the hind "toe" about 1 inch from the end of the wire. I'm sure there must be other areas in the method posted that are not clear. Just point them out!

[kenweybright]

Sounds good. Thanks, Dick.
Baking powder will also work. I have used a method of gluing the toes after the bird has been attached to the base, via the tarsus. Sometimes I think I have flexibility with the toes, glued after the fact.

Good input, I like it.
Thanks again.

[Orygoner]

Don't think I've see this exact method explained before. Looks promising and I'll give it a try for sure. I'm with Ken on the soldering thing. I do it but it's a challenge. That baking soda is really a miracle "elixer". Now to go brush my teeth (baking soda and no super glue!) and hit the hay.

[Wildbirdcarver]

This method of bending a long piece of wire helps in holding the toes and leg altogether while "soldering". The super glue and baking soda (I didn't know about the powder...thanks!) can be applied to the ankle joint where everything comes together. Then the blue and yellow ribbon epoxy can be applied to the toes to get better detail. I would like to hear the experiences of those that try this method. Happy carving, Dick