pine branch

[errol]

I'm planning on making a pine branch for some of the habitah on a cardinal I am doing. has anyone done a pine branch or have any suggestions? The pine needles is what I am most interested for the actual branch I will use brass tubing. But I was wondering about the needles of what to use. I thought about broom straw. any suggestions?
thanks
Errol

[markken5889]

Hi Errol,

Good to see you posting again! I read an article a couple years back in Wildfowl Carving magazine about how a guy used bristled from a stiff wire brush (one of the big kind) and welded them onto brass tubing for the pine needles. Never tried it myself but it looks interesting.

I'd like to see how you make out with it, if you'd share the pictures!

Mark

[Tom-H]

I did receive a carved porcupine, where the "pokey things" were made of heavy monfiliment fishing line. Little holes had be drilled into the wood for the pieces of line, and the fishing line was painted. I would think that the same technique could be used for pine needles.

Tom H

[errol]

hi mark, I will look back thru my WFC magazines and see if I can find it since I have almost all issues since the charter one. thanks mark for your suggestion.
Tom the heavy fishing line is a great idea. I will experiment with that also. If I can get something that looks good I will post pictures and how it was done.
Thanks again guys and safe carving

[Bandaid]

Hi Errol...check out the posts by Calynne and try entering "pine branch". She made some fantastic pine branches for a chickadee carving a few years ago.
I don't remember her technique but I know she shared some tips on how she did them.

[Ian Duncan]

heres a picture from my attempt at a pine branch for my pine grosbeak. got the info from old wildfowl carving mag. if u still need it i can look it up and let you know the month or mail you a copy of the article.

[errol]

Ian, your branch looks really good. What did you use for the pine needles? I have all the old wfc magazines except winter 1985, and summer 1999. Do you remember what the yr and issue? Hope its not the 2 I dont have, but I am still searching for those 2 issues. thanks again
Errol

[Dicky]

How about unravelling some braided copper wire. The individual pieces could be bundled (3 for Red Pine and 5 for White Pine) and soldered to the brass tubing.

[Ian Duncan]

I got the ideas from wildfowl carving issue spring 05. I used the "hairs" from my whisk broom. I think they were too large. Next time I'll use smalled "hairs"..maybe the wifes kitchen broom!! I put them into small holes in waste wood and spray painted them. Then I bundled them in 5's and used a cold soldering tool to melt the ends together. I am using the same sort of branch making to make a red berry bush for a cardinal carving. The bush is together and I started painting the berries tonight. It should be done with bird by the weekend. Next time I will not make the berries I will go to dollar store and find some fake ones. I have more time in the berries then the bird???

[Ian Duncan]

i lamost forgot. I didn't use brass or copper for the branch. the article showed how to make it from wood. looks much better then a metal branch I think