Drake Can Gunner Carving - Session 6 - Sealing and Flotation

In this video Tom shows how to seal the decoy and then works through weighting the keel, test floating the decoy, final assembly and priming the decoy in preparation for painting.

[@huntertwitty6597]

Very nice representation of a canvasback. Beautiful work thanks !

[@tomchristieart]

Thank you very much!

[@donholsinger4229]

Tom,I have been enjoying and learning some from your videos. I hope to see you at the show

[@tomchristieart]

Glad to hear it! Hope to see you there!

[@josephludwig9057]

THANKS, TOM. GREAT PRESENTATION AS USUAL!

[@tomchristieart]

Thanks for the comment Joe. I appreciate it.

[@jonathanrussell5430]

Thanks Tom! I am a huge fan of your work and the instructional videos you keep producing.
I have my room booked for the upcoming Ohio decoy show and me and a friend have volunteered to help this year. I'm looking forward to saying hi in person!
Thanks again!

[@tomchristieart]

Thanks very much Jonathan! Im sure Ill see you at the show and thanks for helping out!

[@bahamarmaris4015]

Wish I could come to the show but I will be working on that too, hopefully one day, thanks for the video TC. 🙏🏻

[@tomchristieart]

You are welcome!

[@lewandlo]

Good stuff Sir. I'm sure you know of it but when scuffing up the surface for primmer I use a small piece fine Scotchbrite pad . Just a piece ripped off . It will sand round surfaces nice and even. I think I will be going to the show in Ohio . That will be a blast too. See you there.

[@tomchristieart]

Thanks for the info Lewis. Same here on bills and rounded surfaces. Thanks for sharing that! Hope to see you in Ohio.

[@ThomasSmith-qo8rm]

Tom ,Thank you for taking time to show how your draft tool was made.

[@tomchristieart]

Sure thing Tom. Thanks for checking it out!

[@user-en5wu7dx6k]

Wonderful

[@tomchristieart]

Thank you Jim!

[@Acidman131]

McCloskey Man O War Marine Spar Varnish works very well for sealing cork gunners.

[@tomchristieart]

Thanks for sharing that recommendation! I appreciate it and I’m sure others will as well. 👍🏻

[@duckmanbhb]

Another great video and I love this decoy. Will we see some of the decoys you have made on your channel at the ODCCA?
Also, where do we find the the lead strips? I like the idea that we would not be pouring molten lead into the keel anymore.
Bruce Brandeberry

[@tomchristieart]

I think I got those lead straps at Scheels or Cabelas Bruce. They are made for decoy anchors so if you search for lead strap decoy anchors I think there are several brands that make them. These were 8 oz. but they come in a variety of weights.

[@tomchristieart]

Working on some entries for the Ohio show Bruce.

[@bahamarmaris4015]

Can not wait to see those.

[@sj-xb4yz]

I ran into and purchased 3xdozen old.. Herters cork divers. they made it with black cork. one decoy has nearly fallen apart. I figured if I can cut the remainer up, i can use it as filler for the other decoys. Any advice? what would be a good dust mix/sealer to fill out the black cork texture?

[@tomchristieart]

I don’t have experience in reconditioning black cork but I would think you could replace sections and glue them in with a waterproof glue or epoxy. You could also chop or grind the black cork from the other decoys and mix with epoxy to form a type of cork dust putty to patch smaller areas. Hope that helps and good luck with your project!

[@user-hf4pb9sw6s]

JoSonja's cork sealer sold on Amazon..

[@tomchristieart]

Thanks for the recommendation! 👍

[@brianmagelky6946]

Great video Tom. Have you ever done plugs (like the plug for the lead chamber) for the screws on the keel?

[@tomchristieart]

I haven’t done plugs before Brian. Thanks for your comment!

[@stephengent9974]

In this day and age is there no alternative to using lead? We have enough pollution in the environment

[@tomchristieart]

Hi Stephen. Im sure there are alternatives (steel, Steel shot, etc.) you could use if you prefer them to lead.