FISH TAXIDERMY - BASS - Supplies I Use

The Following are Supplies I Use in my Five Part Video Series FISH TAXIDERMY - BASS.   Some Items show Pictures.    I've also included Links, for your Convenience, to view more Supplies I use in this Video, in my Shop, the Field and Recommend.   A Variety of Choices for a Variety of Budgets.



I use either the 10" or 12" Calipers for my Fish and Game Measurements.   I use and Recommend the Following.



MORE ALUMINUM CALIPER CHOICES


For Fish and Birds, Scissors with Shorter, Stronger Blades are Best.   You can Spend quite a bit on a good pair of Fish, Bird, etc., Scissors or Shears.   Watch for Sales and Bargains.   Here are a Few Reasonably Priced Scissors which would work well.



CLICK HERE FOR A LARGE VARIETY OF SCISSORS


For the More Delicate and Precise Detailed Cutting of the Fish

CLICK HERE FOR PRECISION TYPE SCISSORS


I use this "Bird's Beak" Knife all the Time in the Shop.    It's really handy.   But, it's also Scary Sharp.   I do not Recommend it for Younger People. 




Preservative for Fish Skin:   50% Denatured Alcohol and 50% Water

DENATURED ALCOHOL CHOICES


The Size of the Foam Block Depends Upon the Size of Fish.   I Make Most of my Fish Forms.    I use Polystyrene Insulation Foam Sheets, Stack and Glue Them to the Size of Fish Form I Want.   Sculpt. 

 

CLICK HERE FOR A VARIETY OF POLYSTYRENE FOAM SHEETS 

CLICK HERE FOR A LARGER SELECTION OF GLUE GUNS


To Shave and Shape Your Form

 

CLICK HERE FOR MEDIUM TO FINE RASP CHOICES


ALWAYS Think SAFETY FIRST.    Keep a First Aid Kit in your Work Area.   Always wear Safety Glasses or Goggles when working with Paints or any Chemicals.   Don't take any Chances when it comes to your Vision. 

GREAT SELECTION OF SAFETY GLASSES AND GOGGLES 

ADDITIONAL FIRST AID KITS FOR YOUR SHOP OR HOME


I Don't Use Vinyl Gloves. They Don't Stretch as Well, and the Sensitivity just isn't there.   I Use the Nitrile Gloves.

NITRILE EXAM GLOVES CHOICES

If you Prefer Vinyl, CLICK HERE FOR A VARIETY OF VINYL GLOVES

Or, if you are Allergic to Latex; CLICK HERE FOR LATEX-FREE GLOVES


What I use for Sewing the Fish Skin around the Form

"S" AND "C" CURVED SEWING NEEDLES

MONO FISHING LINE FOR SECURE SEWING


Fill in the Head and Cheeks with Regular Potter's Clay.   Potter's Clay dries Slower than Apoxie-Sculpt, Enabling you to make Necessary Adjustments prior to Hardening.   You'll use this a lot in Taxidermy.

CHOICES OF POTTERS CLAY


For Setting and Detailing Eyes, Scales, Throat Latch, Gill Areas, Head, Shrinkage Areas, etc., I use, and Recommend, Apoxie-Sculpt.

APOXIE-SCULPT CHOICES OF COLORS AND PRICES


If you are a Beginner, you don't need to Purchase Modeling Tools.   Use what you can Find Around the House.   If you Continue in this Field, you'll have a Better Idea what kind of Modeling Tools you'll Need Later.   For those who want Modeling Tools, the Following are Reasonably Priced and will work fine.

CLICK HERE FOR A VARIETY OF MODELING TOOLS


Backing the Fins

VARIETY OF DRITZ MULTI-USE PINS

MODGE PODGE CHOICES


Clear Acrylic Latex Caulk without Silicone can be Tricky to Locate   

CLICK HERE FOR CLEAR, ACRYLIC, LATEX CAULK CHOICES

Make sure you get Non-Silicone Caulk.   Otherwise, you cannot Paint on top of it.     It's also Easier to Work with and Cleans up with Soap and Water.


Clear, Non-Yellowing Spray Sealer for Use to Seal the Fish.   These Tend to be Pricier for the Quality Sealers that are Durable.   I always use the Gloss Finish on Fish.

CLICK HERE TO A VARIETY OF CLEAR SPRAY SEALERS
Choose Non-Yellowing, Durable, Gloss.


I have "The Breakthrough FISH PAINTING ENCYCLOPEDIA" by Jim Hall in my Shop (see my Notes Below on this Book).   Also, I Purchased Two Years of the Following Magazine Subscription.   Both are very Helpful to the Beginner and Pro alike.



Ideally, I Recommend Taking a Photo of Your Fish as Soon as You Get it. Fish Coloration differs from Region to Region. Refer to the Photo(s) you took, or a Crisp, Color Photo of an Accurate Representation of the Species, to achieve Realistic Details on your Fish.   Take your Time. Use Patience.   Duplicate the Highlights, the Spot Patterns, etc., from the Photo(s) of Your Fish. Stencils can be Purchased, but, they only make the Job Quicker.   You can do just as Good or Better without One.

I have Accumulated Color Photos from Various Hunting and Fishing Magazines.   I Categorized them and Place them in Labeled Folders.     Have a Good Photo at your Workstation.   Refer to it often.   Don't use Artists Representations or Renditions.


I HIGHLY Recommend "The Breakthrough FISH PAINTING ENCYCLOPEDIA" by Jim Hall. It Contains all the Information you need on Painting Techniques, Tips, Airbrushing and Painting Realistic-Looking Fish.   There are Very Expensive Editions on the Internet, in Various Conditions for Sale.   Don't Purchase those.   Those Sellers are just trying to Gouge the Taxidermist.   You can get a BRAND NEW COMPLETE BOOK Through VanDykes Taxidermy Supply for under $30.00.     1-800-279-7985


I Recommend, and use, the Dual or Double Action Airbrush.     It's Easier to Control than the Single Action.    The Paasche Brand is a Quality Brand and Replacement Parts are Easy to Obtain.  The Following are Choices I would Recommend:




CLICK HERE FOR MORE CHOICES OF THE DOUBLE ACTION AIRBRUSH BRANDS

CLICK HERE FOR AIRBRUSH REPLACEMENT PARTS


For an Air Compressor, go to a Discount or Farm Store, or Pick One up at a Sale.   The Smaller Ones are Sufficient, but, will Run More than the Larger Ones.

AIR COMPRESSORS


I use a Variety of Sizes of Artist Paint Brushes in my Shop.   You'll use these Brushes with Different Tips.   These are Good Sets for the Money.


CLICK HERE FOR A LARGE VARIETY OF ARTIST-STYLE PAINT BRUSH SETS


Super Handy Hand Mixer for your Paint and Airbrush Bottles I use:

BADGER AIR-BRUSH PAINT MIXER - HAND HELD


Basic Colors, Acrylic, Gloss, Water-Based Paints I Use and Recommend are Linked Below.   I always have a Variety of Colors on Hand to Mix Myself for an Accurate Color Match.     For Realistic Detailing, some of the Species-Specific Colors should be Purchased at VanDykes or McKenzie Supply Companies.

LARGE VARIETY OF ACRYLIC PAINT BOTTLE CHOICES

ENAMEL PAINT COLOR CHOICES


Color Wheels are Necessary to Accurately Mix your Basic Colors Together to Achieve the Correct Color Match.   The Following Link has Several, Reasonably-Priced Wheels to Choose from.   No Reason to Spend more than $10 USD on this.

COLOR WHEEL CHOICES


If you get a Little Paint on your Fish where it Doesn't Belong, it's Best to Remove as soon as Possible before it Dries.    If you are Using Water Based Paint and it's a Fresh Spot, use Water and a Q-Tip to Remove.   If the Mistake has Dried, you have Two Choices. Acetone and Paint Thinner are Highly Flammable, Toxic Chemicals, but can be CAREFULLY used if you Read and Follow ALL Manufacturers Guidelines and Warnings.   Because of the Toxic Nature of these Two Products, I Rarely Use Either of Them.


Take ALL Safety Warnings Serious with Any Paints and Chemicals.   Again, Always Follow ALL Instructions and Warnings by Manufacturers Labels. Don't Ever Take Chances with your Vision or Lungs.


For Gold Tipping Scales



If the Gold Wax gets too Dry, Rehydrate with Mineral Spirits.   Only Takes a Drop or Two.


CLICK HERE FOR MINERAL SPIRIT CHOICES


If you are Mounting your Fish on Wood, Driftwood, etc., look Around your area or in the Country for something Usable.   Use your Imagination.   I have Purchased Driftwood through Amazon and found them to be Durable and Realistic.

LARGE SELECTION OF DRIFTWOOD

CLICK HERE FOR A LARGE VARIETY OF WOODEN PLAQUES


Forms and Eyes are Available at Van Dykes Taxidermy Supply.