Session 1 - Band Sawing the Decoy - Drake Mallard Decoy

In this segment Tom goes through the steps to properly cut out a decoy body and head on the band saw.

[@duckmanbhb]

Tom, I went back to refresh myself with this videobefore I cut out my next decoy. Thank you. Bruce Brandeberry

[@tomchristieart]

Great! Glad these are there if you need to refer to them.

[@joellarose3806]

Yet another video that I wished that I'd seen years ago. Excellent presentation that takes some of the mystery out of the process, especially trimming the excess wood off of the sides at an angle. Thank you.

[@tomchristieart]

Thanks Joel! Glad it was helpful!

[@bobball3719]

Thank you for answering my question about the heads yesterday. My phone has been acting up again. Thanks Bob

[@tomchristieart]

Sure thing Bob.

[@canvasback71]

Thanks so much looking forward to seeing more videos and following along

[@tomchristieart]

Great! Thanks for checking it out.

[@geoffreyplourde362]

Well done, looking forward to your next video

[@tomchristieart]

Thank you!

[@dongifford197]

thanks for your patience knowledge

[@tomchristieart]

It's my pleasure

[@homesteadedman4784]

New sub here Tom, so glad a found out about your channel. Cheers Ed

[@tomchristieart]

Thanks Ed! I appreciate it. Cheers!

[@homesteadedman4784]

@@tomchristieartI have met you a few times over the years at the Ohio Strongsville show. I have come out there with Steve Brettell, Carl Guay, and the Maine crew.

[@user-pp5vi7is7p]

Hunted over handcarved Cansvasback decoys in Canada this fall. I was in awe of them. I am looking to attempt to make my own. Where do you get your wood?

[@tomchristieart]

I get my Tupelo from Brad Ketrick in NC (you can find him on google) but if you are going to be doing gunners I would make them out of white cedar. I don’t have a good source for cedar but I’m sure they are out there if you do some searching. Another thought would be cork bodies. Willy McDonald can help you there. His company is called “The Duck Blind”. Tom

[@dewblacksmithing]

Loved your video. What was the size of the wood blocks that you started with?

[@tomchristieart]

Thanks for checking it out. The body block was about 7.5" wide x 5" deep x 16"long. The head block was about 6" long x 4.5". tall x 2 3/8"thick.

[@MarionL-zq4qr]

Love videos! Have you made any modifications to your Jet bandsaw?

[@tomchristieart]

Thanks! No modifications to the band saw Marion.

[@Drewsod]

Great video. Where do you get your templates from for marking out the outline? Thank you

[@tomchristieart]

I make my own patterns. Here is a video covering how to do that. You can also buy great patterns from Pat Godin at godinart.com. kzbin.info/www/bejne/epnUepaVjMigbpY

[@jimmyk5644]

How do you cut out the second section if you have to keep making relief cuts on the bandsaw instead of one big piece that you can attach my band saw is too small to make one large cut I have to make a bunch of relief cuts and I'm having difficulty cutting out the the other view that you had done any suggestions

[@tomchristieart]

that’s a tough one if your band saw won’t cut that depth. may have to eyeball it or make a template of your pattern you can use it to check the shape as you trim it down.

[@MarionL-zq4qr]

I believe I seen somewhere where you stated you use a 1/4 x 6 TPI saw blade for everything. Do You have any brand recommendations?

[@tomchristieart]

I currently have Delta blades and like them but there are other good blade brands I’m sure.

[@davelsnell]

Do you sell your templates? I sure would like to get one to give me some better practice. Also where do you get your Tupelo from?

[@tomchristieart]

I don’t sell patterns Dave. Pat Godin does sell patterns on his web site at godinart.com I get most of my Tupelo from Brad Ketrick in North Carolina.

[@ericschirmer76]

Where is a good place to buy bulk tupelo? Or Bass?

[@tomchristieart]

Brad Ketrick sells Tupelo. He is out of North Carolina. I haven’t bought any basswood so not sure about that Eric.

[@dylanmcgovern1253]

What are the dimensions on your body block of wood?

[@tomchristieart]

The body block was about 7.5" wide x 5" deep x 16"long Dylan.

[@clintmidkiff5405]

Tom, what width blade and tpi do you use? Thanks,Clint

[@tomchristieart]

I use a 1/4” 6TPI Clint.

[@clintmidkiff5405]

That’s what have. Thanks Tom!

[@wpaternoster2]

Is there a way to do this without a band saw?

[@tomchristieart]

There are always alternative approaches that can be used. I am not familiar with those approaches since I use a band saw. I have seen people use less thick wood (I.e. 2x10 lumber) and a jigsaw to cut out sections and laminate them together. you have to plan the size of each layer in your patterns. There maybe someone who reads this that can offer better advice?

[@wpaternoster2]

@@tomchristieart Thanks for your reply and honesty! Was looking into getting carving as a hobby but don't have space for a bandsaw!