Decoy repair suggestions?

braggscowboy · #1 05/22/13, 11:35 PM

I bought this wooden goose decoy, large one. About 24 inches on the bottom flat part. It has a 1/4" wide split the length of the bottom pretty much and I would like to stabilize the crack (humidity change?). I am thinking it would not pull back together and then glue, afraid it will crack somewhere else if I do. I have a copper piece that is about 2" wide that I thought I would lay a grid with nails about 1/2' apart the length of the decoy on both sides. (way old wooden bowls were done long ago). Should I put glue in the crack before putting on the copper, or just put the copper on and hope it hold it from splitting any more? Any ideas would be appreciated on how best to repair this to the point of holding it in place without further damage.

Nimrod · #2 05/22/13, 11:54 PM

If you mess with it you will destroy any collector value. I would get it appraised first. If it's not worth anything as a collectors item then go ahead and fix it.

braggscowboy · #3 05/23/13, 07:26 AM

I am quiet aware of collector values, as this is what I do. I buy and sell a lot of things, but this is something that I will keep. I can see that the "gap" keeps moving with the weather change over the years and will continue to here in Okla. If not stabilized, I may have a set of book ends before long.

TnAndy · #4 05/23/13, 09:39 AM

OK....gotta say it...... DUCK TAPE.

o&itw · #5 05/23/13, 11:44 AM

My thought is that any kind of glue will not work or cause problems elsewhere.

You could keep a steam kettle going next to where you keep it.

I think I would wait till it is very dry and use wood filler.

braggscowboy · #6 05/23/13, 04:23 PM

I don't like the glue idea, and I don't think I will use it. The tea kettle would work, for a while. I am thinking I may have to drill in some place and put dowel rods. This decoy, I am thinking is more than likely 30-50 years old, but no sure. I do think I need to do something to stabilize it for sure.

fordy · #7 05/23/13, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braggscowboy

I don't like the glue idea, and I don't think I will use it. The tea kettle would work, for a while. I am thinking I may have to drill in some place and put dowel rods. This decoy, I am thinking is more than likely 30-50 years old, but no sure. I do think I need to do something to stabilize it for sure.

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Dale Alan · #8 05/23/13, 07:52 PM

How about using a biscuit joiner ? That would bridge the gap and allow some type of adhesive with the biscuits .