How to Mount a Small Skeleton
Mounting a small skeleton teaches about the bones and how the skeleton fits together as a whole structure. Many professionals who mount skeletons took years of science in the study of the body structures of many animals. These steps offer an outline to follow in order to mount any type of skeleton.
- Difficulty:
- Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Galvanized iron wire
- Wire cutters
- Quick drying adhesive
- Heavy brass wire
- Hack saw
- Bucket of water
- Vise
- Heating element
- Drill and bit
- Tiny soft wood pieces
- Measuring tape
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Wiring the Vertebra
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1
Work the galvanized iron wire through the neural canal of the vertebral column, and then distal end while anchoring it firmly in the sacrum. As a result, the entire vertebra is strung with wire. Make sure you have enough projecting wire from the first vertebra (atlas) to attach the skull.
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2
Count the tail as part of the vertebra and continue all the wire all the way to the end.
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3
Bend the backbone in position. Place the skeleton in water first long enough so the ligaments soften and are pliable.
Make Mounting Poles
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1
Use two pieces of brass wire that are heavy enough to support the top (axis) and bottom part of the skeleton on the mounting board.
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2
Cut the wires for proper length. Heat one end of each wire and immerse in cold water immediately, softening the wire to be cut.
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3
Place each wire in a vise and hack saw each end to form a fork or U shape at the ends.
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4
Mount the wires as support "poles" on the mounting board. Use quick drying adhesive glue. Allow time for the mounting "poles" to dry.
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5
Place the wired backbone on the U shaped mounts to hold the skeleton in place and you continue to put it together fully.
Wiring the Extremities
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1
Measure the length of each extremity and note their lengths, then measure out four lengths of the galvanized wire that are 30 percent longer than the length of the extremities. You will need extra length for twisting through the joints and for attachments to the vertebra (core).
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2
Drill holes at each opposite point to attach at the joints with the wire. Make sure the drill bit is large enough but not too large for the wire to fit through.
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3
Start at the end of the extremities leaving about two inches of wire to attach to the vertebrae.
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4
Thread and wrap the wire through the drilled holes around the end joint while gently guiding the wire to each joint. If need be, make tiny wooden wedges to keep the bones from breaking.
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5
Continue working on each extremity until all are completely done.
Mount the Skull
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1
Drill a hole in the back of the skull for the wire. If the skull is large enough, the possibility of it breaking is less.
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2
Take the vertebrae with the neck wire sticking out from mounting the vertebrae earlier and then thread the wire through the skull and determine with quick drying adhesive clue the skull will stay in place. If so, apply the glue to the area before reinserting the wire. Then, hold the skull in place until the glue dries.
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3
Create a wire mount to place in the skull if it is too fragile to have the skull glued to the wire. Then, attach the vertebrae wire to the mounting piece in the skull.
Attach the Extremities
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1
Compare the pictures of the skeleton to your skeleton and determine where the holes should be drilled to attach the arms.
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2
Drill holes in the end of the arms and at the area on the skeleton where the arms will be attached.
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3
Thread the galvanized wire through the holes to attach the arms. Make sure you work gently with the bones. If you need to use wooden wedges, do so.
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4
Go through the same process with the legs.
Ribs Attached to the Vertebrae
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1
Articulate the ribs so you know where they go on the skeleton.
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2
Drill holes in the rib bone that will attach to the vertebrae.
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3
Cut wire the correct size to thread the rib bone on to the vertebrae.
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1
Tips & Warnings
The skeleton needs to be treated thoroughly before starting the mounting of the bones.
As you piece the skeleton together whether it be a mammal, frog or bird, you need to have some sort of guide line as to how the bones can be articulated. A replica or picture of the skeleton suffices.
If this particular animal has a shoulder bone area, you will need to articulate that shoulder bone together and add that on before the skull. You add it on in the same manner as the skull.
Before you attach the legs, you may need to articulate the hip bone area depending on the animal you are doing. Similar to the shoulder bone area, the hip can be articulated quite easily.
