I've got a number of african animals being tanned right now that I'd like to have done as pedestal mounts but when I talked it over with my taxidermist the price difference between a pedestal and a wall mount is substantial. How difficult is it to make the pedestals yourself and is there any reference available discussing minimum requirements such as base diameters, methods of attaching the mount, etc.?

I had this same delima and decided to make my own pedistals. If you're fairly handy with woodworking skills, and have the right tools, you can do it. I figure that I cut 1/3 to 1/2 off the cost of the mount by building the pedistals myself. The wood for each pedistal cost between $100-150 each, My time (for me) was free.

Here's an oak cabinet/pedistal that I made for my Central Canada Caribou.

And a cherry wood pedistal for my Zebra.

I have several more African antelope at my taxidermist that I will be making pedistals for.

You want to make them wide enough at the bottom so that they will not be "top heavy", and they need enough wood under the mount to secure the mount. Ask your taxidermist how the mount will be fastened and make the top of the pedistal to accomodate the fastener.

Part of the higher cost of a pedestal mount is the furniture base and part of it is the added work involved with finishing the back of the form, altering the forms, and the attachment system.

If you are not very familiar with the sizes of each mount do not try and buy or make a base without working with your taxidermist. Find out the appropriate dimentions of each base from your taxidermist. Different species and poses call for different sizes. A good rule of thumb is to have the finished animals face at eye level or just below eye level. Also, keep in mind the maximum height of a piece in relation to ceiling height. You may be able to find something that would work from a furniture store or make one (if you have the woodworking skills)and save some money. However I do not recommend skimping too much on the base. Cheap bases look like cheap bases.

this mount was originally designed to hang on a wall. i decided to use a pedestal instead and bought the furniture at a going out of business sale for $300 and attached the mount using the original wall hangers turned upside down. the leopard's head is now at eye level instead of being 4-5 feet above your line of sight.

Very nice Jerry. we need to see more pics of your room..

Hey thanks for the input everyone

You make a great point Grafton, the last thing I want is to look at my mounts and see nothing but the crudy base.

quote:

Originally posted by A.Dahlgren:
Very nice Jerry. we need to see more pics of your room..

when i get my next batch of trophies from Moz., i will post a few pictures.. when they arrive, i will be out of both floor and wall space!! nothing but pictures and plaques from now on.