“show us your handmade display stands”

[caldigger]

Kris, I think your rack mount can count as a stand.  It's just vertical, that's all.

[Fossil Claw]

My first one.

[Ptychodus04]

17 minutes ago, Fossil Claw said:

My first one.

Is that wire clothes hanger? Ingenious.

[Bobby Rico]

17 minutes ago, Fossil Claw said:

 

My first one.

 

Great Job thank you for adding to my post. Nice horse toe bones too.

[Uncle Siphuncle]

My mammoth jaw stand isn’t exactly hand made.  3D CAD design, laser cut parts from 1/4” steel plate, a little TIG welding, lazy susan pivot configuration to show labial side if desired.  Used a brass bushing at the pivot, should have used a ball bearing or roller bearing.

 

I enjoy making custom stands for my stuff in ply, since my wife got me a bandsaw for Cmas a couple years ago (standing ovation for my wife).  Method:

 

1.  Create simplified 3D model of fossil from as-built dimensions. 

 

2.  Design stand in 3D CAD around model above assuming 3/4” ply.  Keep center of gravity low, envision where it will be displayed, and take into account potential tipping loads and directions if bumped.  Size/shape base accordingly.  

 

3.  Give all supports sufficient cross section for flexural and torsional stresses imparted if bumped.  Make sure fossil will cradle into stand such that it can’t fall out if bumped.  

 

4.  Model screw locations and pilot hole depths into constituent parts to ensure adequate thread engagement, without pilot drill breakthrough.

 

5.  Plot full size patterns of each part.

 

6.  Cut out patterns and tape to low end 3/4 ply, nesting patterns efficiently.

 

7.  Match drill all holes as per patterns.

 

8.  Cut out parts on bandsaw, tracing each pattern profile.

 

9.  screw it together.

 

10.  Evaluate fit and structural integrity, adjusting pattern and reprinting.  Often localized reliefs are added to accommodate organic shapes.

 

11.  Cut parts from high grade ply (no voids in glue or btwn plys), sand edges smooth, assemble, stain, seal, enjoy.

 

I don’t go to this effort except for special finds.  The Bison latifrons skull reqd special considerations to accommodate weight, plus hang loose skull pieces in living position while keeping stand from showing/distracting.  I’m happy with the result.

[snolly50]

2 hours ago, Bobby Rico said:

@Ptychodus04  @snolly50 @Fossil Claw Please if you don’t Mind can you add your great stands to my post. Cheers Bobby 

Here are stands I have cobbled...

 

Rustic bases made from a wild cherry tree felled in my yard...

 

Big ole Mosasaur teeth

 

 

A section of Halisaurus jaw...

 

 

Triceratops chevrons on an African Mahogany base

 

 

 

The skull of the Oreodont, Lucinda on a Bocote base

 

 

The square bases are turning blanks commonly employed by woodworkers to lathe turn bowls. The supports are brass stock, bent to need. The finish is hand-rubbed shellac with a final coat of Briwax. Happy standing! I am anxious to see what creative techniques will be posted.

 

PS, The restless spirit of the Notogoneus is finally mercifully at peace on the stand Kris fashioned.

 

[Ptychodus04]

Here are a few others I have done.

 

The ammonite stand is also noted in another topic and was the inspiration for Sr. Rico's much needed thread here!

 

This tusk stand is made from #5 rebar.

 

 

 

This is a wall hanging mount I made from black walnut for this beautiful GRF fossil assemblage. It was subsequently destroyed by a careless shipper and sparked a 4 month battle to get the owner reimbursed for the value of the fossil and the mount...

 

[rebu]

So many good ideas and cool stands, lots of creative people here. Great thread Bobby Rico. Here is couple of my creations trying to keep it simple and same style to kind of tie the collection together and not to take anything away from the beauty of the fossils.

[Ramo]

Here are a few ones I made similar to ones I've seen here.  I used #9 wire, with smaller wire attached at the top, and scraps of cut stone for the base.

[Ramo]

[Ramo]

[Bobby Rico]

2 hours ago, Uncle Siphuncle said:

mammoth jaw stand

Thanks for sharing I really like the look of your stands very soiled . I think the eco the stature of the beasts the fossils portray. 

 

51 minutes ago, rebu said:

Great thread Bobby Rico.

Thank you very much and your stand have that modern museum look to them very slick indeed . Nice work

 

24 minutes ago, Ramo said:

made similar

. I think they are great . I do like the stone base and they give your displays a nice hight to them.  Very nice indeed 

 

Thank you all for adding to my thread. It has turned out better than I hoped. I feel that there are some great inspiriting ideas, that may help out some of our members with their future project.

 

please keep them coming.

 

cheers Bobby 

[Bobby Rico]

2 hours ago, snolly50 said:

skull of the Oreodont

This is beautiful indeed . Really stunning display.

[Ramo]

Here are some rikers I have mounted with a simple board with a notch cut along the edge.

[Ptychodus04]

I did it. Ran to the grocery store and bought a tin of sardines, ate them quickly (yum), and washed the tin. Then, in goes a small piece with two small Knightia (I’m assuming this is correct). Tada... 

 

I’ll enjoy the humor even if nobody else in my house does. Eventually, I’ll replace it with a piece of matrix full of fish if I find one.

[Bobby Rico]

3 hours ago, Ptychodus04 said:

I did it. Ran to the grocery store and bought a tin of sardines, ate them quickly (yum), and washed the tin. Then, in goes a small piece with two small Knightia (I’m assuming this is correct). Tada... 

 

I’ll enjoy the humor even if nobody else in my house does. Eventually, I’ll replace it with a piece of matrix full of fish if I find one.

Yes brilliant I definitely going to do that too. Some nice specimens on them there shelves. 

[Ptychodus04]

50 minutes ago, Bobby Rico said:

Yes brilliant I definitely going to do that too. Some nice specimens on them there shelves. 

I’m running out of space...

[Bobby Rico]

3 minutes ago, Ptychodus04 said:

I’m running out of space...

Another good  slogan for a T-shirt for TFF members.  

[snolly50]

@rebu I very much like the appearance of the dark wood slab "floating" over the larger light wood base. It makes for a very nice display. 

[rebu]

2 hours ago, snolly50 said:

@rebu I very much like the appearance of the dark wood slab "floating" over the larger light wood base. It makes for a very nice display. 

Thank you

[rebu]

7 hours ago, Bobby Rico said:

 

Thank you very much and your stand have that modern museum look to them very slick indeed . Nice work

 

Thanks

[ReptileTooth]

Lot of creativity and well realised stands here!

I'm inspired!

[caldigger]

This is a great thread Bobby. It is certainly giving me some ideas for items I have been vacilating on.

[snolly50]

13 hours ago, Ptychodus04 said:

I did it. Ran to the grocery store and bought a tin of sardines, ate them quickly (yum), and washed the tin. Then, in goes a small piece with two small Knightia (I’m assuming this is correct). Tada... 

No, no, for authenticity you have to float the slab in oil and leave a couple sardines under the slab to retain that realistic odor! 

[Bobby Rico]

Ok I made another diorama landscapes today to hold my oreodont skull it is not a great fossils but I like it. 

I clingfilmed skull first and then pushed the modelling clay into the skull underside to make a mould for it to sit on.  After the stand dried I then painted and added some modelling material. It sits very safely but to make sure I made a couple of wire trees to use as supports. I think it is fun and looks quite looks good.