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View Full Version : how i mounted a sword fish bill


triangler
09-11-2016, 01:52 PM
this is how i mounted a sword fish bill at home.First when you cut the bill off go about 1 or 2 inches back from the lower jaw lip. You will need the following : kosher salt ,a pvc pipe [1or 2 inch wider than the bill top, also 2to 3 inches longer],2 end caps, clear ammonia, dawn liquid,baking soda. Ready ,glue one end cap on the large pipe ,mix a strong mix of the salt an warm water to fill the pipe.Put the bill in ,it will float so put a scrap of wood under the cap to hold it down.DO NOT USE ANY METAL TOUCHING THE BILL.Put the cap on an let stand in a warm place. It will take about 5 or so days to soften the marrow. Take out an wash with a hose ,use the best pressure from the nozzle,also use plastic to clean out the marrow,scrape the out side to remove the skin.If you find its still hard ,put it back in the salt water for another week.When you think the bill is clean inside an outside wash again with the pressure hose, step 2 ,,I added the quart of ammonia two about2 gallons of water.This is draw the oil an help get rid of the rest of the marrow.The bill has about 3-4 veins that ran down the bill.I let it soak about 4 days an checked it every day. you can see the color change.Take out wash ,let it dry for day or 2.If you see oil still there put it back ,a few more days.you will see the change.Step3 mix backing soda and water ,put bill in let it soak for 2-3 days.This time wash with dawn soap inside an out.Hang tip up to dry. Now for a few notes If your bill has a small curve to it get a pvc pipe like 1 inch dia. Bind the bill to the pipe with mono ,so you can tighten it as the curve straighten out You also could do this from the start. Now after it is dry ,time to fill the void in the bill.UseDURHAM WATER PUTTY mix to a thick soup,pour in, If you want to extend or make the void finished,Take plastic wrap put it around the outside.Put piece of thin card board around that ,this makes a mould that you can fill.Let dry about 2 days.Remove the mould an sand smooth to shape.Then take 4/0 steel wool an clean bill to a smooth finish.Now the final steps spray on a clear finish 3 coats .You are now ready to mount .Select a board finish it to your spec.The butt end can be covered with felt or some thing you like.To attach the bill i used brass wire bent around the tip an butt drilled though the board. Last note if the bill has a lot of oil in it you can carefully drill holes in it {no 30 or smaller bit}only into the center,this will help when you soak in the ammonia water. Also bleach is not good it will damage the bill.................Now if any body has a better way to do this please post it.Last thing IF YOU COPY THIS TO ANOTHER FISHING BOARD,please give credit to this board an to me....Have fun

triangler
09-11-2016, 02:07 PM
O k i showed how to mount the bill .Now you have to go catch one. The offshore is heating up swords are there . Catch the fish of a life time , mount the bill ,an put a gold engraved plate on it for the great memory..

Pennsy Guy
09-11-2016, 06:34 PM
My sword was cut off by mates so was external...I trimmed the cut, then stood it up in a coffee mug filled with kosher salt for about a month. Did not clean out cut end...3 coats semi gloss spar urethane. Used a select grade white pine 1X6" & longer than bill...cut it the same curve as the bill, rounded on pointy end---straight cut -same angle as cut end of bill. Routed an ogee edge on mounting board, then 3 coats semi gloss spar urethane. Used epoxy cement to afix sword to board and hung on wall---used 2 saw-toothed picture hangers nailed to back of board--one near each end. Epoxy's held up for 22+ years so far. Didn't sand bill or try to clean it as it had PB bottom paint on it from its "attack"...