How To Install Jawsets

Jawset Installation

The first step to mounting a great open mouth mount is to select the proper jaw set . Van Dyke's offers a very large selection of jaws for everything from a mink to an African lion.

Most of the newer manikins have the detached jaw for easy jaw set installation. But some forms are molded with the mouth area filled in. In this case, you must first prepare the form for installing your jaws. This can be done easily and quickly. You must first determine where the pivot point of the jaw is located. It is important for a proper fit that the pivot point be used for the axis of the two cuts you will need to make in the form. When you have determined the axis point, mark the spot on the form. Now you can decide where to cut the form. You can either cut from the top of the head down or from the throat up to the pivot point. The decision on the cut would depend on the type of form, for example a bear would be better to cut from the top behind the eyes, a elk would be better cut from the throat. To make the cut a hack saw blade works very well, it easily cuts through the foam and makes a smooth cut without removing much material making reattachment easier. The next cut would be through the center of the mouth to the pivot point. Now you will need to start removing the foam plug, you can trim this down to the lip line with a sharp knife, be careful not to cut it to any deeper than the lips. At this point take the jaw set and trace the space that you need to remove. Dremel out both the bottom and top jaw, stopping periodically to do a test fit. In some cases, especially on the lower jaw, it may be necessary to trim the lower jaw itself to fit properly. Once the jaw fits, it can be secured in place with hot glue, Bondo or Apoxie Sculpt or a combination of them. Hot glue can be used to fasten the jaws in place and then use Apoxie Sculpt to rebuild the gums up to the lip line . It is much easier to do this before you mount the animal than after. After both jaws are in place use Bondo to re-secure the form, then after it cures smooth the seam with Apoxie Sculpt.

Van Dyke's now has available a complete mouth set for a coyote, that has the jaws and inner mouth all in one piece with the the lip line sculpted in. The mouth set is designed for shoulder poses and pedestal forms but can always be used in any form with little alterations. Van Dyke's will have a mouth set available for more species in the future.