question on rattle

[sailordad]

i have a rattle snake skin with the rattle still attached
well it was untill i cut the coontail section off of the skin,the rattle is still attached to the coon tail section
now i want to take the rattle and coontail section and attach it to the handle of  something i am making
now i know i need to soak the skin in warm water untill pliable
my question is
"what should i do to retain the rattle onto the coontail during and after applying it to the handle?"
also "should i remove scales before or after installing the skin?"

                                                                        peace,
                                                                             tim

[NTD]

Tim,

The rattle should have no problem staying attached as is during soaking and application.  The only thing I might be worried about is AFTER it's attached and the skin is dry again.  If the rattle caught on something it could tear away, as you know the skins are like paper when dry.  If you secure the base of the rattle somehow onto the project that might help.  You could remove the scales now.  Or if when you hydrate the skin you let it soak a bit longer than usual often those scales with slip right off.  Good Luck.

[sailordad]

NTD, i was hoping you would respond 
i figured you would know,seeing as you seem to deal with skins every now and again 

thanks for the info
i have been trying to think of a way to attach the rattle directly to the handle other than just the skin holding it
i thought about applying a light coat of epoxy around the top rattle onto the skin once the skin has dried on the handle
not sure how that would work other than stiffen that joint area up so hopefuly it wont tear at the joint

thanks again

[NTD]

No problem Tim  

Not sure how to help on the staying attached part, it's tough to visualize your intended end result   I'm sure you'll figure that part out though 

[sailordad]

ya, i think i can come up with something

especially as the item is intended for more decrotive purposes than utility uses

ya know something pretty for the wall,or maybe even trade once i get tired of looking at it 

[sailordad]

one more question
the wood for the handle is a a type of maple,therfore white in color
i want the skin to realy "POP"
what should i do to the underlying wood
to make the coon tail and diamonds show up well?

[Pappy]

I darken the wood on my bow when I use Diamond back skins,it make them really stand out.I just use a black marker.On the rattles,I have used them several times and the problem is they will deteriorate pretty quick if you don't seal them,if you seal them they will last but won't rattle.I dip them in tru oil and let them dry and they will last forever,just won't rattle.
     Pappy