Attaching Euro-mount to plaque

[Bhoesl]

Just shot my first elk a couple weeks ago and took the head to a beetle place for a European mount, should be done in a few months. In the mean-time I’m wanting to start making the wooden plaque to mount it on. How does everyone attach their euro mounts to the plaque?
Thanks

 

[grizzly_]

Toggle bolt inside the skull screwed through the back of the plaque. Totally hidden from view and rock solid. I do a second one to keep it from twisting on the plate with the weight of the antlers.

I also did a french cleat with an aluminum hanger from Lowes so the plaque sits flush to the wall.

 

[Gellar]

This is a deer but I do 3/8”bolt through the bottom/back of the skull. I use a long needle nose fishing forces to reach in there and hold the head.

 

[Bhoesl]

Thanks for the advice, I really like the toggle bolt idea. Only euro mount I’ve done before was a deer and I just ran a drywall screw through the back of the plaque and into the skull, but wanted something better for this elk.

 

[jdeges]

Toggle bolt inside the skull screwed through the back of the plaque. Totally hidden from view and rock solid. I do a second one to keep it from twisting on the plate with the weight of the antlers.

I also did a french cleat with an aluminum hanger from Lowes so the plaque sits flush to the wall.

View attachment 154739

I am really liking this design for the euro plaque! I want to do something like this for the CO elk I took last week. Would you be able to share the dimensions of the triangles? Is this black walnut wood? I'm thinking about using black walnut with a dark stain...TIA!

 

[Rack Daniels]

Personal opinion, I am not a pro painter: I think even a light urethane really brings out the depth of a dark walnut and a dark stain may be too dark on the overall product. Maybe do a test piece with different stains and see what you like best. Congrats on the elk!

I agree the triangles are sweet looking @grizzly_ !

 

[grizzly_]

I am really liking this design for the euro plaque! I want to do something like this for the CO elk I took last week. Would you be able to share the dimensions of the triangles? Is this black walnut wood? I'm thinking about using black walnut with a dark stain...TIA!

Thanks. I'll have to climb up and measure the pieces, I just made up the dimensions based on the skull size.

Yes, it's black walnut.

 

[rmyoung1]

Make sure you put some sort of cloth or towel or something between the teeth and the plaque when you tighten down. Those teeth are sharp, and it’s more than a little disappointing when they scratch the crud outta your new plaque.