Dakota Pro - Seeing What you are doing

[slomj]

Hi,
To those of you that own the Dakota Pro,
Do any of you have problems with seeing what you are doing when
shaving? The housing head is somewhat wide, and on the left side
you have all the micrometer adjustments and the hub in the way.
Do you look down over the top of the machine, or do you compensate
to see on the left side some how?
I would like opinions of current users of how you can see/tell what you are
doing when using this machine, both standing and sitting down when using a table.
Thanks
Jim

[WBB793]

I bought this machine, set it up and tried to shave for about 5 minutes!! Boxed it up and sent it back!!! You are right you cant see anything on the left side. Order the Rawhide Furdresser!!! Best machine on the market... I have been shaving skins and running a tannery for nearly 20 years. This is just my opinion..

[slomj]

Hi,
How about some replies folks?
Amy, Hudson, Paul E, Rnviper3, Dsbragg, Rich P, Traooer John ETC....
I know from the forum that you think this machine is neater than sliced bread!
How do you see when shaving?
Paul E keeps saying that you can shave a Gnatts A$$ off,  thats great, but can you see the
Gnatt to do it?
Thanks,
Jim

[George Roof]

Well, let me piss in your Post Toasties.  I OWN a Rawhide and if I could swap it out for a Dakota Pro, I'd do it before the internet posts this reply.    If you can't see at all, then the machine is set too high to begin with.  The only reason we look on the right side is that we're right handed and the machine is made for right handed people.  You pull the hide with your right hand while keeping it taut with the left.  Funny though, when I make a pass, I pull the hide back around to see what I shaved off and to make more corrections if need be.  In reality, I should be looking on the back side of the blade instead of the front.

For a fleshing/shaving machine to be used properly, the "ball" of the wheel cover should fit under your right arm pit so that you're looking down on top of the blade.  We all know, however, that as it dulls, instead of stopping and rehoning the blade, we just pull against the round knife harder.  Then we end up with neck and back aches for being stupid.

[slomj]

Hi George,
Thanks for the reply.
I don't quite understand your answer.
Do you mean that I should forget the let side and look over the
top of the shroud?
Thanks much,
Jim

[Rich P.]

When I use mine I stand up when fleshing so I'm looking down at the blade. I tried sitting once and it just was to uncomfortable for me even when I owned the dakotaV.

[George Roof]

In MY opinion, you need to look right down that blade.  The left side doesn't tell you anything.  It's the right side that can't be fixed once you've made that swipe anyway.  I know as my blade dulls, I end up looking at the left side only because I"m having to pull so hard with my right hand I'm using the blade cowl for leverage.  When the blade is smoking sharp, I'm looking right down over it.

[slomj]

Thank You George!

[Hudson]

I posted on the other category, I do as George suggests. Once the guards are set I just grip the hide and start making passes, I also watch the hide as it passes the blade. This gives me the chance to evaluate the shaving that I am doing and it sets up my next pass. I stand on the right side of the machine, this gives me more leverage on large hides.

[Dennis Bragg]

Well all has been said. I do it exactly like George stated and I stand also. I still use a IV for the face.

[slomj]

Thanks Guys!
Jim