DIY BIRD FLESHER

[mako]

First thing I like to say , this site it fantastic . Very professional.  I'm making my own flesher. I got the  layout planned but don't no what rpms I should use . I think 1700 is to slow but 3000 might be too fast. What do you think? Thanks for your help 

 Tom A.

[kevbooth]

I helped a guy build one, and he used an electric fan motor with variable speed control.  I think he bought the fan at a second hand store for cheap.  To my knowledge he's still using it.  I just machined an adapter for him to go from the fan shaft to the wire wheel.

Just an idea.

Later,
Kev

[CChampion]

Mako,
What size tumbler are you making?  Would you be intrested in sharing the plans or how did you get some.  I have been googling and searching for some and found a couple that I am fixing to tinker with.  I just want a small tumbler for 1 duck at a time.  I don't do taxi for a living just as fun right now so I don't need anything big.  Welcome to the site, so far it has been very helpful to me. Clark

[mako]

Unfortunately  my tumbler is a  5gal . bucket that I roll around for a while. I'm just starting out and haven't moved up to a motorized tumbler yet. But I will make my own when I have time . Ive been fleshing on a table grinder and that is getting old quick. What a mess that makes plus the wife says it smell fishy , seaducks , in the basement. Me and my old man  own a machine shop so making and getting parts is not a problem. I got some motors but don't no which one  to use, to  much speed might burn the skins on the wirewheel .

[lineman23]

the motor that came with mine is a  1/10 hp bought it from vandykes works very well no prob as of yet

[CChampion]

Yeah, 5 gal is what I am thinking of.  Got a 1/10hp used motor that runs great and pulley system.  Just have to incorp the rest.

[python12]

I keep hearing the 1/10 hp motor is good..
I have an old homemade flesher w/a 1 hp motor on it, altho not sure
what the rpms are..was gonna pull it outta the mess it is under today,
but looks like tomorrow will be the day for that..
I havent used it for yrs, but am planning on firing it up again
and seeing how well it works, or how many holes I can put in a skin..

[Zimmie]

I'm in the process of making my own flesher as well.  I have a 1/2 HP motor and I think it has 1750 RPM's.  If I remember correctly, the one in McKenzie is a 1/10 HP motor and runs at 1550 RPM's.  I hope my 1/2 HP isn't too much.  Any other thoughts on this please let me know.
Ryan

[j_scott]

i actually used a sump pump motor bought it at harbor freight to make my flesher and it works good haven't had any problems with it yet although this is the first time i have used it was this year not sure on the RPM's but i took off the pump part and bought a collar to attach the wire wheel and poof it worked

[jerogers]

My flesher turns 1750 and it works great. 

[mako]

thanks guys for the info.

[tara4574]

my husband made me one out of an old box fan motor and built a shaft, cut a 55 gal barrel, and put the shaft through.  I've only used it on 6 birds but it works great. 
MAKO- I know what you mean about the smell thing only it's  my HUSBAND that won't go down stairs because he says it smells too fishy, stanky, whatever you want to call it....
If you hear of any cheap ways to make a tumbler, I'm interested....the Home Depot bucket is about to get tossed to the other side of the basement....getting sick of rolling and rolling and rolling......

[mooser]

I am no bird expert, but I would try to stay around the 1/10 hp for the simple reason, if the wheel does catch a feather or something it doesn't suck the WHOLE bird in and ruin it.  The 1/10 hp will usually stop with minimal damage.  As far as the tumbler if you are trying to stay cheap, use a hair dryer.  For a tumbler that will not beat up the feathers will cost a bit more to build or buy.  Good Luck

[thestuffedbird]

I just built my flesher from some scrap plywood and leftover dry wall screws (which everyone has).  I sealed it with left over primer,  left over spar varnish, and left over caulk on the seams.  I bought a bore bit to drill a hole to allow me to insert my  hand drill.  There is a 1 inch neck before the chuck that seats in the hole.  I hold the drill snug to the box with a bungie cord across the hand grip, and the wire brush has good rpms.  I am going to mount a surge protector on the outside of the box with a switch for my kill switch.  My drill works great for fleshing as I used to just strap it down to a wood frame and fat flew everywhere.  When I renovated my basement, I had to replace a few ceiling tiles. 

For my tumbler I use an old dryer bought for next to nothing.  It has baffles and good drop for bird skins.  I throw in some hardwood sawdust, and use the air only setting.  If you're worried about fire, just detach the heat coil.  I have my "tumbler" right next to my dryer, and can share the plug-in between the two.  My wife just loves sawdust on the laundry room floor, but I guess she loves me more.  When I remove the bird I remove it into a deep rubbermaid container where I can shake out excess sawdust and return it to the dryer.  Find a local cabinet maker.  All their machinery has vacuum catchers, and they work with mainly hardwood.  They are usually happy to give it to you in your deep rubbermaid container. 

If anyone is interested, I can take some photos of my flesher setup.

Neil 

[rc5211]

I just complete one I used a 1/8 HP.1725 RPMs,1/2" shaft Oil burner motor from E-bay $25.00 Shipped .Mandrell and 6" fine brush from lowes $15.00 ,Lexan shield $30.00 Shipped from E-bay, scrap plywood from work,I sealed the inside with clear lacquer, so I have around $70.00 dollars in it,I have only used it once since I build it and it worked great........Rick