I'm wanting to learn taxidermy, and was wondering what tools a beginner would need.
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Hello Bob!
I am also new to taxidermy and am probably not the best one to respond but I will give it a shot. I am assuming you will be starting with birds and small mammals. If this is the case you really need a scalpal. This is available for about $5 plus blades. This is an indispensable item for any taxidermist. You really cannot imagine how helpful this is compared to a knife. Also, you will need many basic home improvement type tools: hack saw, wire cutters, plyers, etc. In addition you will want to pick up a fleshing knife for fleshing your hides. You will find that while tools are important, most of the common tools you will use around the garage or workshop will be helpful in the taxidermy studio as well.
If you want to spend a little money a drummel tool is handy.
The most important thing for you to do is to dive in and mount some things. This means that most of your money will be spent on forms, eyes, epoxy, jaw juice, wire, Critter Clay,etc, dry preservative or Liqua-Tan, etc. These things will help tremendously in getting you off to a good start. I myself am in this stage right now. I have only mounted two crows, two full mount coons, one open mouth shoulder mount coon and two mink. But I am starting to feel like I am getting the hang of this.
Good luck and God bless you!
Michael
try the manuals and videos from WASCO or another company if you prefer, they often list the tools needed for the job at hand. there is no short list of tools needed. you need skinning tools, knives, scalpels, sharpeners, fleshers,etc..mounting tools, staplers, pliers, pins,needles,thread,etc..finishing tools,staplers,brushes,glue,paints,these are all tools as well as saws,hacksaws,bone saws,wire,bondo,various glues, pastes,paints,dremel tool,fore-dom tool,glue gun,etc..