How thin can you possibly shave a skin without a fleshing machine? I have tried everything possible to get my hides thin to try and get as much stretch as possible but I just can't seem to get the stretch I should be getting. I would like to get a machine but right now it's just not in the budget being that I have a new baby. I know fleshing is the biggest thing in taxidermy and I try to do my best at fleshing without the machine, but is it possible to get the skin white without the machine? I think this is why alot of beginners use DP. I like tanning my own stuff,but they just dont come out the way I expect them to. Any comments or suggestions? I am open to anything.
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First and formost dont over strtch the hide a 18 inch deer should go on a 18 inch form. I know several inexperienced taxidermist that have been strtching hides, you can force a 18 inch cape over a 21 inch form. You will have seams bust, DRUMMING lips pull, slant eyed deer antler burrs will pull away, the ear butts will end up somewhere on the neck, not where the should be on the form.
Now to flesh a cape thin, simply use a large diameter piece of pvc water pipe, and single edged commercial razor blades (about $5.00 at the auot paint supply store) hold the blade at a 90 degree angle to the cape and drag toward you. You will develope speed as you gain experience, you can also pull the cape down so thin you can tear it will mounting, I would not go any thinner than 1/8 of a inch. Use a good hide Adhesive like EPO-GRIP from Newton Supply or WASCO this will also help the problems of a beginner using this fleshing technique, unevenness.
when you get doen with what JohnC told you, take a hand snader (walmart 20 something bucks) and while it is on the pvc sand it smooth.
Dave