I would really like some info on what you all feel would be the best flesher for me to purchase. I would be using this flesher to thin mostly heavier leathered furbearers and maybe an occasioanl deer cape. I would like to know specific models and brands that would fit my need the best without costing me an arm a and a leg..
Thanks
Chris
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Fist of all Chris let me say fleshing machines (shaving) do not cost they save! when you get one, and you should if you do enough stuff, you will know what I mean! My advice would be to get ahold of Gerald Teisher from Quebec Fleshing machines and find out which one of his models would work best for your application. The Beaver fleshing machines I believe to be the finest but are on the higher $ end. Hope this helps ya. If you go into the archives you will probably run into one of his posts under"fleshing Machines" and can get his E-mail address from there. Brad
Van Dykes.....perfect for what you need....
good for a few bigger capes
I personally would suggest the Dakota IV from VANDYKES. I have fleshed animals as small as mink/squirrels to bears and zebra's on my flesher. It is easy to adjust, quiet, and AFFORDABLE! This is one of the smallest fleshers available but what I like about it is that I can flesh the face of a fox, leg of a mink or squirrel, or huge animal like bear and zebra! From the hard to get to spots to the huge areas of these animals this machine works great. Once you find your comfort zone, the fleshing will just be like 2nd nature. Give the people at VANDYKES a call and they'll be happy to help you. Good Luck and I know you'll like this machine. Dan Hudzik
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Hi Chris,
Check my web site on the Quebec Fleshing Machines www.atreide.net/fleshing You will read all about what to expect from a machine and see pictures of the machine in action. Dont forget to read the article I wrote in Taxidermy Today's Sept. issue.
It stands to reason, whoo neads to flesh a mink leg and expects that same machine to be quick and efficient on Zebras. A mini flesher can't take a wider bite than one inch or less compared to a twelve inch blade that can remouve 5-6-7 inches wide and 15- 20 inches long and with complete controle. I can understand one likes his machine but we are not stupid.
Gerry
Chris,
Please feel free to call me at 1-800-843-3320 Ext. 212 regarding the Dakota Fleshers. I have been in on the ground floor R&D of these machines and will be glad to speak with you regarding them.Ask for me by name or extension number and the girls will patch you right through.
Robert E.Phillips
Product Manager
Van Dykes Taxidermy Division
I use a bench grindr with a course stone on one side, and a wire wheel on the other. I can flesh a deer hide as fast as with fleshing machine, I just don't have to sharpen blades. I have used this grinder on everything from squirrel to buffalo. It works great and is alot cheaper than a fleshing machine. I can shave skins right down to eyelids and the hole septumand lips. not to mention thin down the ear cartlige for when i use bondo. I would give it a try. If you flesh just after salting the first time the process is fast, but don'tlet skin get to dry.
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bought a Dakota,just got it today. watched the video that came with it, i do intend on using it to thin capes only at this point.
i've been using a fleshing beam and a draw shave for more years than in care to remember. often thought about how long it takes someone to flesh a deer with a machine. according to the video, with a lot of practice i'll be able to FLESH a deer in 20 to 30 min. not bad, only added approx. 15 minutes minimum to the time it takes me to do one on a beam! not blowing my own horn here but i can and do flesh and salt a deer cape in 20 min.! yes, i still have to thin it afterwards but so do the people who use a machine. even the so called hard to flesh boars are no match for a good knife and beam. i like to time myself doing different jobs around the shop to give me an idea about pricing. i'm sure i'm not the only one who does this. the longest time i have ever spent doing a boar is 1 hr 10 min. average time is about 40 min, depending on how much shield there is. i know people that spend 2 hrs. or more on a boar! maybe some one out there can explain why so many taxidermists dont use a beam and knife, seems to me that my way is faster, if i do get a hole going i can see it coming and stop myself before i end up with something i could throw a cat through
i'm sure that i will like the dakota as a thinning machine after i give it a chance, but as a fleshing machine ?
i am not busting on the dakota machine or name, it is what i bought after all, i'm talking about fleshing machines in general
just my opion, i've been wrong before and i'm sure there will be no lack of people out there telling me i'm wrong again
I have a Dakota IV, it works, it does the job for what I need it for although I wished the Quebec lite was available when I purchased mine. After seeing the Quebec lite at a show I felt personally it was built better. If you do buy the IV, buy the tape from Quebec so you can actually see how to use it. I was in contact with Mr. Phillips previously about the problems I was experiencing with the poor video performance of the tape supplied with the Dakota IV (I mailed him a copy of the letter I had previously sent to Van Dykes to complain after contacting him via e-mail) but never received a response. Never received a response afterwards.
Hate to pop your bubble bud but yes I do flesh mink legs to zebras. I didn't say it doesn't take a while. As a matter of fact anyone that knows anything about the fleshing machines already would know that but this gentlemen that asked for our advise is getting advise because he wants it and obviously doesn't know about them like some of us do. Gerard, I don't think anyone on this site is stupid just ignorant once in a while. Sorry if I hurt your feeling by suggesting the Dakota IV. I will tell you this though. When I was first starting and looking at fleshing machines do you know what I was told? I was told by Van Dykes to shop around and check as many out as I could? Sounds to me like that was a smart and PROFESSIONAL suggestion. Showed they had confidence in their fleshing machines.
Chris I do have pics of the zebra and the bears if you care to see them. Chris I have fleshed with the Eager Beaver and a Quebec flesher and yes, I stick by my guns, DAKOTA IV! Call Bob he'll be more than happy to help you. As Gerard stated the bigger fleshers do remove more at one time but you have to remember faster isn't always better. Quality and pricing sounds like your objective. If so then if you want to spend $889.99 I think you may be able to get the Dakota IV and the Dakota V. This is the small and the large flesher. If you would like, I will scan the back of Van Dykes catalog and email it to you. It shows the picture of both fleshing machines. Just like you Chris I like to spend my money wisely and in a way that it BENEFITS ME! Good Luck and feel free to email me any questions. Would love to help in any way I can. Dan Hudzik
I've been wondering about trying this method. Wouldn't be better to do this after pickling the hide to plump it up? The only ones I've done I've done by hand, and not that it was too bad, but I've heard the wire wheel is faster, but messier.
I,ve done it before and after pickling. If you do after pickling were rubber gloves so you don't acid burn your hands. I knew most of these guys are not interested in a cheap way of fleshing, but i know you new guys that don't have 500 dollars to spend right now would appreciate another method that you can afford. I've been useing this grinder for over ten years. I fleshed with a draw knife and board before that. It works, period.