WHAT WOULD BE THE EASIEST WAY TO REMOVE THE FAT? I'M TIERD OF RIPPING MY BIRD'S, I'M A BEGINNER IT'S GOING TO BANKRUPT ME, SO ANY
HELP WOULD BE GREATFULL.
THANK'S A LOT KIM
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Kim, When you skin out most critters you try to take the skin off real clean so that there's not much flesh to remove. Birds are done differently. Take the skin off and leave lots of fat and even a little muscle on the skin. In this way you avoid the little cuts and tears to the skin. Next use a wire wheel bird flesher to GENTLY remove the fat and bits of flesh from the skin before washing. Now, lots of people use a fine wire wheel for the job but I find that a medium wheel works better. The medium wheel is a bit stiffer but the wires are a little larger and though it sounds a little backwards, the medium wire being stiffer and lareger in diametor it doesn't cut the skin as easily as the thinner fine wheel. If you don't have a wire wheel flesher get one. It is an esential tool in bird taxidermy and will quickly pay for itself. Enjoy, Aaron H.
I find a medium copper wire wheel better it is softer than steel and won't rip the skins as badly.
but, I've never used a wire wheel for fleshing in my life. Now, don't get me wrong...you CAN do a good job with one providing you learn how to use it properly.
I skin the birds without 'leaving much fat on the skins' and have no problem whatsoever with cutting holes in the skins by doing so...it's 'the touch' of the scalpel and cartilage knife...like 'the touch' when using a wire wheel.
Just don't get a stroke when the wheel grabs your skin and rips it out of your hand or tears it to shreds while you're learning to use it properly.
If you can...watch a demonstration from somebody who owns own...or while attending a seminar at one of the conventions.
You don't require a wire wheel...just an optional tool.
about not using a wire wheel for fleshing.
I have and do use wire wheels and buffing wheels for polishing Electroplated items. It requires a delicate touch.
Too heavy a pressure can cause burns in the copper plate...
as well as making holes in skins of birds with the wire wheel.
I choose to spend a longer time using the curved scissors to remove as much of the fat as I can before I use the wheel. Thus spending considerable less time on the fleshing wheel. If you're not comfortable using the powered fleshing wheel you can always do it the old fashion way with a soft hand held scrub brush works as well it takes alittle more time. Practice and take you time, you'll get it good luck LOL Pete