Getting ready to do my first turkey. Read the Breakthrough, read some articles but want some opinions. I do not have a wire wheel and need to know the best way to remove flesh from turkeys w/o one. Does anyone have special techniques or helpful hints to give me? I was thinking of trying the pressure washer but am not well versed with this method. Thanks in advance.
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$0.99 from the hardware store... It's what I use for all my birds. Joe
i use my dewalt 5" grinder, with a regular wire wheel from the welding supply store. it is messy and slings stuff everywhere but works great. (as long as you are careful)
lee
For years, curved blade scissors were the only tools we used. Theys still work quite well.
There is in no way shape or form that scissors work as well as a wire wheel flesher, and you know that George. Do you use scissors? I wouldn't believe it if you said yes. Why would you suggest them, when they just can't even come close to time and effort along with quality cleaning of flesh and fat. Don't get me wrong, for years they were the tool of choice, and do have their place for removing large areas of fat, like around the legs of ducks. but tell me that you don't cut quills trying to get close. I say go spend the money and do it right.
did you even read the first post? I doubt George thinks scissors are as good as a wire wheel but thats what bb was asking for, something besides a whire wheel. Geeze!
I don't use it, but someone who does told me that they lay the skin out and spray it. They had the electric power washer from wal mart. Heard someone talking about it during the world show. This is about all I remember. It was during a strutting turkey seminar, mayby you can get the video. I know its not much info here, but I hope it helps.
Scott
Thanks for the info Joe and George. I think I'll stick with some scissors and a brass brush. I'd love to use a wire wheel but I think I better try a couple of turkeys before I invest in one.
I have a turkey course that will teach you how to mount a perfessional turkey your customers will really like.1 week course 48 hours.If interested e-mail me your mailing address and I will send you a school catalog with all the information in it.
THANK YOU
RON
Yes indeed I did read the entire original post. If people want a half arsed job, go with a half arsed tool. I'm just trying to tell BB for the small cost of a flesher, you might as well do the job right. BB you'll end up getting the job done, and probably think that your turkey looks inferior, and indeed it probably will. I'm just trying to emphasize that how can you gauge your work when it wasn't done as well as it could or should have been done. Another note. George is more than capable of defending himself! He's critiqued me in the past and I didn't whine about it. More often than not, I actually agree with him. I just hate to see people thinking taxidermy comes with little or no investment. I think as a taxidermist it is your duty to keep up with the latest and greatest techniques that MODERN taxidermy has to offer. A person can wrap forms or shape their own, but they make premolded (properly shaped) forms. You can use the original head, (on a bird) but they make artificials. There are many other ways to mount a bird, but that doesn't mean that they look as good as they could. The new tools and techniques help two-fold. They typically make a better looking mount, and they save you time which in turn saves you money. Money you can spend on the tools, artificial heads and bodies, quality glass eyes, a tube of caulk, and if need be lessons for the "old school" taxidermists out there. LOL! By the way George, I do have respect for you. I've seen your work, and have read your posts, (which usually have good input) so please in no way take my first post as a personal slam on you. I know that you would have to agree with me for the most part. Pete
Buy a wire wheel and do one turcky and may not ever do another sounds like a waste to me