I have just started tanning my first deer hide. i kinda screwed this oe up when fleshing it(theres a few extra holes in it) lol. I was wondering hwo i should flesh m next one what is best to do. I have read the pressuer washer idea and like it but dont have a pressure washer. and also what would you recomend as far as tanning method for a beginner? i would apreciate any advice i could get
Thank you
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Among many of the great things I have learned in here, this is right up there at the top! Get a PVC pipe..(i'm using a 6 inch but go bigger if you like). I tapered the work end of the pipe to accomodate the muzzle of a deer or whatever you have on it, then attached a huge hinge to the bottom end of the pipe. I have a 2x4 that runs through the inside of the PVC, and attched it by countersinking some screws through the PVC and into the wood.
The hinge is attached to the bottom of the pipe, and the other side of the hinge is screwed into the wall. It works like a champ. When I want to flesh, I fold the pipe down from the wall, drape the cape over, and get the draw knife and go to town. Saved a GREAT deal of time over the old wooden beam that I was using.
Be sure to cut small crosshatches in the PVC to aid in holding the skins on, so they dont slide off the side.
When I'm done with the beam, I spray with a little lysol/water mix, rub it with a towel, and fold it back up against the wall and hook it at the top. It's out of the way, and always there ready for action. The PVC works better becuase you have so much more surface area under the cape, allowing you to to scrape more at at a time before re-adjusting the cape on the beam.
I have read your post over and over and am trying to picture this.
So does the PVC pipe gp all the way to the floor? Oris it like waist high and then you drop it down parallel with floor? Hoe long is this pipe? 5'? 3'? How long does it take you to flesh out a deer? Even with the cross hatches I amthinking the cape wouldn't be too stable. I have to clamp it on the 1x8 that I use. And you are using a draw knife, so are you fleshing towards you or away?
an easy tan would be Liqua tan, then a follow up with Liqua Soft oil. The hide will be soft but will still need some breaking, ( made soft).
The pipe is about 5 1/2 feet long. Its waist high at the business end, and goes down to the floor where it meets the wall. And yes, you flesh by scraping away from you toward the floor. The hinge on the floor end is on the top side of the PVC pipe, and connects to the wall. If you want, it may be easier if I sent you a picture -let me know.
Takes 10 or 15 minutes to completely flesh the cape using the pipe. (I do the face fleshing while on the work bench after splitting and turning, then the rest gets done on the PVC.
What exactly are you refering to ?
Took a used scalpel, and made a crosshatch..(checker) pattern into the PVC. Just slice one way, then the other in quarter inch increments. It will hold the cape fairly well. They don't have to be real deep, just enough to feel the small cuts on the pipe as you run your hand across it. Some people use sandpaper also I guess, but I haven't tried it.
Just might try it, thanks !
J Best if you could end me a picture of the invention i would apreciate it. I like te whole idea sounds like it would work good. Just send me the pic to the e-mail address above please. THANK YOU for the idea.
No problem, I'll send a pic to you soon. Also, note that this is not my invention, the only part I have added is the hinge part. Everything else came straight from the archives from the great people in here.