I've been doing alot of reading on the various models of fleshing machines and have decided its time to save some money up for one. Up until now I've just been scraping with an exacto knife. Earlier today I tried the wire wheel method just to get a rough idea how a machine differs from hand scraping. I'm thinking about getting either the Dakota IV or V. I'm just a hobbyist as they say, 95% of what I do is just small mammal rugs for around the house so I don't think a larger model is really that important at this point in time.
The only doubt I have about these machines are, how messy are they? Is there some sort of trap at the back to catch all the bits of flesh/fat? The belt grinder did a good job on the hide but it was also constantly throwing tiny bits of flesh in my face. Any wisdom on the messyness or cleaning up of fleshing machines in general would be greatly appreciated!
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To answer you question, the good machines are very efficient and "clean" though you're going to have to deal with flesh and fat being dumped off the blade. I use a machine with a chute and I've built my table so that it feeds directly into a sliding plastic trash container (I slide the container out from under the blade as I finish a job and in to start all over).
Having said all that, "small mammals" yearns for a quality machine. The machines you mention are "production" machines. Their adjustments and capabilities are no where close to the "professional" models and you're likely to damage more of your work because of these crude adjustments.
The great thing about a top end machine is just like the difference when you go to trade cars. If you have a Hyundai, you won't get nearly as much out of it as you will a Ford or Chevy. By the same token, they won't get as much as a Lexus. If you spend the roughly $1200 on Van Dykes Pro Series or a Rawhide, or an Eager Beaver or Quebec's top end machine, it's an investment you'll get most of your money back from. I see a lot of Dakota's offered here for half or less than half of what they cost. Most of all, it will have made your work easier and a whole lot "cleaner".
With shaving machines most is kept to the fall out shute in the back.
There is a bit of grease that flies from the blade it leaves a nice line on the wall, but overall its a very neat operation.
You may want to look into a mini flesher, does a good job and It not nearly as pricey.
Thanks for the quick responses! Of course I expect there to be some mess invovled, I was just hoping to hear that a real flesher would contain waste better then the belt grinder does.
I have lots of time to look over the various models and decide on which one, but I am limited somewhat in funds. I just finished college (graphic design program) which has done terrible things to my bank account obviously. When I've managed to wrangle 800 dollars or so I'll start searching for a used model perhaps.
Thanks again!
It certainly DOES do that. They all have cowls on them and as PB stated, they have chutes. As far as the grease line on the wall, that too can be avoided. I bought a sheet of Lexan and when I have a bear, a beaver, or a hog or someother slimy cretin, I bolt the shield on to the opposite side of the flesher. All my grease is contained right there and I don't have to take advance skiing lessons on the concrete floor.
if you want clean, the mini flesher is not what you want, and if you get the air driven model, you need a large air compressor to feed it. So I have read, in the archive.