I read where a few guys in the archives have used an air compressor to remove deer ear cartilage.
They stated that they started the cartilage removal by peeling up a small area toward the ear base, and then inserting a modeling tool between the ear skin and cartilage, just to make a small pocket large enough to fit the end of an air compressor blowing tip into this pocket.
He set the air compressor at 125 PSI, and gave one good blast (nozzle facing toward the tip). He "said" that he used the method on over 100 deer heads, and none had blown out?
Has anyone else used this method? I would like to give it a try, and probably will on a spare cape, but just wondering who all has done this, and what the results were.
I'm not looking for a huge time saver or cure all for cartilage removal, but I am looking for a way to separate the occasional deer ear that likes to pull hair through while I'm peeling the cartilage.
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Sound like a good recipe for alot of sewing and super gluing of ears to me I wouldnt try it, but if you have a spare cape give it a try you never know. It could just turn out to be something good.. Let us know. Good luck, Kevin
That's also what I thought myself, but never hurts to ask I guess. If I give it a shot, I'll post a follow up.
The Air Skinner was originally patented in the 1800 for skinning cows at the processing plants. It has been repatented for the fourth time a couple of years ago. I was first shown the air skinner with the regards of it being used to skin or separate deer ears, since the I have talked to the manufacture and he instructed me to try it in all of my taxidermy work. The only thing it does not help with is beaver, bear, and hogs due to the amount of fat you have to deal with. Check out my web for some information on the Air Skinner and give me a call if I can help you Understand the operation of the Air Skinner. Don
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