Submitted by Damon on 8/30/99. ( GEngel039@aol.com ) 152.163.189.129
First off, I want to thank everyone who has given anybody here advice. I couldn't tell you just how much I have learned from these forums and the Chat Room (why is it I can work on the computer all day, and the kids wait until I get on the "chats" to fight?!). It's not like you guys giving the information have nothing else to do--I realize all of you have "day jobs", too, and I just wanted to once again thank you all!
Now, my question....I have a beaver I am mounting life size. I was wondering what to do with the tail--I saw this question answered earlier, and for the life of me, I couldn't find it when I scrolled thru.
If I use an artificial one, how much of the original do I leave on? Or can I flesh and tan the real thing?
Also, degreasing. Would it "hurt" to degrease several times, such as before the pickle bath, during, after, then again right before mounting (after tanning). If I did this, should I use several different solutions? I used Dawn dishwashing solution in the middle of the pickle bath (it's still in there), then want to use Kemsol Degreaser.
Sorry about being long winded, and once again, thanks for all the advice, past, present and future!
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This response submitted by Mark on 8/30/99. ( fishguy@scc.net ) 209.32.143.48
Damon, when I mount beavers I usually cut tail off down to where the tail and hair meet. The artificial tails seem to work better. I have tried to use real ones in past but they shrink and are alot more work. As for dgreasing it is personal preference on what you use I usually degrease using some kind of dgreser such as eliminator from van dykes or super solvent from Rittels. After the hide is relaxed and then after the pickle. Good luck, Mark
This response submitted by Keith Daniels on 8/31/99. ( arlcape@bright.net ) 205.212.120.254
Hi Damon, you can use the real tail without any problems if you want, Carol does it all the time. You can flesh and tan it just like the rest of the skin. If you've already skinned it, you know there's a lot of gristle to take out, and make sure you split it all the way to the edges. If you make sure and get it real clean, you'll have no problems at all with shrinkage or distortion when it dries. Beaver are greasy, but your pickle and one de-greasing bath will take care of it just fine, the same de-greaser you're using on your bear will do great. keith
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