I am a beginner in taxidermy. I love to waterfowl hunt so that is what I am trying to accomplish. For the Most part I am learning by myself and video's I have got the skining down but I am having troubles getting thru the fleshing I built my own Flesher and I try and try but before the fat is gone the flesher seems to get thru to the feathers I am sure it is just developing the touch but can anyone give me advise that would help me to get pass this step thank you. Brian
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Brian, this might help, I know it helped me when I started learning how to use the wire wheel. Instead of thinking about brushing the fat off, think about melting it away. Be very gentle and barely touch the wheel to the fat. You will see the fat liquefy and start to run. This thinking has really helped me and I find that I don't put many holes in the skin anymore. It will happen now and then, but not nearly as much. Also, put you fingers under the skin as you go and make sure there is some give between your fingers, the skin, and the wheel. Hope this helps.
That's about as good of an explaination as I've seen Brian. And your right on the money Jim. I'm a beginner as well but I've graduated from the "Fleshing" OJT stage. (at least I think I have) Gentle is the key.
I also follow that up with washing in Dawn after fleshing and then soak in a degreaser for an hour or so. I then go over it with a pair of scissor for anything that may be left left.
May be a little over kill, but my birds alll come out good.
Have fun
pat
Thank you for your response I will have to give that a try with my next bird
Another thing, I've found helpful is to take scissors or some small diagnol pliers and pull off the heavy/thick fat before you begin fleshing with the wheel. It seems to speed up the fleshing and keeps you from hitting one spot too long. Also helps keep the wheel from grabbing any large pieces. Just be careful not to pull on the fat too hard or you might rip the skin. This is especially true around the tail and I prefer not to do this on the breast areas where the quills stick out so much.