I just started using a cross-sectioned piece of PVC pipe as a fleshing beam and like it, but the surface is so slick that hides tend to "slide" to the side that there is still meat on. Has anyone tried to rough up the PVC or something to provide some friction to hold the hide in place? I've thought of rough sanding, chemical etching, or filing, and can't decide what would be best.
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I had the same problem, a little 36 grit and ruff it up will end your sliding problem.
I published that idea about 5 yars back in FUR FISH GAME magazine and my suggestion was to use the vise grip clamping pliers with the rubber cupped ends. The hide is worked at the nose cone area and I clamp the rubber pads over the hide at the nose cap.
I wonder how painting with epoxy adhesive and the sprinkling with sand will work?
Haven't tried it with deer capes, but faced the same problem in fleshing furs from the trapline. So, I took a jigsaw and cut a groove two inches down from the tip of the beam across the tip. On the base, I attached a board to act sort of like a treddle (sp) on an old sewing machine, hinged at the end toward the base of the beam. Then, I took a length of rope and attached it to both side of the treddle board, making a loop that, when passed over the top of the beam and seasted into the groove you made, will leave the up end of the treddle about two inches off the base of the beam stand. Now, I just slide the hide onto the beam and position it to flesh, bring the rope up over the hide and seat it in the groove, trapping the hide in place. Stand on the treddle to hold the hide snug and go to work. You just have to be careful not to get the fleshing knife into the groove or things get torn up.