I was wondering how long it takes you guys to do an average whitetail shoulder mount from the time you have a tanned hide and pull the mannikin out of the box, to the time you finish for drying, prior to painting. I know it takes me about 8 or 9 hours depending on the length of the incision. But I am awful picky, Does this seem like a long time?
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Tanned cape, Mounting on Mannikin. Takes me about 2.5 hours.its everything before and after that takes the time.
One reason is some work faster than others. I am slow it takes me about 4 hours to mount and another two hours to finish.
I know several taxis that can crank out 4 deerheads per day.
Good luck
I think I am in the 7 hour mark.....but I take my time with certain things. I think what slows me down is the sewing....but I hope to speed up once I get time under my belt.
I've been in this business since I was knee high to a grasshopper and it still takes me 6-8 hours......and I'm now 56 years old. Is everyone adding in the time for phone calls, mailings, notices, ordering, etc.? Maybe I should fire myself.
With cape prep and mannikin prep it takes 6-8 hours with a minimum of interruptions. With every thing taken into account, that is all the salting and preping before the tanner, ordering everything, dealing with the customer at both ends, finishing and bookeeping, I figure close to 14-16 hours in the average deer head, start to finish. The hidden costs(time expenditures) will kill you if you don't keep them in mind.
Roughly 15 mins preping form (I sand blast and typically do them in groups), 15 minutes antler to form prep, 30 minutes shaving (I use wet tan so soaking is not required), 15 minutes on ears, 15 minutes stretching hide and test fitting, 15 minutes setting eyes (after cape is slid over form) 30 minutes sewing, 10 minutes applying glue, 15 minutes taxi-ing the skin around, 15 minutes tucking, 15 minutes grooming. This is when all goes well, if the form needs to be altered add time, if the cape has holes add time, etc.
When I started reading it I though, "What the hell is with this guy. I'm probably closer to Tenbears." But THEN the light came on. You know, you're absolutely right. I'll take out two hides to mount in one day and usually end up with one of them in the fridge for tomorrow for exactly the reason you gave. Great post.
This last one I just finished took about 7 hours to install earliners,eyes,hide adhesive,put cape on and mount.Didn't have the skull plate pre-fit so had to trim to size,boil,etc. This stuff usually goes quickly but I spend too much time prepping the cape.I had 3 hours in shaving,thinning,turning ears,nose,lips,eyes.I feel that how you have your shop set up is important as to being organized and having everything you need within hands reach will greatly reduce time.If you have had to stop and search for something for very long you can understand.I am in the middle of remodeling my shop and I tell you,trying to get both jobs done is a chore.Hang in there because I have found that the more repetitve work you do,the faster you natrually get!
driving a car, everyone has their own speed. Having your shop laid out properly and avoiding things that could slow you down are important. I average 1 hour on the form,antlers,eyes, etc., and 3 1/2 to 4 hrs mounting, providing their are minor interruptions. Finishing time varys depending on how well I mounted but usually stays under 1 hr.
It used to take me a solid 8 just to mount when I first started, but just like everything else, the more you do, the better and faster you get.