For a hobby taxidermist who doesn't have the $$ to invest in a hide flesher, what is the next best method to properly thin mammal hides for life size and rug mounts?
Keith,
There's a difference between fleshing and shaving hides. Fleshing can be done with a hunting knife at worst, a scalpel at best. For thinning the hides, however, the round knife stands alone. If you can't affort the fancy fleshing machines that do this, your best, cheapest, quickest method is to send it out and have it done commercially.
TRY USING A FLESHING BEAM AND A DRAW SHAVE!NOT REAL FANCY BUT IT SURE DOES A DECENT JOB.FOR THINNING TRY AN AIR DRIVEN MINI-FLESHER.
i began doing deer taxidermy last year and fleshed five deer by hand with a knife and scissors. it took me approximately five hours per hide and the skin was uneven and caused numerous holes. this hear i invested in a flesh all mini-flesher for $180 prior to the season. with my mini-flesher it takes me approximately forty five minutes per deer and the hide is thin and even and no holes to sew. i think most professionals on this forum would say that a full sized fleshing machine is still superior but if your on a budget as i am and could not afford the full sized version the mini-flesher fills the gap nicely. if you choose to get a mini-flesher consider that you will also have to acquire an air compressor which could push the cost way up,however, if you are serious about taxidermy you will need an air compressor anyway for things such as your airbrush. just my opinion. hope it helps.
Just purchased a red fox frozen. don't know if I should tan myself, or send off to tannery. I tanned a bobcat with luftan, it turn out great. Don't want to mess up on this fox . Read in archives fox slip easy. This is my first fox. I think ,If I follow what I'm suppose to do, I will be okay.
Any Info will be app. I guess I'm just nervous,
ASKING ON YOUR EXPERIENCE,
THANKS ALOT,
Wayne
Just purchased a red fox frozen. don't know if I should tan myself, or send off to tannery. I tanned a bobcat with luftan, it turn out great. Don't want to mess up on this fox . Read in archives fox slip easy. This is my first fox. I think ,If I follow what I'm suppose to do, I will be okay.
Any Info will be app. I guess I'm just nervous,
ASKING ON YOUR EXPERIENCE,
THANKS ALOT,
Wayne