Well I seen in one place, they said you could buy plans from them for about $40 to build a flesher. Has anyone ever heard of someone doing this? We have just started and realized we need to invest in a flesher of some sort. We don't have the money to invest in something that cost several hundred dollars. But if we have to; we will. I just wanted to know if anyone knew the basic concept the flesher was built on or maybe some plans I could get. Thanks "guys" for your time!
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Save the headaches. Beg borrow or steal the money. It will pay for itself.
Of course if you're into that "Monster Garage" stuff just ignore this advice.
Found this with the search feature:
http://www.taxidermy.net/forums/TanningArticles/03/b/03B31D95CA.html
Whatever did "The Rookie" decide to do? Make, buy, or continue by hand?
I am one to build something before I would ever buy it and in some cases this can work but in others it has really cost me alot of time ( time is money they say ) but I say time is 1000 times more valuable than money as you can always make more money, but time ?........invest in a machine like the Dakota brand from Van Dykes or a Quebec lite and if you want to upgrade later , the machine holds it's value very well. I have a Dakota 5 and truly love it and have no plans to upgrade. B.Bishop
If you want to build something , you will need to build a table for any bench model you buy. B.Bishop
I was in the same position as you are about 4 yrs ago. I am a design engineer by trade, and i designed one around the blades and guards of a Dakota flesher. I have used it to thin about 75 or 80 deer capes and it works very well. I bought the blade and gurds from Van Dykes. If you know someone that has access to a milling machine and a lathe you can do it pretty easy. If you are interested e mail me.
Now I know we need to do what we need to, money is always tough. Setting up a shop and business yet no money for the equipment needed spells a disaster in any other biz. Ill say this tongue in cheek, but take it the right way. You guys will build your own flesher, and ask in here how to do it. Theres folks who sell them new in here, and guys trying to sell off older ones so they themselves can upgrade. OK, that takes some balls, but no big deal. BUT...who will be the first person to bitch when a guy comes in the shop or in these same forums asking how to mount his own deer head, because he doesnt have the money for one of us to do it...
I was under the impresion that copyrights are being infringed by this method as well? Not sure as you are useing it yourself, but maybe since you are useing it commercially you may be subject to penalties
If you were infringing on one, whether it was private or commercial wouldnt matter. I was speaking of principles and laughing at how hypocritical we can all be. But again, money is tough sometimes. Im thinking by the time you build one and work all the bugs out, you coulda bought one.
You can build copy or use almost any idea or item you are capable of building or replicating. It does'nt matter if you use it for private use or comercial. But don't dare begin to produce the item for sale unless it varies in overall design or you might end up in court. Design it where copyright infringement comes in to play. not overall idea or usage. Any one could produce a flesher, tanner, tumbler, etc. for sale, but make sure it does'nt match other brands measurements, or design features. inginuity and improvements on another design could make you a buck or two if you channell correctly and include the original designer or manufacture.