Just finished my forth WT cape on my Dakota flesher, does a beautiful job ,I have been doing them by hand since i started in this business,20 years ago, it used to take me about three hours by hand just finished this last cape in about three hours but with a much better job,a lot more even and much thinner. just wondering how long it takes you more experianced folks .i wish i would have bought one when i first started, my wife and I are like kids with a new toy.
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i am no speed demon but i do the face as much as possible
It takes me about 20-30 minutes on the hide/neck area,I do as much as the face on the machine as I can,then I take my time doing the eyes and nose/lips by hand and I take about 45 minutes to finish.The quality of work that you can do on the machine just beats the heck out of doing it by hand and saves a lot of time to boot.
I just got my Dakota in January. Once I finally got the guards set right, it usually takes me about half an hour or a little more to shave the whole deer cape (pickled), face and all. I shaved an elk cape the other day and it took about an hour (more or less). Those suckers are thick and heavy! My arms felt like speghetti when I got done.
I also think it does a beautiful job, especially for flat hides that you plan on breaking for rugs. It leaves nice smooth finish that you can leave exposed.
Enjoy your new toy!