/ Register

  1. Welcome to Taxidermy.net, Guest!
    We have put together a brief tutorial to help you with the site, click here to access it.

Should I change fleshing machine

Discussion in 'Tanning' started by Petergon, Feb 26, 2009.

  1. Feb 26, 2009 #1
    Petergon

    Petergon New Member

    7
    0
    Hi you all, I have an old fleshing machine bough it 15+ years ago, the model was Raw Hide , I have changed some of the mecanism to move the guards but it gets rusty and dificult to move , I tan all types of species including African of all types, aldo use hand Knifes etc... I am not sure if I get a new type shaving machine it will help shaving skins more even and thiner, faster , or what can I expect..... at this point I am not using the machine my self , I have another person doing it but it seems to be hard for him..he has done it for years, not to even , still makes big un-even bites.... pats of the skin to thin....

    Or what do you recomend

    Thanks

    Peter
     
  3. Feb 26, 2009 #2
    Larry B

    Larry B New Member

    403
    0
    NW Montana
    Can you shave on the same machine? It may very well be he just can not do it. Not everybody can shave, no matter what machine they are using.
     

  5. Mar 1, 2009 #3
    Petergon

    Petergon New Member

    7
    0
    Hi Larry Thanks for your reply,Yoy are very much right I have seen that some people just cant do things...I guess the best idea would be to train them better or give them time to demonstrate if they can do it or not, but I still have a question , do you move the guards if you chanche type of skin being shavad or just change preasure or change how sharp is the blade? I Just talked with a friend and that is what he does...it seems to work for him , any sugestiions...
    Thanks

    Pedro
     
  6. Mar 1, 2009 #4
    Larry B

    Larry B New Member

    403
    0
    NW Montana
    The blade should be kept sharp. For the most part you would only move the guards on very thick skins, if at all. Pressure and where you have the skin on the blade when moving across determines the amount of the bite. For new shavers the safest is a very thin cut. It takes a lot of skins to shave before they should be good enough for customers hides.
     
  7. Mar 4, 2009 #5
    Laurier

    Laurier Active Member

    1,472
    0
    Canada
    keep the raw hide , adjust the guides and tune your blade , I have the raw hide and can remove a lot or just a very little, I can flesh a weasel on it if need to.
     
  8. Mar 4, 2009 #6
    George

    George The older I get, the better I was.

    34,669
    4,550
    Magnolia, Delaware
    I agree with Laurier. I also have a Rawhide and though some machines may have a few new gadgets, the Rawhide can provide the same efficiency. If the guides are tough to adjust, I'm sure it's from the grease and grime buildup over the years. Completely dismantle your machine (doesn't take that long) and clean it with something like WD40 and a wire brush or steel wool. Reassemble it and TUNE THE BLADE. I've done chipmunks up to bison and moose on mine. I use it to flesh before tanning and shaving during the process. It's not the machine.
     
  9. Mar 6, 2009 #7
    Laurier

    Laurier Active Member

    1,472
    0
    Canada
    that's right George , then the other problem is tuning the blade to the right angle or not using the proper steels to tune the blade , also Bill from Rawhide makes about the best blade I've ever used , and his prices are reasonable , and even the fleshing machine is cheaper to buy then a lot of garbage out there.
     
  10. Mar 9, 2009 #8
    Petergon

    Petergon New Member

    7
    0
    THANKS YOU ALL, I AM NOW CONVINCED ...I WILL KEEP THE RAWHIDE, CLEAN ALL THE RUST CHANGE SOME SCEWS TO INOX AND MAKE THIS GUY PRACTICE A LOT

    THANKS VERY MUCH AGAIN

    PEDRO