Quastions On Dakota Pro Vs S&s Fleshing Machine

JBATT. I am a hobbyist as well and unfortunately I don't have a ton of experience with the fleshers you mentioned. There are a lot of members/shaving experts here that should be able to answer your question. In the meantime, look at the top banner. Four places to the right of the Forums tab is the Search function. A lot of cool features that allow you to search by titles, members, dates, forums, etc. It has been an invaluable tool to me and has allowed me to learn from all these great taxidermists, past and present. It is truly a treasure trove. Best of luck.

 

When I got one, I had to make the same decision. I chose the Dakota Pro for reasons I don't recall. I think it was down to the pulley and belt being inclosed on the Dakota Pro, where, I believe at the time the S&S had an exposed pulley belt. This may not have been the case, but, that's how I think it went.
I believe that you would be happy with either.

 

The S&S machine is a quality machine. Thankfully, an old Rawhide lasted me about 30 years and is still going strong in another shop. I thought the original S&S was overpriced, though I've heard that their prices have come more into line. I was a great deal involved in machines when the Dakota Pro came out. From what I needed in a machine, it was absolutely the best bang for the buck and it included all the features any taxidermist might want.
One thing I always caution beginners is that they invest as if they intend on doing this a lifetime. You could buy one of those POS hand held tools but it will either shatter your ideals or you'll try to find someone else gullible enough to buy it from you. When you get into the lower lines of round knives, there are some absolutely pitiful pieces of crap out there that had to be invented for the Inquisition. One "table model" I saw during this period was a round blade with a shallow cowling mounted directly to an electric motor. I was scared to turn that thing on. The bottom end Dakota's are not quite that bad, but if and when you decide to quit, most people are going to be unwilling to pay shipping and handling on getting yours. Any mechanic will tell you that there's a reason good tools cost more. Taxidermists would be wise to realize that fact.

 

I use the pro i love it easy to clean and maintain no regrets

 

Rember the Jim Edgar fleshers

 

I have never had to stop and clear shavings from my Dakota Pro.

 

Tanglewood, how many boars have you done? Over the years I've used a lot of machines; Reliable, Quebec, Dakota, and Raw Hide. I never had many belt eating shavings until I got to damned boars. If you're going to get one, it will be there.

 

The amount of boars I have done with it is a grand total of zero. I did a few before the Dakota was purchased and thankfully received none after.

 

No need to fret. It should last you well. Good investment.