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Hunting => Trapping and Fur Talk => Topic started by: Brad H on April 02, 2007, 02:34:17 AM

Title: I need a skull man
Post by: Brad H on April 02, 2007, 02:34:17 AM
I have two bobcat skulls that I need boiled and bleached. I don't have the time or the means so I'm hoping someone on here does this type of thing. The heads are intact, boxed up and each sealed yet. Cash, trade, or whatever you want.

Brad
Title: Re: I need a skull man
Post by: KySongDog on April 02, 2007, 06:19:23 AM
Brad

My buddy No Neck does that type of thing.  He's got skulls laying all over his house.   :eyebrow:

If you like I'll ask him what he would want for doing yours.

Let me know here or pm me.

Semp

Edited:  I just checked with No Neck.  He does not have the time to handle it right now.  He works construction and is pretty busy.  Sorry I spoke too soon.
Title: Re: I need a skull man
Post by: Brad H on April 02, 2007, 11:45:29 AM
That's alright. Thanks for trying though Semp.

Brad
Title: Re: I need a skull man
Post by: Ladobe on April 02, 2007, 11:50:39 AM
Brad -

Have a fairly extensive skull collection (including my two biggest bobcat skulls).   You'll end up with a much better product if you have it "bugged", degreased, whitened and UV protected rather than just boiled and bleached.   I was lucky to have a close friend that is a Molecular Microbiology scientist at Johns Hopkins do mine for me.   But there are companies that do it for hire and are easy to find with an Internet search.   Here's one I know of...

http://www.preservationspecialties.com/main.htm

Larry

Title: Re: I need a skull man
Post by: Brad H on April 02, 2007, 02:14:13 PM
Actually Larry, that's exactly what I want done...you know, with all the detail.  Unfortunately, boiled and bleached is the extent of my knowledge on this one. :shrug:

I'll check that place out and see what else I can dig up.

Thanks,

Brad
Title: Re: I need a skull man
Post by: FinsnFur on April 02, 2007, 04:12:06 PM
I wish I could do it for ya. I still feel like I owe ya.

When I was doing skulls, we went with the power wash method. Start to finish in less then 10 days, no bugs, no boiling, no mess. Beautiful preserved detail.


Title: Re: I need a skull man
Post by: studabaka on April 02, 2007, 04:32:11 PM
 :confused: so what is the 'power wash' method? I've done a few of my own via boil/bleach.... my house stunk for a week.  :shck: They came out ok, except for the part where I had a couple dozen teeth in the bottom of the pot and had to figure out which holes to put them in.... note to self: never boil more than one skull at a time.  :madd:

I'll need to look into the stuff they use to protect them, keep them white, and give them that nice shine.
Title: Re: I need a skull man
Post by: keekee on April 02, 2007, 07:39:51 PM
Brad,

If you cant find anyone to do them for ya. Give me a yell. May take me a bit to get to them but I will help you out if you need it.

Brent

I just got all the rest of my Turkey bones out of the bath yesterday, so its free.
Title: Re: I need a skull man
Post by: Brad H on April 02, 2007, 08:19:58 PM
You don't owe me anything, Jim. I just figured since I needed to have these done I'd see if anyone needed some work. They seem like a pretty big project.

Thanks for the offer, Brent. I checked into the guys at the link Ladobe posted and I like the operation they run. I think I'll give them a shot this time around and see how it goes. I didn't know you did that type of thing, maybe we can get together on a future project. :eyebrow:

Brad
Title: Re: I need a skull man
Post by: FinsnFur on April 02, 2007, 10:25:21 PM
We started out the power wash method on deer skulls Stu. I got a couple taxi's up here that flesh their hides that way, so we decided to try it on a skull.

First let me say that when you get your first power fleshed hide, you are going to be in heaven son.  :eyebrownod:
They come out slicker then a fruit of the loom T shirt. All you have to do is thin the face a little bit and GO.

The heads for the power washer has to be the spinner type, and psi needs to be 3500psi or higher.

Now the skulls. You dont even have to skin them. Lay down an old piece of carpet, lay the head on it and put your foot on the antler. The carpet keeps you from scuffin the rack. Your foot keeps the whole thing from flying south.

Wear your hip boots, and fire that pig up.  :biggrin:

15 - 20 minutes tops, the skull is completely, and thoroughly cleaned. No scraping, no scratchin, no picking.
Let er dry, and start the bleaching process. When that dries, we used to coat them with the same clear coat, UV blocker they use on quality fish mounts.
Title: Re: I need a skull man
Post by: Bob D on April 03, 2007, 08:14:48 AM
So what does it cost to have a skull finished?
Title: Re: I need a skull man
Post by: FinsnFur on April 03, 2007, 08:29:56 AM
I don't do them any more Bob. Due partly to what they are actually worth makes it tough to make any money at it. And partly due to me being full bore with skins in the winter.

We charged $45 bucks for a deer skull, from start to finish. Fleshed, cleaned, sealed and mounted on a European platform. That was two years ago.
Title: Re: I need a skull man
Post by: keekee on April 03, 2007, 11:02:44 AM
No problem Brad! I don't do them for the public just for friends and family and myself well just don't advertise it I guess if I got time I don't care to do them for others.  I use the same set up on my Wingbone calls, they haft to go threw the bleaching process two times, they are so greasy if they don't get bleached right they will turn yellow over time.

I figured I allready had everything set up I would make the offer to help out a friend. I got one deer to do for dad and one for a friend. I make a nice little old barn wood stand to mount them on with a little router work to dress them up, they look old fashion with a touch of modern trim.

Let us see some pic's when you get them back!

Brent