Originally Posted By: Tbone-AZI would suggest that you look for a beam of wood that is 6-8" wide and about 2" thick. cut the shape the same as a stretcher. Then take an old 5 gallon bucket and cut the bottom out of it..
I then round the top of the beam to match the contour of the bucket. The goal is to make it just curved enough so that it doesn't have a flat spot.
For coyote it really only needs to be about 3' long.
a fleshing knife that is 12" (
http://www.mckenziesp.com/Fleshing-Skinning-Tools-C1927.aspx ) wide helps with the wide open area's, and a set of the victornox (sp) the guys that make the swiss army knives is all you "need" The fleshing knife is about $20, and the taxidermy knives are $5.
http://www.mckenziesp.com/VK3-P11932C1849.aspx
here are some video's that i made to kind of help..
there are 3 in the series
Here are pics of the beam.
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T,
Thank you for the great reply. That video and pictures really helped me out. I will copy yours for sure.
Question about the beam and the contour, Do you slide the bucket over the beam and use a rasp or sander to match the contour? For the point of the beam do you just eye ball that or what did you use a gauge for the angle of the point? I am probably over analyzing it, its what I do
Also, what type of wood is your beam made out of.
Thanks again for all of your help. I really appreciate your posts and your Pm's
Kindest regards
Chris