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Post by Missourian on Mar 22, 2006 9:06:44 GMT -6
How big do the wood stretchers need to be for beaver? Where can I get a beaver board pattern or stencil? Thanks, Adam
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Post by jeffc on Mar 22, 2006 9:18:07 GMT -6
I had a lot of help this year on this subject from the forum members. I used 3/4 inch thick plywood, cut the sheet into 3 pieces of 32 inches. I used 2 inch nails not too big around and ended up nailing the nails about 3/4 of an inch apart. As far as stencils a member on here mailed me the nafa paper stencils or you can request them free from nafa but me personally it was taking way too much time. So Muskratman1 sells a whole plastic stencil that you just spraypaint the thing and its done. I did 12 boards in about 15 minutes versus following a paper stencil for hours. Muskratman1's web site is hightechtrapperssupply.com i think and he was great to deal with.
Jeff
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Post by jeffc on Mar 22, 2006 9:22:39 GMT -6
www.hightechtrappers.com Heres the correct link to see his beaver stencils I highly recommend them and it will last forever. Jeff
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Post by Missourian on Mar 22, 2006 11:33:28 GMT -6
Thanks Jeff! I appreciate the info. Adam
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Post by jeffc on Mar 22, 2006 16:09:44 GMT -6
heres a pic of some beavers i have drying right now using Muskratman1's stencil. Jeff
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Post by briankroberts on Mar 22, 2006 16:21:31 GMT -6
Jeff those beaver and the boards there on look awesome!!.....B.....
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Post by jeffc on Mar 22, 2006 16:26:54 GMT -6
Thanks Brian, You know I owe you and Jim a ton of thankyous for getting me on the right foot finishing fur. I've been selling green far too long and really appreciate all the help you guys gave me when you were out here.
Jeff
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Post by Muskratman1 on Mar 22, 2006 16:43:37 GMT -6
Thanks for the plug Jeff. I have the website pretty much shut down until July as everything is pretty well packed for our move to MN., but if someone needed one in despiration - pm me and we can maybe work something out.
Great job on the Beav's!
MM1
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Post by jeffc on Mar 22, 2006 18:55:05 GMT -6
Your welcom MM1, Patience is a virtue.........That I don't have and the speed and quality of your stencil helped me out. And while I'm thanking people I should thank John Gnad from Gnad fur company for teaching me how to finish beaver.
Jeff
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Post by MRussell on Mar 23, 2006 9:49:35 GMT -6
Does anyone here use staples instead of nails? If so what is your technique? I could see how it would be a LOT faster to use staples. More so if you used an electric stapler. Jeff your beavers look very nice!
MR
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Post by Muskratman1 on Mar 23, 2006 16:58:47 GMT -6
MRussell,
I boarded about 160 Beavers last year and tried the staple business on (1), the rest got nailed. IMO the staples are for the birds, but there's people that really like them. People can maybe board them as fast with staples, but I can get them off the boards in less than a minute. I'd find it difficult to do that with staples. Maybe they know a trick I don't with them. I know when the nails are getting pulled, they all land on the hide and when finished you just pick it up, fold it in half and the nails slide right back in the bucket with no mess. Cost effective as they are reuseable.
MM1
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Post by thebeav2 on Mar 23, 2006 17:38:55 GMT -6
And If you leave a staple behind and the grader runs his hand over It I can bet you that beaver will be In the bad damage pile LOL. Some might disagree with what I'm about to say but. Stretch your beaver as tight as you can even if you have to use a vise grips to get it to the farthest point, you can't over stretch them.
Gary
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Post by love2trap on Mar 23, 2006 18:45:06 GMT -6
Gary,
I have a problem with the nails holding, especially along the belly area if I overstretch them. They want to tear through the hide.
You ever have theis problem when stretching them taunt?
Mark
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Post by love2trap on Mar 23, 2006 18:48:56 GMT -6
Adam,
I know this won't help you right now, but I am always on the lookout for new construction sites and when I find one, I ask the crew if they have any plywood scraps.
I generally get all I can handle just for the asking, but then again, there's alot of construction going on in my area.
If I get a piece that is less than 32", I put as many rings on it as I can and then just use that board (front and back) for smaller beaver.
I generally get all the scrap wood and rebar I can ever use this way....
Mark aka "The Dumpster Diver"
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Post by Dun Dign on Mar 23, 2006 19:22:35 GMT -6
I have never used staples, but seen them many times demonstrated at conventions. A few years back walking around the tailgaters i heard some banging going on, i came upon a fellow stapeling a board laying on a table, as i walked up to him he had a tool ,and was rakeing out the staples ,it looked like a fur comb. He told me he was just getting this new product going, and i would see it in the next T&PC. This is the staple remover we all see now in the current issue. I think alot of us are stuck in in our ways relating to how we put up Beavers. Boards vs. Hoops etc. I'm still on the boards ,and nails. I feel with nails i have more control to put that edge right were i want it. I have the same nails i have used for over twenty years, the right hand is pulling, and the left is recieving. Nothing looks better than a well handled Beaver.
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Post by dj88ryr on Mar 23, 2006 20:02:30 GMT -6
I will be the odd man out again, I have always used hoops and hog rings. I know that you can stretch a little better on wood, but when you are into the chisel tooths heavy, I wasn't thinking about that extra 1/2 " of size, I was looking to get to the bottom of the pile of Beaver on the floor. Hoops are faster in my opinion.
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Post by Stef on Mar 23, 2006 20:05:27 GMT -6
I'll be my little beast jeff now but its good for you... Yes they do look good but put another nail in between each nails and they will look a lot better.
Stef
PS: now its too late but the next ones... ;D
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Post by ColdSteel on Mar 23, 2006 20:20:40 GMT -6
I have to agree with DJ on this.If you don't catch alot of beavers I am sure wood is great and does a good job especially closing up holes.But take a big number beaver man thats alot of plywood laying around the shop plus they take longer to dry
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Post by jeffc on Mar 23, 2006 20:31:19 GMT -6
I know stef, after I got to looking at the picture I noticed that I did have some with gaps between the nails. I just finished takeing them off the boards I'm meeting the Nafa truck on I-70 tommorow. I'm learning its my first time and I'll do better next year.
Jeff
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Post by dj88ryr on Mar 23, 2006 20:33:11 GMT -6
I like the looks of Beaver done on wood better, but with 10-20 water possums on the floor each night, I wasn't thinking that way, plus, with space at a minimum, I was able to easily hang the hoops from the rafters, which saved me floor space. I guess I was willing to sacrifice a little to gain a little, one of those little trade offs that you find yourself justifying with a clear conscience.. ;D
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