I noticed last month that my original draft of this post was missing most of the photographs, possibly through a Photobucket glitch/gremlin while parked in the Fur Handling Archives forum here.

The entire narrative had been lost in the past, once during a site crash and again with a site repair. This is the third time that I have attempted to reconstruct this narrative from saved files in my library - a time consuming adventure.

This newly revised edition is more comprehensive and includes an additional 50 photographs from the original post. Unfortunately, many of the new and older illustrations did not translate to Photobuckets because of the way that I had to retrieve and edit them from older files to get them there. They appear as a highlighted link, and each will have to be clicked on to open and view - opposed to appearing normally as expected in full frame within the thread. A pain, but that was the best that I could do to salvage this effort.

My original file was lost last year with the appropriate captions crediting the makers. However, I just found a back-up file with the photos, but missing many captions. If you recognize one of yours listed as a "T-man Unknown" that has no caption, kindly identify it for me by the number to the right of each entry and I will make the appropriate caption edit.

This compilation of several T-man and other trapping forum member's fleshing beams, along with a few commercial offerings, is by all means not comprehensive or complete by any stretch of the hide. I started putting this album together well over a year ago as a "show and tell" illustrated summary, primarily for new and younger trappers to glean some ideas from if they eventually wanted one for their own shed. This old timer himself got some great ideas to improve the one he has been using - long overdue for improvements keyed to more ergonomic efficiency as the old frame bends over the beam.

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation or interests with the commercial products depicted. Some are just "neat," so I included them. The photos are "idea factories" for the do-it-yourselfer's creative mind.

Jonathan

Here are a few links discussing the making/using of homemade beams for different animals. These are elemental and introductory. Be patient. Some of the PDF files take some time to load. You may have to scroll to isolate the beam information:

http://www.traps4kids.com/Fleshing-Beam.html

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/portals/9/PDF/chpt14_15.pdf

http://www.fishwildlife.org/Furbearer/Student_manual_2005.pdf

http://www.frontierfreedom.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=151&Itemid=41

FLESHING BEAM PLANS

These are the only sketches that I was able to find. To make one for any of the different styles, sizes and how they are used, you will have to develop your own dimensions - a stretcher for different animals makes a good pattern and template to start with for a wooden or PVC beam.

#1 - Basic Hinge Design (From TexA)



#2 - S.S. Snyder Beam Plans



COMMERCIAL OFFERINGS (In No Specific Order)

#3 - Otter Creek Mink-Rat Double



#4 - Otter Creek: Wood - Fancy Hardwood Laminated



#5 - Otter Creek: Wood - "Narrow Top"



#6 - Otter Creek Muskrat Table Beam



#7 - High Tech Trappers Supply - A.



#8 - High Tech Trappers Supply - B.



#9 - High Tech Trappers Supply - C.



#10 - High Tech Trappers Supply - D.



#11 - High Tech Trappers Supply - E.



#12 - High Tech Trappers Supply - F.



#13 - High Tech Trappers Supply - G.



#14 - High Tech Trappers Supply - H.



#15-#16: MB-36 Fleshing System From F&T





#17 - Bushwacker Supplies - Maine



#18-#23: Blue English Fleshing Beam Kit With Examples Set Up







[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Blue_English_Beam_-_1ED.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Fleshing_Beam_-_3.jpg[/img]

HOMEMADE PVC TYPE VERSIONS

#24 - Tims924

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/tims924_Fleshing_Beam.jpg[/img]

#25 - TylerPA - Plain 4" PVC

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/TylerPA.jpg[/img]

#26 - RiverRunner, WI PVC

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Flesh-beam_River_Runner_-WI.jpg[/img]

#27 - Skullman, Canada

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/SkullmanCanada-FleshingBeam-3.jpg[/img]

#28 - Unknown PVC - A.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/UnknownPVC.jpg[/img]

#29 - Unknown PVC - B.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/UnkPVC-A.jpg[/img]

#30-#35: Seldom, MI - Made From HDPE Oil Patch Pipe

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/SeldomMI-HDPEOilPatchPipe-1.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/SeldomMI-HDPEOilPatchPipe-2.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/SeldomMI-HDPEOilPatchPipe-3.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/SeldomMI-HDPEOilPatchPipe-4.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/SeldomMI-HDPEOilPatchPipe-5.jpg[/img]

#36-#42: Innovative PVC Design By JC Desclos, Administrator At Swamp Talk

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/thJCD-2.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/thJCD-4.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/JD-1.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/JD-5.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/JD-2.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/JD-3.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/JD-4.jpg[/img]

HOMEMADE WOODEN DESIGN SET UPS

Some of these are equipped with fiberglass sleeves over their wooden cores.

"Primitive": Patterned After Wood Carver's Beam From Ontariotrapper, Canada

#43 [img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/OntariotrapperCanada-1.jpg[/img]

#44 [img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/OntariotrapperCanada-3.jpg[/img]

#45 [img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/OntariotrapperCanada-2.jpg[/img]

#46 - TexA "Double" Up

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/TexADouble-1.jpg[/img]

#47 - TexA "Double" Down

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/TexADouble-2.jpg[/img]

#48 - Buzzard - A.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/BuzzardsBeam.jpg[/img]

#49 - Buzzard - B.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Buzzard20NC20Small.jpg[/img]

#50 - MHoward Coon Beam

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/M_Howard_fullviewbackside.jpg[/img]

#51 - MHoward In Action

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/MHowardLA-2.jpg[/img]

#52 - Trapper Jake - A.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/TrapperJake-2.jpg[/img]

#53 - Trapper Jake - B.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/TrapperJake.jpg[/img]

#54 - Trapper Jake - C.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/TrapperJake-3.jpg[/img]

#55 - NSTrapper, Canada

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/NS_Trapper_Canada_-_1ED.jpg[/img]

#56 - MNTrapperboy - A.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/mntrapperboyMN-2.jpg[/img]

#57 - MNTrapperboy - B.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/mntrapperboyMN-1.jpg[/img]

#58 - Itrapnys

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Itrapnys_Fleshing_Beam.jpg[/img]

#59 - btbowhunter

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/btbowhunter-1.jpg[/img]

#60 - Deerhunter65347

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Deerhunter65347MO.jpg[/img]

#61 - Gotcha - A.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Gotcha_Beam_-_1.jpg[/img]

#62 - Gotcha - B.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Gotcha_Beam_-_2.jpg[/img]

#63 - Gotcha - C.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Gotcha_Beam_-_3.jpg[/img]

#64 - Fuzzy

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Fuzzys_Fleshing_Beam.jpg[/img]

#65 - freeburgtrapper

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/freeburgtrapper_fleshing_beam.jpg[/img]

#66 - Ratwrangler

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/RatwranglerMT.jpg[/img]

#67 - Fishguts

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Fleshing_Beam.jpg[/img]

#68 - Deadfox

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/DeadfoxPA.jpg[/img]

#69 - Daniel Edinger At Work

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Dan_Edinger_Beam.jpg[/img]

#70 - SwampRat

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Swamp_Rat_-_WAT_Member_TX_Small.jpg[/img]

#71 - Livetrap

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jon...eam_In_Fiel.jpg[/img]

#72 - Coyotesnarer, Canada - A.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/coyote_snarer_-_Canada.jpg[/img]

#73 - Coyotesnarer, Canada - B.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Coyote_Snarer.jpg[/img]

#74 - TJ - A.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/TJ_-_1.jpg[/img]

#75 - TJ - B.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/TJ_-_4.jpg[/img]

#76 - Bottomline - A.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/BottomlineNC-2-1.jpg[/img]

#77 - Bottomline - B.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/BottomlineNC.jpg[/img]

#78 - Minklessinpa - A: Free Standing Portable

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jon...ingPortable.jpg[/img]

#79 - Minklessinpa - B: Minnesota Btand Kit

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jon...nesota_Be-1.jpg[/img]

#80 - WSS - A.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/WSS_-_4.jpg[/img]

#81 - WSS - B.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/WSS_-_3.jpg[/img]

#82 - WSS - C.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/WSS_-_2.jpg[/img]

#83 - WSS - D.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/WSS_LA_-_Fleshing_Beam.jpg[/img]

#84 - tmrschessie - A: Unique With A Vinyl-Type Sleeve Cover

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/TmrschessieNE-2.jpg[/img]

#85 - tmrschessie - B.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/TmrschessieNE-1.jpg[/img]

#86 - tmrschessie - C: Note Wedges At Base To Secure Sleeve

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/TmrschessieNE-3.jpg[/img]

#87 - Youngtraprsdad - Fleshing And Skinning Station

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jon...al_Winch_-1.jpg[/img]

#88 - Cooper

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/CooperMS-Beam-3.jpg[/img]

#89 - FlatSet - A. Potable

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/FlarSet-2.jpg[/img]

#90 - FlatSet - B.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/FlarSet-1.jpg[/img]

#91 - FlatSet - C. Folded And Stored

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/FlarSet-3.jpg[/img]

#92 - TrapperKnox

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Trapper_Knox_IA_-_Fleshing_Beam.jpg[/img]

#93- #98 Muskrat, WI - Bench Mount Muskrat Beam

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Muskrat-1.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Muskrat-2.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Muskrat-3.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Muskrat-4.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Muskrat-5.jpg[/img]

#99 - trackerbr59, WY

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/trackerbr59WY-FleshingBeam-2.jpg[/img]


#100 - T-man Unknown - 1.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/UnknownBeam.jpg[/img]

#101 - T-man Unknown - 2.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/DSC01172-1.jpg[/img]

#102 - T-man Unknown - 3.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Beam.jpg[/img]

#103 - T-man Unknown - 4.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/Beam20-20Q20Wagoner.jpg[/img]

#104 - T-man Unknown - 5.

[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Jonathan64/Fleshing%20Beams/beam1it8-1.jpg[/img]

Good job Mr. Jonathan!

Thanks,

Rickey

Thaks for taking the time to put this together!

Luke

Jonathan........ outstanding! I know what I'M doing tomorrow!

Thanks for you hard work GREAT post!!!

Jonathon, you are a gentleman and a scholar not to mention a great asset to this site. Thank you for your hard work!
ty

Thanks for your effort, Jonathan. I sure appreciate it and will find it very usefull.

Thank you very much Jonathan!

Thank you to all for the kind and generous words thusfar. This topic was stirred in my retired teacher mode's unquiet mind a couple of years ago as an impulse via a labor of love for the topic - just because.

If this thread hangs out long enough before migration to page 3, I have some thoughts with a tutorial on how to save it in case it wanders off into the fracture of deleted or loss on the horizons.

That notion may be best covered on a separate all-encompassing post on how to save stuff from this treasured site, in case any topic(s) of your interest happens to disappear for any reason - you forgot where it lived, Archives or otherwise, do not know how to bookmark educational threads, missed the movie, or the site itself may have disrupted your intent to save something in your library with a pause of some flavor - crash or site repair in the mill.

Thanks again for your comments. I'll be back again with some flavor of ink on this saving stuff thingy.

Jonathan

Mr. Jonathan if you produce a trapping manual I'll buy 5 copies, you do an outstanding service to the trapping world, thanks

Try this Trapping Archives link to view all of the photos consecutively without having to open each one up:

Fleshing Beams In Review: Complete Revision

Jonathan

Thank You, sir, and I for one will definitely be looking forward to your post on saving posts, etc. Thank you for thinking of others.

Thanks Jonathan

I have used a design like #1 and it is my favorite setup.

Might anyone know why so many of these Photobucket images did not translate here on this forum? I posted the same article on ADC's Trapping Archives site and all of the photos appeared in the article as I hoped would be the case on T-man.

Is it possible there could be a limit to the numbers of photos one can use in a single post? Thanks.

Jonathan

Johathan,

I tried a high tech fleshing beam #7 last year, and while the base and mounting system are excellent, the plastic board itself did not do well for me,,,, it knicks up easy.