Will most coon fit on a 8" beam?

yes

Probably, but 8" is pretty wide.

A 6" beam would probably serve you much better though.

I flesh everything (except mink and muskrats) on my homemade beam, made from a 2 x 6, which is actually 1-3/4" thick x 5-1/2" wide.

It Works for Me

If it works for TexA, then it is the way to go. I have found when he speaks on putting up fur, it is a good thing to listen.

Listen to TexA about a 6" beam. I got one from grawes a couple weeks ago and mounted it up and went to town. I can flesh pretty much anything exept mink and rat on it. If you get the 8" you will regret it IMO becuase you will have a hard time getting smaller coon and otter over it among other things.

Good advice above.

This may help a little more . I made the beam and I made the fleshing knife . Both do a fine job . Beam is a rough 1 x 6 hard wood plank shaved and finished smooth .The fleshing knife is a peice of 1/4 inch flat stock steel . Both ends ground to fir a file handle . The edge of the knife is ground at roughly a 45 degree angle an sharpened with a file . With the sharp knife you have to apply very little pressure .Except in the hadr spots like the back of the neck of coons and the shoulders of the beaver . Go gently when you first start because the knife is sharp

Should have mentioned that the beam has a very slight round to it