DIY Skull Boiler
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Re: DIY Skull Boiler
My point about the rubber band was to give a solution to help him close his small gap that had occurred. By no means do I use a rubber when boiling or at all during the cleaning/soda ash stages. Just wanted to clear that up.
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- SamPotter
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Re: DIY Skull Boiler
Jeff G wrote:My point about the rubber band was to give a solution to help him close his small gap that had occurred. By no means do I use a rubber when boiling or at all during the cleaning/soda ash stages. Just wanted to clear that up.
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I have just been putting a little dish detergent in. I'll have to look into the soda ash. My process is certainly an inexact science at this point. When I throw the head in the water is usually 120-140 (from the tap) and takes several hours to hit 180-190. The heads are only at that temp for 2 hours or so. Another improvement on my design that I am thinking of trying would be to get a stainless bucket that would hold the head and then place that into a larger bucket of water that has the heat element in it. I think this would preserve the life of the element. My temp controller will be in today as well.
The other consideration is the last 2 heads I did were not skinned. It takes a long times for the heat to penetrate all the flesh and hair. It may be awhile before I get a skinned head either. I doubt I'm going to be inspired to skin any of the rotten deadheads I may find this spring....
- SamPotter
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Re: DIY Skull Boiler
I wired up a temperature controller for my DIY skull boiler to keep the water temp consistent.
STC-1000 temperature controller (~$20 on Amazon) , electrical box ($10 Home Depot), single female outlet ($3 Home Depot) , and corded GFI ($25 Home Depot), all ready for assembly.
Wired, just prior to closing the box.
It works! The outlet on the left side of the box is where the heating element gets plugged in.
I ran the controller with the heater for about 2 hours. In that time it took the water from about 30 degrees to 85. I currently have it set on 85 degrees Celsius (185 Fahrenheit) with a 3 degree tolerance (once the water reaches 85 the power to the heater shuts off until the water cools back down to 82). The tolerance can be set to the tenth of a degree.
The controller came without a wiring diagram and I initially wired it improperly (safe, but the unit didn’t run). Once I did an internet search I was able to get it to work just fine. The controller can also be wired to run a compressor to cool as well. If I did this again I would try to find a cheaper GFI- maybe use one that is built into the outlet.
STC-1000 temperature controller (~$20 on Amazon) , electrical box ($10 Home Depot), single female outlet ($3 Home Depot) , and corded GFI ($25 Home Depot), all ready for assembly.
Wired, just prior to closing the box.
It works! The outlet on the left side of the box is where the heating element gets plugged in.
I ran the controller with the heater for about 2 hours. In that time it took the water from about 30 degrees to 85. I currently have it set on 85 degrees Celsius (185 Fahrenheit) with a 3 degree tolerance (once the water reaches 85 the power to the heater shuts off until the water cools back down to 82). The tolerance can be set to the tenth of a degree.
The controller came without a wiring diagram and I initially wired it improperly (safe, but the unit didn’t run). Once I did an internet search I was able to get it to work just fine. The controller can also be wired to run a compressor to cool as well. If I did this again I would try to find a cheaper GFI- maybe use one that is built into the outlet.
- gjs4
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Re: DIY Skull Boiler
Cool build.
Got me thinking.....skull mount anything thats not a booner...and sadly i am not worried about fur mounts anytime soon
Great job
Got me thinking.....skull mount anything thats not a booner...and sadly i am not worried about fur mounts anytime soon
Great job
Green and growing... Or red and rotting
- yungbuck
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Re: DIY Skull Boiler
What is wrapped around the base of the antlers to preserve the dark color
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nothing but a simple minded god fearing public land bow hunter
- SamPotter
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Re: DIY Skull Boiler
yungbuck wrote:What is wrapped around the base of the antlers to preserve the dark color
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Heavy duty plastic wrap off shipping pallets. Keeps the bark in and the scuzz off...
- GRUD
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Re: DIY Skull Boiler
I use a $20 turkey roaster I bought at Menards. It has a temperature control and you can set if from 150-400 degrees.
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Re: DIY Skull Boiler
Be careful. To much high heat for to long will make the skull very fragile.
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- backstraps
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Re: DIY Skull Boiler
Jeff G wrote:good idea. I use a propane turkey deep fry burner. 2 hours and done.
X2!
- Kraftd
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Re: DIY Skull Boiler
I have to agree that age makes a difference in the nose separating. I have done 4 1.5/2.5 and every one had at least a little separation. Also done four 3.5+ and never had one of those separate at all.
- PK_
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Re: DIY Skull Boiler
This is nifty.
Thanks.
Thanks.
No Shortcuts. No Excuses. No Regrets.
Everybody's selling dreams. I'm too cheap to buy one.
Everybody's selling dreams. I'm too cheap to buy one.
Rich M wrote:Typically, hunting FL has been like getting a root canal
- SamPotter
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Re: DIY Skull Boiler
JeffG, I've found that with bucks 4+ years old the nose bones never fall out or even become loose, but the younger bucks I pretty much plan on it and just glue them back in.
This set up works great for me because I can run it at the farm while I am working and keep an eyeball on it without having to worry about open flames. I don't know how many skulls I've done with it in the past 12 months- maybe 20 or so. Works like a charm.
This set up works great for me because I can run it at the farm while I am working and keep an eyeball on it without having to worry about open flames. I don't know how many skulls I've done with it in the past 12 months- maybe 20 or so. Works like a charm.
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Re: DIY Skull Boiler
SamPotter wrote:JeffG, I've found that with bucks 4+ years old the nose bones never fall out or even become loose, but the younger bucks I pretty much plan on it and just glue them back in.
This set up works great for me because I can run it at the farm while I am working and keep an eyeball on it without having to worry about open flames. I don't know how many skulls I've done with it in the past 12 months- maybe 20 or so. Works like a charm.
Congrats!
If it works for you, it is the perfect set up for you!
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