Post by: PsoasHunter on September 21, 2022, 08:14:11 AM
The first boil was 3 hours about 2 weeks ago.
Post by: phildobaggins on September 21, 2022, 08:29:41 AM
Post by: Bullkllr on September 21, 2022, 08:53:40 AM
I wouldn't say I have enough experience to know how long is too long. Probably couldn't go too wrong by keeping an eye on it through a combination soak/heat without actually boiling it real hard as Phildo suggested.
Post by: jrebel on September 21, 2022, 09:00:25 AM
You will be fine boiling it a second time. Use dawn dish soap and don't "boil"....also have patience.
Post by: mcrawfordaf on September 21, 2022, 09:04:53 AM
Post by: jrebel on September 21, 2022, 09:09:06 AM
I did this guy twice. First time with dawn and the second time with oxi clean powder. No noticeable weakening of the bone.
That's a pretty cool skull. Was his nose noticeably bent when he was alive?
Post by: KP-Skagit on September 21, 2022, 09:15:55 AM
I ended up using stainless wire in the nasal cavity to piece it back together. It looks good enough high up on the wall.
Post by: mcrawfordaf on September 21, 2022, 09:26:22 AM
I did this guy twice. First time with dawn and the second time with oxi clean powder. No noticeable weakening of the bone.
That's a pretty cool skull. Was his nose noticeably bent when he was alive?
It was a dead-head I found with most of the meat missing. It was bent like that when I found it, not from the boil.
Post by: CamoDup on September 21, 2022, 09:49:30 AM
Post by: NRA4LIFE on September 21, 2022, 10:02:48 AM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on September 21, 2022, 10:49:18 AM
Post by: fowl smacker on September 21, 2022, 12:15:50 PM
You will be fine if it's just a simmer. You don't ever want to have your pot on a rolling boil... it's too hot and will damage the nose pieces. My process is this.. Add in a few squirts of dawn dish soap and get the water to a simmer. Simmer the head in there for about an hour or so and pull out to check and if the meat is somewhat easy to pull off. If it is I'll start pressure washing the meat off but being careful not to hit the antlers with the pressure washer because it will discolor the antlers. After I have most of the meat off and the brain out I will put it back into the pot for another simmer. Keep repeating this until it's all clean. Once all the meat is off, clean out your pot and add in water and a few bottles of hydrogen peroxide and heat to a simmer again. Make sure the antlers are wrapped with tape and suran wrap because the peroxide will lighten the antlers. Add in your skull and let it sit for another hour or so. Pull it out and let dry. Look up White Bone Creations on YouTube. He explains this process and it's super easy but messy. I can have a euro done start to finish in about 4-5 hours.My exact process, I do about 15-20 skulls a year between friends and family. Always turn out great.
Post by: PsoasHunter on September 21, 2022, 12:48:23 PM
Also, thanks for providing the correct recommendation on boiling vs simmering: I don't boil them, I keep it at a low simmer also but realize the confusion my wording caused. Thanks!
Post by: Ricochet on September 21, 2022, 12:59:06 PM
I did this guy twice. First time with dawn and the second time with oxi clean powder. No noticeable weakening of the bone.
That's a pretty cool skull. Was his nose noticeably bent when he was alive?
It was a dead-head I found with most of the meat missing. It was bent like that when I found it, not from the boil.
Nascar buck, really good at left turns. :chuckle:
Post by: bugs n bones on September 21, 2022, 02:05:33 PM
Post by: jrebel on September 21, 2022, 02:25:01 PM
When you boil a skull your cooking the grease into the skull and degrading the bone
Other than beetles....which are unrealistic for everyone to use, is there another method you would suggest. The Maceration process is down right nasty....and off the table for this guy. :chuckle: :chuckle: That almost cost me my marriage one year.
Post by: mcrawfordaf on September 21, 2022, 03:19:01 PM
When you boil a skull your cooking the grease into the skull and degrading the bone
A rolling boil maybe - but a simmer renders the fat it does not cook it "into" the bone.
Post by: buglebuster on September 21, 2022, 04:23:22 PM
Post by: Lingcod on September 21, 2022, 05:01:58 PM
Also, simmering twice will not hurt anything.
Post by: jshay on September 21, 2022, 06:21:00 PM
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Post by: bugs n bones on September 22, 2022, 06:39:18 AM
hence the reason I said BOILWhen you boil a skull your cooking the grease into the skull and degrading the bone
A rolling boil maybe - but a simmer renders the fat it does not cook it "into" the bone.
Post by: Alchase on September 22, 2022, 07:01:53 AM
may get you in trouble with the missus. It took a week to get that nasty smell out :yike:
Post by: NOCK NOCK on November 11, 2022, 08:09:20 PM
Post by: millerwheeler on November 11, 2022, 09:13:57 PM
So for the pressure washer guys......how do you do that without making a massive mess and wearing it?
Bibs and rubber boots
Post by: millerwheeler on November 11, 2022, 09:21:01 PM
Post by: millerwheeler on November 11, 2022, 09:22:16 PM
Several times and always had great results
Post by: bugs n bones on November 11, 2022, 09:33:33 PM
Buy a fish tank heater and a bucket and never worry again. Also, you are never really degreasing a skull when you simmer in blue dawn dish soap, a proper degrease will take around 3 weeks at 100-120 degrees.👍
Post by: fowl smacker on November 11, 2022, 09:33:36 PM
So for the pressure washer guys......how do you do that without making a massive mess and wearing it?You WILL make a massive mess AND wear it!
Post by: bugs n bones on November 11, 2022, 09:35:31 PM
Here is another with same process his YouTube videos use make sure you tape antlers tight and no open flame hits the antlers , I have boiled someall the nose cartilage is gone ? How is that great results ?
Several times and always had great results
Post by: Gobble Gobble on November 11, 2022, 11:34:55 PM
Post by: millerwheeler on November 12, 2022, 05:36:07 AM
Here is another with same process his YouTube videos use make sure you tape antlers tight and no open flame hits the antlers , I have boiled someall the nose cartilage is gone ? How is that great results ?
Several times and always had great results
Of course if you want to keep the nose cartridge Beetles are the way to go when I take out the soft tissue crap it just slides right out and still looks great for me saving whatever a euro cost these days . I do agree the nose stuff inside looks cool when done with Beetles but not everyone spends 200$ every time they want one is all
Post by: fowl smacker on November 12, 2022, 06:24:13 AM
You don't want the cartilage to stay, you'd like the fine nasal bone to stay if possible, but definitely not a deal breaker by any means for me.Here is another with same process his YouTube videos use make sure you tape antlers tight and no open flame hits the antlers , I have boiled someall the nose cartilage is gone ? How is that great results ?
Several times and always had great results
Post by: jackelope on November 12, 2022, 08:18:58 AM
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on November 12, 2022, 10:02:32 AM
Clean water simmer again with disinfectant like baking soda and maybe a cap of bleach to start whitening. One it’s spic n span I let dry and paint in a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda or that hairdresser stuff 40 works great. Use old toothbrush inside and out to kill anything especially smells. My wife has an excellent sniffer.
Anyway, when I can’t get them really clean, I do what is pictured. This was a nice deadhead I found while pheasant hunting Palouse. I couldn’t get it perfect so I ended up painting the entire skull and then the kids helped me detail out. Got another couple I did like this they turn out good and the wife let’s them in the house. Totally sealed with coats of paint. Use tinfoil while simmering and never let bases touch water.
Post by: millerwheeler on November 12, 2022, 07:09:04 PM
How long do they stay white and stink free when you just boil them? Or just simmer them? Whatever the word is. How do you degrease them? A short time in a simmer might get the meat off but it’s not getting all the grease out.
I soak it in oxi clean / dawn for couple weeks to degrease then boil . Mop and glow coat when done and I have ones from 5 years ago when I started doin my own and all white as when I did them and always smell free I don’t play when it comes too that lol