Zonker Cutter prototype

[day5 0]

So Ridderbos bought a zonker cutter on the net for $25+. We had a zonker cutting party and cut up 10+ skins. During the session I got to look at the cutter use the cutter and reset the cutter. First thing I noticed Simple construction. Second the blade measurement and changing was poorly thought out. The blades were not easily reversible. So I reinvented the wheel! Its 1/2 aluminum flat stock #4 threaded rod #4 nuts faucet gaskets and blades. This is my first one so the bends are a bit sloppy but it will work. So with the cutter ridderbos bought it used nuts between each blade to hold the blades this was a pain to deal with. Plus to flip the blades you had to remove them and reinsert them. PAIN!!!!! With my redesigned I use rubber faucet gaskets for spacers(1/8 in) and the retainer bolt (behind blades) witch was not removable on Ridderbos's is now removable and thus all you need to do is remove it roll the blades and reinsert the bolt.

If you can figure out how to make this go for it! If you cant I think Ill have them for sale soon on my site $16.99

[billb 0]

day5:

 

Great tool. Thaks for sharing it.

 

I've never tried cutting strips -- does it help to wet the fur and comb it, or can you just cut it (presumably with the grain)?

 

Bill

[day5 0]

Wetting the fur! Dangit I wish we had thought of that the other night!!! I bet my house and self would have been a lot freakin cleaner!!!! We just cut it form the back side Rob would hold one side I held the other and John did the rippin.

[flytyingscotsman 0]

 

Very nice. A steal at $16.99.

 

Makes my home made zonker knife look like a real Rube Goldberg affair !!

 

 

[Bruce Derington 0]

I'll be your first customer, Pm me when its ready

[oatka 0]

WHAT? no pictures of the final results?

 

 

[TxEngr 0]

I had a chance to see the Wapsi zonker cutter on a tour last week. I was expecting something high-tech but it couldn't be more low tech. Basically single edge razor blades with magnets for spacers mounted in a vise (not a tying vise - a real vise). They just take the skins and run them as many times as needed across the unit for the size of the skin. Seemed a little dangerous it you weren't careful, but extremely effecitive and very low tech. And every zonker from Wapsi is cut on this device! You've actually gone a little further and have a more sophsticated design. Nice job.

 

TxEngr

[letumgo 0]

SWEET!!! I am going to make up one of my own! Thanks for sharing the photos, buddy. This looks like it will work great. :headbang:

[Catalpa_Joe 0]

All you need now are some rabbits to breed. Then you'll have an endless supply of skins plus dinner every Sunday!

[Ribs1 0]

You are the man.

I want one right away.

That thing is sweet.

 

[crappie 0]

Get a large embroidery hoop to hold the rabbit skin.

You can then cut it without having to hold it in your hands.

 

 

Crappie

[joeking 0]

it will also cut nice strips from sheets

of craft foam for floater bodies

[J.Z 0]

i'd take 1 too, and can you make a sheath for it too? i am pretty clumsy, i don't like to take that approach to dying my white rabbit skins red

[stonefly1 0]

I have had a zonker cutting tool for years that works on the same premis as the one that you built and it works great and is easy to change the blades.

 

One thing that will keep things a little cleaner as well as keep you from cutting too much of the hair is to use the cutter on an old piece of pile carpet. If you cut on a hard surface you will tend to destroy some of the fur as it gets trapped. The carpet allows the blades to sperate the hair enough to prevent damage to the fur. I usually put the carpet on a clipboard that holds both the skin and the carpet while cutting. A couple of additional clips will keep the sking tight on the board.