Handy Invention Takes Work Out Of Scaling Panfish

Handy Invention Takes Work Out Of Scaling Panfish FARM HOME Miscellaneous “I catch a lot of fish and scaling them was a big job ” says Bernie Coulthurst But not anymore thanks to a homebuilt fish scaler he made using the frame of an old propane grill a black plastic container cut in half a 1-hp motor from a meat bandsaw and assorted pulleys and parts
    He had two 16-in circles cut out of oak boards and sealed them with fiberglass to protect the wood then drilled a hole in the center of each for a 5/8-in axle The axle turns a series of 4 pulleys to get the right speed
    For the tumbler Coulthurst purchased a galvanized steel sheet to screw to the round ends
    “I used a can opener to poke holes for cutting the scales off and drilled holes for the scales to fall through ” Coulthurst explains “I open up the cylinder on the side and pour in fish up to 50 at a time and enough water so it’s 3 or 4 in high Then I close it up plug in the motor have a beer and 15 min later the fish are scaled ”
    A hole in the bottom of the drum drains the water and scales into a pvc pipe that goes off to the side and after removing the fish Coulthurst washes the cylinder and drum with a garden hose
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Bernie Coulthurst 4852 Co Rd K Amherst Wis 54406 ph 715 824-3245; berniec1938@wi-net com

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