Beatles vs boiling

[Bmcox86]

I got two decent little blacktails this year and want to do a side by side skull mount but don't know which route to go. Should I pay someone with Beatles or just boil them myself, from what I understand the only pro tot he Beatles is not loosing the teeth, is that desirable? Never done a euro mount before so just trying to get opinions. Thanks in advance.

 

[G Posik]

I have a buddy with Beatles. I use to do the boil thing. Use to up till he got his Beatles.

Glenn

 

[Stid2677]

Boiling will damage and shrink the bone, all professionals, museums etc.. use beetles. If you do boil, go slow and boil only enough to loosen then pressure wash the rest off. Another way is to use maceration, which is done by submersing in water for a long period of time. The main drawback to this is keeping the antlers out of the water as it will remove some of the color. This will leave the fine nasal bones intact, were boiling most often destroys them.

http://www.skullsite.com/misc/macerationmanual.htm

 

[wapitibob]

Beetles

 

[Roy68]

Use the beetles

 

[Stid2677]

I used maceration to do this grizzly and sheep skull. I pulled the teeth on the bear to retain the natural color when I whitened the bone. I use a plastic acrylic to seal them. You can see the fine nasal bones are intact.

 

[Shrek]

I just had my elk head done with beetles and I think it was worth every penny. It preserves detail and the color in the teeth. I haven't finished mine because I don't want to bleach the bone so I'm going to soak it a couple of times and the let it air out in the garage until the stink fades away. I love the completely natural bone colors.

 

[kpk]

I've boiled a few myself but will never do it again. Around here most guys run about 75 bucks to get a skull done with beatles and I'd say its worth it for sure.

 

[jtw]

I've boiled a few myself but will never do it again. Around here most guys run about 75 bucks to get a skull done with beatles and I'd say its worth it for sure.

This. I've used boiling and maceration and for the low cost of beetles and the better product, why not?
Also, my first deer I boiled the skull and even after degreasing it multiple times there is still grease in spots.

 

[LostArra]

I used maceration to do this grizzly and sheep skull. I pulled the teeth on the bear to retain the natural color when I whitened the bone. I use a plastic acrylic to seal them. You can see the fine nasal bones are intact.

Very cool skulls

 

[aron]

I boiled a couple before and will gladly pay to get it cleaned by beatles

 

[KMT]

I agree with the comments above. Boil one yourself, and you will likely never do it again.....assuming you're like me.

 

[Bmcox86]

Thanks I'll try to find someone with bugs

 

[fire652]

Call your state college or university they often times have "bug" guys I forget what they are called but you can send them the skulls and they will put them in with their bugs. Saves them and you money

 

[Jackelope]

Feed the bugs!! It's the only way to go.