Some people don't know what they don't know.

My un carpeted beam works just fine so I think I'll leave It that way.

I agree. I wouldn't use carpet if it wasn't necessary for me. But was getting 15-20 percent window pane on coons I caught in coastal SC and Florida. Put carpet on my beams and no longer have that problem. These north Alabama hides are not as much of a problem but I still do adc jobs in those states and have gotten used to carpet and prefer using it. Have to change carpet once every couple months but not a big deal. Tried to post a picture but couldn't figure it out. Will try again with help from my daughter later this evening. But basically just a piece of commercial grade short nap carpet wrapped around and screwed to the underside of a standard eight inch wide beam. Use a Sheffield knife most the time with it.

Are you placing It nap up or nap against the beam?

Nap is up just like you were gonna walk on it. Cleans up much easier than you would think. I just wipe it down occasionally with a a rag or paper towel while I'm fleshing. After a fleshing marathon I sometimes use my fleshing knife to squeegee out the oil which seems to accumulate underneath the carpet. Sounds messy I know but I do all my fur out stuff on the same beam with no grease issues on fox, coyote etc.

Does the carpet have to match the drapes?

Now that's funny .

I’m going with shag from the 70’s.

Pictures of beam with carpet. Carpet covers more than half the length of beam. Carpet I'm currently using has a rubber type backing but I've used other types.

Doesn't that wore out spot cause you problems?

The carpet gives depth and reduces damage to the pelt and keeps the pelt from sliding. I only started using this 2 season ago after Morgan and Newt kept telling me to try it. It is amazing how I saw the results but would never try it till finally I thought what do I have to loose. Morgan or Newt can give the better answer to what is the pros vs cons.

Yes it's time to replace my carpet. The wore out spots can be problematic if your hurrying. I'm still trapping now and not putting up much fur. I'll replace it as soon as seasons over.

I am doing this also. It is shaving the whole way (beaver & otter.) Gave up the beam and the blue English system due to weakness and age. The trick is to only shave using one side of the knife. Then when I resharpen, the final pass is the side used to shave. That way the burr faces UP and does not cut down towards the follicles. Have not done a coon yet, but don't see why it would not work.

When I have to flesh a beaver or any other critter over my knee It's going to be time to hang It up. I use to do beaver that way but I don't see how that's going to work out when doing coon.

Take'n a break from flesh'n beaver now. Then I see theres a post about my beam.

Commercail carpet
Nap side up
Change out every year or two
Never wore a hole in any I put on my beam
You get less holes from nipples and burrs mised with fur comb
gives a better grip, The pelt does not slide as easy as a beam with out carper
Teacher I would have gave you some. But I knew you were flying home.

"It works for me"

Smells the same

what is window pane on coons?

Thanks everyone. I learned a lot at the Newt, Jonesie, and Morgan Snaring, DP and Cage Trapping school. This fleshing beam set up is innovative, too. After fleshing thousands of hides on a hard beam, having a softer surface might just take some of the strain out of my shoulders as well as not having to worry about going too deep when shaving gristle.

If I have the chance to attend the school again, I’ll go. There’s so much to learn both from the instructors and other students, it could have gone much longer.

Window pane on a pelt is when a patch of fur is missing from the fur side and you can kind of see thru the leather on the leather side. Can be caused by several things like taint I'm sure, but can definetly be caused by pushing to hard with a fleshing knife against a wood fleshing beam. Very common with our southern possums, some coon and occasionally on beaver and otter (in my experience). Usually shows up around the skirt area on my coon. Others may be able to describe it better.

Will let you know if I get a coon. before season ends here. I did hang up most land trapping - just too brutal. Water trapping ditches or from boat.

Should you ever become an elderly cripple who don't want to "hang it up," my advise would be carry a fully charged waterproof phone, use crutches that float, and pay no attention to negative comments.