Easy tanning for small skins.

by GB 12th April 2011, 10:02 pm

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/1983-01-01/How-To-Tan-Rabbit-Hides.aspx

As I have just inherited nine rabbits - aged 4 weeks to gods only know how old - I will be trying the above tanning method not too far in the future.

And as they are, all but one, pet rabbit types, the fur is dense, long and very fluffy so they and the raccoon skins and squirrel skins in the freezer should make a nice fur throw rug Very Happy

by Wilhelm Von Rhomboid 12th April 2011, 10:18 pm

COTW is the expert on tanning small hides, GB.

by GB 12th April 2011, 10:50 pm

Is there a way to use a power tool to "Break the Skin"? My hands arent up to much right now, what with CTS in my thumb on my right Rolling Eyes

hand.

I am just going to freeze the rabbit skins until I can get arround to turning them into somehting nice and fluffy but the alum way seemed less likely to cause problems and easier then the way I did it last time Very Happy

by GB 12th April 2011, 11:35 pm

Here's another one for not so small hides Very Happy

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/1975-11-01/Sheepskin-Rugs.aspx

by GB 13th April 2011, 3:01 am

Would cutting the hides to fit an imbroidery frame and then poking it with something smooth like a drumstick work for the hide stretching bit? It would hold the edges nicely if cut to fit.

Hmmmm, might give it a try but with something home made and cheaper Cool

by GB 15th April 2012, 2:29 pm

Was given a great tip for breaking small hides..........................

A dryer! Turn off the heat part of the machine and the timer bit so it just runs cold until you turn it off, throw in your slightly damp hides and some trainers or old boots and let 'er run.

And run and run and run and run.

The heavy shoes and the tumbling combine to break the hides so - in theory - they come out soft and floofy and beautiful.

Shall see as soon as I can scrounge a drier Wink

by freebird 15th April 2012, 3:06 pm

GB wrote:Would cutting the hides to fit an imbroidery frame and then poking it with something smooth like a drumstick work for the hide stretching bit? It would hold the edges nicely if cut to fit.

GB I know nothing of tanning and have no practical experience in preparing animal skins, but as a calligrapher have worked with leather, vellum and parchment. I do know that if you poke a hole, or cut a slit, it is likely to tear. I would always use a wad punch for making a hole. Cowleys vellum works stretch their skins on large frames, and put something like a button or circular object in the edge of the skin, then wrap the skin around it, tying it around with the twine, the other end of the twine being attached to the stretching frame. So there are loads of these all around the skin, to keep an even tension. But no holes or slits, so no tearing.

None of this may be of any use at all, but hopefully there might be something for you.

by Wilhelm Von Rhomboid 15th April 2012, 3:31 pm

Just taken out my latest bacth of experminets out of their pickling and tanning tubs. The alum tanned sheepskin has come up really nicely apart form one small about 3" diametere where the wool has shed - not sure why, may have been folded funny there and the liquid didn't penetrate.
The big deerskin has come up very nicely as well - if a little creepy, as it still has its head and ears attached (albeit skinned) and dehaired it looks decidedly odd.
Have 3 more deerhides fur on, which will take longer to dry off, but are looking good. Am getting through huge quantities of neatsfoot oil.

by GB 14th June 2012, 12:25 am

Wilhelm Von Rhomboid wrote:Just taken out my latest bacth of experminets out of their pickling and tanning tubs. The alum tanned sheepskin has come up really nicely apart form one small about 3" diametere where the wool has shed - not sure why, may have been folded funny there and the liquid didn't penetrate.
The big deerskin has come up very nicely as well - if a little creepy, as it still has its head and ears attached (albeit skinned) and dehaired it looks decidedly odd.
Have 3 more deerhides fur on, which will take longer to dry off, but are looking good. Am getting through huge quantities of neatsfoot oil.

Care to start a new thread with a how to? My skin pile is clogging up my freezers Embarassed

by Jaded Green 20th June 2012, 4:36 pm

Every time I see this heading I think of people going brown before I realise!

by GB 20th June 2012, 9:34 pm

Jaded Green wrote:Every time I see this heading I think of people going brown before I realise!

How funny! I never thought of that Laughing

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