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Tan-A-Long
El Destructo:
Jeff...where are you getting Bulk Aluminm Sulfate at? I really need some....I have a good supply of Sulfuric Acid.... now I need the others!
HoBow:
Youngbowyer- Yep, squirrels are an easy tan with this method.
El Destructo- I get my Aluminum Sulfate from Univar, but have also got it from Brenntag. If I remember from one of your posts, you work at a Refinery...Univar should have a strong presence in their so contact the rep and I bet he would give you a good deal. Any chemical distributor would work (Univar, Brenntag, Ashland, Harcross, etc). You could probably contact one of the industrial cleaners (PSC, Hydrochem, etc) and they should be able to help you out.
El Destructo:
Thanks Jeff ...I have a Hydrochem Company in Town...also Univar too! Also how do you Pickle with Sulfuric Acid...just add till you get the proper PH?? I am wanting to do a Hair-On Tan with a Cow Elk Hide....I tried for two Months to give it away so I could get room in my Freezer...but nobody wants to pay Shipping....and I ain't shipping it for Free!! So I will tan it myself I guess
This has been a a very Informative Tan a Long....I appreciate the time you have taken and can't wait for the Ending!!
HoBow:
El D- Just add the sulfuric until the PH gets between 2-3. Sulfuric is a strong acid so it will drop really fast once it starts to go down.
HoBow:
Once I pulled the hides out of the tanning solution, I let them sit until they are almost dry. Becuase it has been extremely wet and humid here lately, I actually let them sit for about 36 hours and they were still a little wet, but I started to work them anyway. I did a few hides this summer where I sat them on the hood of my car and came back 10 minutes later and they were stiff as a board. You can tell they are ready to work when you stretch the hides and they hold the form well and are not floppy.
Picture 1- Through every step, I continue to puill the extra fat, meat, and grizzle off. Most of this came off the edges as I am just going to cut the edges off anyway so I did not work them that much.
Picture 2- I am actually tanning three hides throug this process. I wanted to post this hide to show everyone that it is not that different from building bows. You can do everything correct and still have problems. It might be the hide (or wood) and the project was a disaster from the get-go without even knowing. This particular hide tore a bit easier when I was cleaning it. There were some black spots on the hide, but I just assumed it was bruised. I don't think it is mold as it will not wipe off, and I'm not sure this even caused the probelms.
Picture 3- This is the same hide. I had several spots of bad hair slippage. I know it was not the process as the other two hides had minimal slippage. I will probably end up dehairing the entire hide and use the leather for other projects like bow handles.
Picture 4- This was a bit hard to document as I was alone. You need to work the hide from every angle; diagonal and side to side. Stretching will take several hours depending on the weather. If it is humid, it could take an entire day. If the weather is more dry, you could probably do it in an hour or two. Unfortunately, living on the gulf coast this is a very long process for me as we are extremely humid most of the year.
Picture 5- Continue stretching
Picture 6- Continue stretching
The more you stretch it, the softer it will get. I have worked hides until they were as soft and flexable as a leather jacket you buy at the store. I have also let stay stiff depending on the project. I will work these hides, but not a great deal as they are going to be used for quivers. They need to stay a bit stiff for this, in my opinion. Breaking the hide in is complete when you can't stretch the hide and it is dry.
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