Re: alum tanning hides
[Re: at1aw97]
#4657131
09/22/14 01:06 PM
09/22/14 01:06 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,208 ND
grumley701
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From what I understand about Alum tanning it isn't a true tanning more of a pickling of the hide. If the hide gets wet repeatedly the fur could slip, is that true? (for those in the know)
Pure Blood
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Re: alum tanning hides
[Re: at1aw97]
#4657152
09/22/14 01:28 PM
09/22/14 01:28 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 47,020 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
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james bay frontierOnt.
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Good for a wall hanger.It has to be re-tanned (ie chrome or veg) to withstand garment use.An alum tan will leach out of the leather if it gets wet from sweat etc. An alum tanned hide is easy to re-tan with better results than a straight garment tan.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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Re: alum tanning hides
[Re: at1aw97]
#4657212
09/22/14 02:05 PM
09/22/14 02:05 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,208 ND
grumley701
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Thanks Boco..that is what I've been told.
Pure Blood
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Re: alum tanning hides
[Re: at1aw97]
#4657366
09/22/14 04:07 PM
09/22/14 04:07 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 47,020 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
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Tanning chemicals can be slightly caustic but they are not toxic unless you drink them or something like that. After an alum tan you can re-tan with any commercial tanning product with great results.A good one is Lutan F.I have been told.I have never used that particular product yet. You can veg tan a furskin that has been alum tanned first and get lasting garment quality product.Quebracho is the veg tanning agent most easily obtained(the brown logwood trap dye is quebracho).The only problem is it stains the fur of light colored animals.Bark,leaves and galls of certain plants,etc have tannins in them and they can be extracted for tanning purposes,it depends on how much work you are prepared to do.Large tanneries in the mid 1800's were located in central Ontario because the bark of the hemlock tree(high in tannin) was readily available. I would say they are all easy to work with,but tanning skills require practice.Pretty hard to go wrong when you do an alum tan first. A beaver and an otter veg tanned with quebracho after being alum tanned first.This tan is great for mitts as the leather is extremely durable.
Last edited by Boco; 09/22/14 04:15 PM.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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Re: alum tanning hides
[Re: at1aw97]
#4657559
09/22/14 06:41 PM
09/22/14 06:41 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 47,020 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
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FT,the chrome used in tanning is not toxic-it is tri-valent chrome salt.It is used as food additive as the body uses this type of chrome. The dangerous chrome is hexavalent chrome.A while back some leathers imported from India and China had traces of hexavalent chrome in them giving chrome leather a bad rap. 90% of all leathers used today are chrome tanned.I got this information from the leather institute in England which tests leather and is at the top in leather chemistry and new tanning technology. I use a spokeshave on the beam to thin thick hides.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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Re: alum tanning hides
[Re: Boco]
#4657792
09/22/14 08:34 PM
09/22/14 08:34 PM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 51 southwest wisconsin
at1aw97
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beautiful furs. Mine is a hog with hair off. I have a pound of salt and a 1/2 pound of alum in 2 1/2 gallons of water if I recall correctly. If you think I should add more of something please let me know. I'm planning on making a work apron(so I don't get so messy next time) or a pair of chaps for cutting wood, or something. since this is my first attempt I'm not planning on mine looking near as professional as yours BUT HOPEFULLY SOMEDAY!!!
last question. If I smoke the alum tanned hides would that make them more water resistant and better for clothing. this was my plan. You have been a great help, wish I would have gotten on here sooner.
14-15 trapping
1/40 coon 0/2 fox 0/4 coyote 2/0 dirty possums 2/0 rabbit 1/0 cats
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Re: alum tanning hides
[Re: at1aw97]
#4657823
09/22/14 08:46 PM
09/22/14 08:46 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 47,020 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
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For an apron or chaps I would recommend a re tan with veg. Since it is hair off you should be ok with the mix you did. Aluminum sulfate(another type of alum)and pickle salt is mixed 1 lb to 1 lb to 2 gal of water.
Last edited by Boco; 09/22/14 08:47 PM.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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Re: alum tanning hides
[Re: at1aw97]
#4658521
09/23/14 10:24 AM
09/23/14 10:24 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 47,020 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
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I have only smoked soap(brain)tanned hides.It wouldn't hurt it to try.I have also re-tanned soap tanned fur with quebracho, and it turned out very good with fast penetration of the tannins that is necessary to preserve the fur and not have hairslip. If you try smoking your alum tanned pig skin,make sure it does not get any heat or it will ruin it. Smoke both sides,and let us know how it turns out. After you are done smoking the hide,and it is soft and dry,you can check it by wetting a piece,then letting it dry.If it is easy to soften it might be good.If it is stiff and cracks means the smoking did not work. I find the thing that keeps tanning interesting is experimenting with different methods and combinations of methods.
Last edited by Boco; 09/23/14 10:41 AM.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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Re: alum tanning hides
[Re: at1aw97]
#4659013
09/23/14 05:27 PM
09/23/14 05:27 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 47,020 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
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I have tanned beaver fresh, salted, salt dried, and dried,and all turned out.With dried skins,you need to get them relaxed like when they were fresh skinned,and I always pre tan with aluminum sulfate before either chrome tanning or veg tanning.Beaver takes a lot of oiling.Also a lot of shaving with the spokeshave especially around the shoulders and cheeks.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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