Can anyone give me a step by step process as to how brain tannning is done? I tried going on the instructions of some sites on the web. I attempted a to tan a deer hide in this fashion and came out with something that looks like a dogs chew toy. And is there an easier way to get the hair off without wet scraping it? Chemicals that can be utilized?
First brain tanning adventure a disaster!
- Thread starter Charon
- Start date
Did you try either of these?
http://www.braintan.com/articles/furs/george1.html
http://www.nativetech.org/tanning/taneasy.html
Here is another home tanning option I came across. Note how to get the hairless hide at the bottom.
Before you flesh the hide soak it in a brine or borax solution to make flesh easier to remove. Let hide soak 12 hours (overnight will do). Take out the hide, rinse in fresh water and let drain. Then, while still moist, rub in salt until the flesh is completely covered. (Avoid getting the salt on the fur side). When the first application of salt has been absorbed, apply a second. Fold the hide in half lengthwise, flesh side to flesh side, roll up, and place it on a slanting surface so it can drain. Begin fleshing the next day.
Salt (brine) Solution: Dissolve 1 lb. of table salt per 2 gallons of water.
Borax Solution: Dissolve 1 ounce of borax per gallon of water. Use hot water to dissolve, put let cool before soaking.
Old Timey Tanning Recipe
This recipe has 2 advantages: Will not overtan and has no dangerous acids or vapors. However, you should still wear rubber cloves.
1. Use a large wooden or plastic container.
2. Add 5 lb. of table salt to 10 gal. of warm water. Water should be "soft", rainwater will do.
3. Next add 2 lb. of alum in enough hot water to dissolve it.
4. Combine both solutions, stirring with a wooden paddle. Solution can be used cold or warm but not hot.
5. Immerse hide in solution and stir gently twice a day. For perfectly tanned hides make sure that the solution reaches every cranny and wrinkle in the hide. The larger the hide the longer the soak. Rabbit hides about 2 days, coon about 3 days, and a deer 6-8 days.
6. To check to see if the hide is completely tanned cut off a tiny piece near one edge. If the color is uniform all the way through, the hide is tanned. If the center and edges are different colors, return to the solution for a another day or two.
Hairless Tan
If you want hairless leather, dehair before tanning. To dehair soak in a solution of 1 lb. of hydrated lime per 8 gallons of water. Soak for about 5 days. Stir occassionally with a wooden paddle. Once the hide has soaked, remove, rinse with fresh water, place fur side up on fleshing board and scrap the hair off with a dull edge.
http://www.braintan.com/articles/furs/george1.html
http://www.nativetech.org/tanning/taneasy.html
Here is another home tanning option I came across. Note how to get the hairless hide at the bottom.
Before you flesh the hide soak it in a brine or borax solution to make flesh easier to remove. Let hide soak 12 hours (overnight will do). Take out the hide, rinse in fresh water and let drain. Then, while still moist, rub in salt until the flesh is completely covered. (Avoid getting the salt on the fur side). When the first application of salt has been absorbed, apply a second. Fold the hide in half lengthwise, flesh side to flesh side, roll up, and place it on a slanting surface so it can drain. Begin fleshing the next day.
Salt (brine) Solution: Dissolve 1 lb. of table salt per 2 gallons of water.
Borax Solution: Dissolve 1 ounce of borax per gallon of water. Use hot water to dissolve, put let cool before soaking.
Old Timey Tanning Recipe
This recipe has 2 advantages: Will not overtan and has no dangerous acids or vapors. However, you should still wear rubber cloves.
1. Use a large wooden or plastic container.
2. Add 5 lb. of table salt to 10 gal. of warm water. Water should be "soft", rainwater will do.
3. Next add 2 lb. of alum in enough hot water to dissolve it.
4. Combine both solutions, stirring with a wooden paddle. Solution can be used cold or warm but not hot.
5. Immerse hide in solution and stir gently twice a day. For perfectly tanned hides make sure that the solution reaches every cranny and wrinkle in the hide. The larger the hide the longer the soak. Rabbit hides about 2 days, coon about 3 days, and a deer 6-8 days.
6. To check to see if the hide is completely tanned cut off a tiny piece near one edge. If the color is uniform all the way through, the hide is tanned. If the center and edges are different colors, return to the solution for a another day or two.
Hairless Tan
If you want hairless leather, dehair before tanning. To dehair soak in a solution of 1 lb. of hydrated lime per 8 gallons of water. Soak for about 5 days. Stir occassionally with a wooden paddle. Once the hide has soaked, remove, rinse with fresh water, place fur side up on fleshing board and scrap the hair off with a dull edge.