2 Questions

[S.A.M.]

Hello everyone, I am very new to this forum and to the art of taxidermy. There is no one in my family that has ever taking up this hobby so it is very hard for me to figure it all out. There are so many step-by-step instructions out there that I have read and I think I have the basics, but I do have 2 questions (all of which are referring to small mammals):

1. Can I salt the hide then soak it in Denatured Alcohol then tan it or is that overkill? (I do understand that soaking in DA is not tanning)
2. I am having a very hard time finding a relatively easy tanning method or a tanning solution I am only 16 so I don't have much money therefore I am not at all expecting a professional looking hide. So is there a relatively easy tanning method or solution?

Thanks,
Steven

[coonhollow]

I would forget the Denatured Alcohol.

this should be all you need to get started.
http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,56668.0/topicseen.html

[jnc]

If you're looking for 'easiest' with regards to small mammals, just go with dry preservative..... the laundry detergent '20 mule team Borax' found in the supermarket works just fine.  If you want go a step further, use the DN Alcohol - 50/50 cut with water.... soak, rinse and borax.  Next simplest (IMO) is krowtann....... no salting needed, just follow the directions on the bottle.  One bottle will do 4 batches and runs around 24.00 per bottle + shipping.  You can go on and on with regards to numerous products out there to be had, it's very much a personal preferance when you're discussing the small, thin skinnned mammals.  

[markdias]

For any small mammal, rabbit, squirrel etc;
Use a mix of Denatured Alcohol and Pure Gum Turpentine Shaken 50/50, Remember Shaken not stirred.
After Skinning put the skin into the mix and shake well, Leave for 24 hours
After 24 hours remove from the mix squeeze out and flesh, Soak in the mixture another 24 hours.
Remove squeeze out and wash in Dawn, Tumble or Towel dry mount as usual.
Hope this helps.

[S.A.M.]

With regards to jnc's reply,

After I soak in DA and water, rinse then borax; should I tan?

[MLP]

S.A.M. you're trying to over-complicate things.  Using the dry preservative (DP) method, or using denatured alcohol (DA) are both methods of preserving skins in lieu of tanning.  You do not tan if you preserve the hides by either of these methods.  If you intend to tan, do not use either DP or DA.  If you intend to tan, Krowtan or one of the brush on tans are the simplest methods.  I am not trying to qualify or rate any of the methods mentioned, there's plenty of information and different opinions expressed over each method in the archives.  I just want to point out that you either preserve or tan, but don't do both on the same hide.

[George Roof]

THANK YOU MLP.  I started reading this crap and was about to spasm over the misinformation being put out there.  WHY on God's green earth would ANYONE every use pure gum turpentine and denatured alcohol in the same sentence??? After that I was expecting to see the antifreeze tans recipes start showing up.

[S.A.M.]

Thank you for the info. I hope I am not being annoying but I do have one other question. If I plan to mount should I tan or DP?

[Nina]

It depends on what you will be working on. DP is desirable on most any small game (Squirrel, fox, even coyote) If you're mounting a deer, I suggest tanning.

[S.A.M.]

So all I have to do for DP is put borax on the hide?

[bluetaxi69]

exactly

[George Roof]

So all I have to do for DP is put borax on the hide?

DP and borax are NOT the same chemicals.  Borax may work, but it's not as good as DP in that application.

[S.A.M.]

What are some DP chemicals out there, besides borax? Will salt work?

[Hoytman]

I seriously feel like I lost brain cells after reading this.. I mean, WTF.. their is a button up top... and one that says ADVANCED search.. underlined and in red font..click the dang thing.... If one would click, read, read and read.. the stupid questions would be minimal.. someone pass me a midol please

[Mark D]

Dry preserve is the stuff labeled "dry preserve" in the taxidermy supply catalogues.