i am interested in trying to tan some skins for fun, but don't want to spend a lot on materials. i don't want to buy anything from WASCO because a local taxidermist told me the degreaser i bought from them for $15 dollars was nothing more than mineral spirits (it does smell suspiciously similar). what i really need to know is what materials i should use that are easily obtainable and where i can get them, and the "recepe" to tan. I've read a lot about the different acids, and i would like to know which is best or easier to get, and what oils to use. this has perplexed me a lot lately that WASCO sells all kinds of special stuff to tan even though the ol' trappers in the pioneer days did it in the backwoods with almost nothing at all. thanks a bunch,
-tim
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You really stepped in it now with both feet!
I don't have the eloquence (sp?) with words like George or John C..
Whatta ya say guys, how does the cow eat the cabbage in this case.
Let me see if I understand you correctly. You want to tan some skins for fun but you don't want buy anything from WASCO as you feel they are screwing you on their products. You are willing to get free advice from taxidermist's, like myself, who believe in supporting the one's that support them, on a website maintained and made possible by non other than WASCO.
Here's my advice for you. Get with YOUR
before I hit the wrong button, get with YOUR local taxidermist, who obviously knows all the cheap avenues to travel and get the information from him. There is also a really fantastic place that will let you have books for free! What is this incredible place you ask? It's called a LIBRARY! All you have to do is to promise to bring them back in a couple of weeks. You should be able to find some material on ancient backwood's tanning techniques. I do know that in order to make the skin pliable and soft, the ol' trappers and indians used to "break" the hides with their teeth. With all the money you'll be saving by not supporting WASCO, you should not have any problem affording the $99 dentures you see advertised on the billboards. Hope this helps. Alan C.
P.S. The first post should read "Reese..." or Tim or whatever you go by. Whatever it is, just go.
First off, WASCO I believe is a good company. I have bought eyes, ear liners, maniquins Liqui-tan dextrine etc, etc, and it has all seemed good but what is good to one person may not be to another. Myself, I like to try different methods to see what I like and this forum is a wonderfull help exploring that. Getting back to your back woods tanning. I just finished several of these projects on deer and squirrel skins "Thinner the skin easier to tan". My wife bought me the "third edition Taxidermy Guide By Russell Tinsley" For $14.95 Which was originally published in 1967. I am sure it is somewhat outdated, although I have had good luck with it. The basic things to tan a hide which are cheap and easy to get are: 8lbs salt, 4gal soft water, 1lb alum, and 1lb 20 mule team borax, mix this solution together and soak hide till white (7 to 10 days), rinse solution out with clean water and a little dawn detergent and let hide drain well, rub neatsfoot oil into hide and roll it up flesh side in overnight. The hard part is the hand stretching and pulling across a board until it is dry, this is what makes it soft. This is something you will be very proud of when you are done. One other method to check out is Amy Ritchies Taxidermy at www.amystaxi... Good Luck Reese, Get the book you will enjoy it, Chris
I'm glad you want to do things the hard way.When you get done with all that breaking and softening,and your first hide doesn't turn out the way you wanted it to,you will realize just how much money you really saved!Good luck!
That book IS outdated and the alum tan you mentioned will work, but it's STILL an alum tan. Don't get it wet later on or you'll have raw skins again. The newer synthetic tans work much better.
BTW, I've been accused of being the only smartass on here. Alan and Bullet, you guys done good. I loved it.
Bend over fur a gooad ass-kickin from everybody lined up behind you. Don't bite or insult the hand that feeds you...WASCO is the BEST.
Like...you're not going to buy gas for your car anynore?...because an Aussie or Britt telks you it's really "Petrol"?
~ ETCC
Although the book is outdated it will probrobly teach reese what he wants to know about doing it the old fashion way. After he does it the first time his body will be beat (as mine was) and WASCO will be his first call to find out how he can do it easier. As far as getting the hide wet you are probrobly right. I have not tried that yet, or even thought about that aspect of it. I will try an experement sometime and compare results, but I must say in a dry state I am very satisfied with the results. Thanks for the advice George. Chris