Got a question? Want to do some tanning and looking into makiing my own breaking drum, I was going to use a 45 gal drum and power it with a 1/2 Hp electric motor. The barrel would sit a frame or stand if you will and be turned by a belt around the complete barrel and connected to the motor.Will put the smallest pulley I can find so the drum is slow turning, I want to acheive about 7-9 rpm
Is that to slow?and will the 45 barrel handle the hides I will be doing, mostly beaver and small furs and I would like to break some of my own deer or bear?
Let me know what you think I have found a guy in Moose Jaw (Canada)which is not that far away who sell par-tan and par-soft and Crowtan that is what I was going to use on you guys recommendation or have you found some better stuff.
The other question is? if the drum will work and speed is ok how long does it take to turn the hide in the drum 6hrs 8hrs 4 hrs?
Thks, Andy
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Andy, you'd better spend some time in the archives before you start biting into a sidewalk. The MINIMUM for a hide breaking drum is in excess of 5 feet in diameter, more like 8 to 10. You're wasting your time.
Beside the fact that even with a 1750 rpm motor you will still need a reduction gear. The tumbler will be no where big enough for breaking. there will not be enough fall to properly do the job. we have a 102 inch Oak wine cask that was made into a tumbler for breaking hides. beleave me when we have a bunch of real big bear to do it is not big enough. the fall is esential to good breaking. and although very slow is good for drying a cape, or hide. too slow is not when breaking.
I'm in Canada to Andy. Perhaps with what I know and you know we can come up with a plan. Please email me.
I have used my 55 gallon tumbler that I made a long time ago.
I have three large sledge hammers without the handles, and a long chain in with the skins while I tumble them. Seems to work just fine.
I am sure George will tell me that is not what a sledge hammer is for. Not to mention the chain.
It still works, I let the tumbler go for about a half hour for thin skins and longer for the thicker ones.
Well guys, thanks for the information. I guess hitting the archives would be a good idea to get a better idea, I just wanted to throw out what I had in mind to see what anyone thought. Roadkill, the idea of the chain wrapping up and ripping hides scares me, so I don't think I'll go that route. George, I think I'll go with the bigger plan.
Thank you all for the help!
Andy
Never had it happen in 27 years. Why do you think I still use it?
Doesn't sound too bad. You can't really critisize it till you try it. I think that I will actually. Saves on wood chips and corn cobs! :7)
Use an old dryer with a broken heating unit. Make sure to close up the heating vent before you try to tumble a hide in it.
be CREATIVE and have FUN with it!
Good luck with whatever you chose