I just built a new studio and now am wanting to seperate my salting area . I plan to add a seperate building for this . If anyone has any advice on this area I would appreciate some input. I'm concerned w/ currosion of nails , proper ventalation , bug investation , should I incorporate windows to prevent mildew? , etc.
Thanks-
Shannon
One of the best layouts I've ever worked with, also had a seperate "Salt Room" and it worked very successfully! Obviously one of its best attributes is - that if you do need more room eventually - you can expand it without sacrificing or disrupting your Shop or Tannery area! As to hints - to prevent the corrosion of nails, will be extremely difficult. Using SS or other high priced nails would make your costs outrageously high - however, you can prevent your floor nails somewhat by laying down Linoleum on the floor. That way you prevent seepage into the flooring and cleanup is easy. Also buy yourself some Plastic shovels for shoveling the Salt - they'll last forever! A lot of Tanneries reuse their "clean" Salt. If you use Salt on some "tainted" maybe type skins however, its wise to get rid of it. Dont take any chances on carrying over Bacteria or molds to your next skin. Have 1-2 large Floor fans available for use, and if possible, a Dehumidifier will do wonders for you. Build yourself a Salt Rack for Salting and Drying the skins and capes! Keep it high enough off the floor so you can easily shovel up Salt from the Floor and be sure to leave walk space completely around it. A good size is 7' X 9'! I like the type that is built like a low "A" frame. Slightly high in the middle. Its a good idea to insulate this area, so its not at the mercy of the outside weather temperatures. Heat is good also! Ideally you should have a range in temp from 65- 75 degrees - but for practical purposes, even a range of 50-75 is good! You dont want it so cold the Salt doesnt disolve well on the skin. For hanging your skins to dry after Salting - use irrigation pipes (non-corrossive) slung in insultaed wire hangers so they can be taken down when not used. Try to hustle up some Pallets in your locale for storing the hides on. They will also help keep lots or different types of skins seperated and make it easier for you to track and schedule. Yes - use windows to let in some sunlight, for lighting purposes as well as to allow airing out sometimes. As far as bug infestation goes - Schedule once a Month to complete "Fog" the area. I'd keep a couple (2) empty Plastic Drums in this area to simply use for "de-bugging" incoming hides too! When the hides come in - Spray the inside of the drum with your insecticide - put the skins in - leave for 1-2 hours, unseal and flesh and Salt. It keeps the insecticide from permeating the room and affecting you too! This room or area is also a good place to locate your fleshing Beam! The Linoleum is again - easy to clean up, and it saves running back and forth to your Shop. Some skins take weeks to dry. This is true of Bison and Cow hides. A good idea is to build a Fold away Steep sided A frame to drape them over and support their weight. Also I like to spray them down weekly using an atomizer filled with a good Bacteriacide/Fungicide like Rittels PS-650! This will prevent any bacteriacide - and mildew or mold growth. These are simply ideas I've taken from working in other Tanneries and in my own Shop. I wish you success in your new Studio!