I have a very small shop, and the worst task I have to do in limited space is salting and drying capes/hides. I've heard recommendations of using small children's wading pools, milk crates, etc., but surely someone else has come up with unique ways of handling this chore with limited space. Any suggestions?
For several years now I have been using plastic trays. Although I do have a fair size salt room [ 12 X 20 ] I still run out of room . The trays cut down on the drying time. I keep the trays [ 18 X 24 ] beside my work bench.As soon as I finish caping a head I salt the cape, fold flesh side to flesh side and once in half. I place the cape on the tray on an incline so the fluid drains to one end. Usualy about 2 cups of fluid will drain off. Towards the end of the day I drain the fluid and hang up the cape to drip dry for several minutes. Then it goes down to the salt room. Where I resalt and dry. By draing off this fluid it has realy cut down the drying time.
Hi Chris,
WE ALSO HAD A SPACE PROBLEM GOING ON.WE SOLVED IT SO YOU HAVE THE ROOM WHEN THE HIDES ARE DRY.
FIND A 60 GAL TANK OFF AN OLD WATER HEATER-HAVE IT CUT IN HALF.PROP IT UNDER THE SIDE WITH A COUPLE HUNKS OF WOOD.(USE THE OTHER HALF FOR B-B-QUE PIT)?PUT A SAWHORSE ON EACH END AND 2 OR 3 2X2S ACROSS.YOU CAN HANG QUITE A FEW HIDES ON THESE.LINE YOUR TANK WITH PLASTIC AND A FEW SHAVINGS TO SOAK UP DRIPS. WHEN DONE HAUL PLASTIC AWAY-NO CLEAN UP.THEN PICK UP SAWHORSES AND WOOD.GO QUICKLEY TO THE OTHER HALF OF THE TANK-THROW AN OVEN RACK ACROSS IT AND HAVE A BREW.CALL SOME BUDDIES AND HAVE A BEAST FEAST:)LOL
If you can find them an old bread rack is great. Just put the rack over some plastic. Great air circulation. I put fresh hides on the bottom rack then move them up as they dry
Dave Toms