I want to learn tanning. I have a lot of Elk, Moose, Buffalo and cow, hides to practice on. I am going to build my own tumbler. What is a good diameter and width for a tumbler to do this with. I have been told the higher the drop, the better the softening of the hide that will ocure.
I have 2,8ft dia. spools made of 1"1/4 box steel, The center axis is 2 inch. I am gong to enclose it with 3/8 plyboard. Is this height an over-kill? How wide should the tumbler be? What is the size of most "Lifters in a tumbler? Is the rotation speed 3 RPMs? Any good books or tapes out there? Thanks jh
Return to Tanning Category Menu
he has info. on tumblers and can answer your q's. Also you can find some in the archives, using the orange search button, good luck.
Minimum of 6 ft. dia. and 4 ft. wide. Needs to hold 100 lbs of tumbler mix. Anything smaller and your waisting time and money. Like above, give Bruce a call. He sells plans for making one. Good Luck!
You've already had good advice! You need a Drum at least 6" high by 4" wide - or its a waste of your time! DON'T ATTEMPT TO TAN THESE THICKER SKINS WITHOUT A SHAVING MACHINE! It just won't work! They'll tan - but they will not be soft, like I'm sure you are expecting!