i have a 55 gallon tumbler. how many pounds of sawdust should i use to tumble capes etc. thanks in advance.
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I've seen this practice mentioned often of late. When did "tumbling deer hides" come into vogue? If you're tumbling it to soften the hide for a rug, the 55 gallon ain't cutting it. If you're tumbling it to dry it, why? I put wet tans in my washing machine and spin them dry. They mount so much better when they are damp and the skin has a "sticky" texture.
NOW, the rule of thumb I use on my tumbler is HALF FULL. I use it exclusively for birds and small fuzzy crittes, but I'll put a whole bag of corncob grit in my 33 gallon unit.
i did not know that tumbling deer hides was coming in "vogue". i do it to dry the capes a little. i only tumble them about fifteen minutes. i have always done it this way, and asked the question about the amount of sawdust, just to hear other ideas. i think it helps to dry the cape as well as "buff" the hair a little. thanks for the reply. the washing machine sounds like a good idea too.
It's a WHOLE LOT less expensive than the sawdust.
Hi George. You have hit the nail on the head again. I use the expensive sawdust for breaking hides only. I can't imagine using it to dry a hide and buff the fur.