Who here has taken a crack at tanning?

[Capt-D]

After the Outdoors Without Limits Sika Deer Hunt this weekend I got to Sika hides that were otherwise going to be thrown away. Right now they are rolled up tight in a bag in the freezer. Any try tanning themselves?

-D

[homewrecker]

What are you looking to do with them?do you want them soft if so you want a "Garment Tan" which usually involves sending them to a Commercial Tannery.

[Dave Sikorski]

???

http://www.vandykestaxidermy.com/subcategory/104/

-D

[Capt-D]

Dave

I was looking there and figured on getting the 2lb Lutan F Kit. Looks like it is enough to do all three if you want to try to stumble through it with me. I figure it this way, why not learn on these two hides that were gonna be trash anyway and then try working on yours.

Anyone gone through this already?

-D

[Capt-D]

What are you looking to do with them?do you want them soft if so you want a "Garment Tan" which usually involves sending them to a Commercial Tannery.

Just looking to try it out. Just another something that would be good to just know a little about. I have two hides I figure I will try one at a time that way if the first slips then I have a piece of leather and can try to improve on the second one!

-D

[homewrecker]

The first step is to cut all the steaks off.Then you need to pickle it to keep the hair from slipping.Then you need to shave the hide as thin as you can get it,you will see the skin get a bluish tint when you are close to being thin enough.If you dont get the hide thin enough the tan wont set.The pickle solution I use is a mixture of Formic Acid,Non Iodized Salt and water you want your ph between 2-3.You can make a fleshing beam out of 2x6 lumber and I guess a fleshing knife is somewhere around 50 bucks now.They have a Citric acid pickle solution out that I have not used so I cant comment on it.After the hide is thinned I take a coffee cup 3/4 full of Liqua-Tan and warm it in the microwave for about 45 seconds to thin it out some,then use your hands with latex gloves on and pour it on the skin side and work it all over,roll the hide up and stick in the fridge for a day or two.Then I wash it out using a conditioning shampoo and hang it to dry.This is what works for me but there are other methods that someone else may recommend,remember quality has no short cuts.I would experiment with those hides and then try to get a hide or two in the early season there is a big difference since the hair from the early season is shorter and softer.

[Nimrod]

Oh lordy Dennis. At first I didn't notice which forum this was posted in and when I read "Who here has taken a crack at tanning? " I pictured ole cappy-D himself trying to squeeze into one of them fancy tanning beds.

Bad visual......I mean you with those little eye protector thingies....yikes!

[Dave Sikorski]

I'm down for giving it a try D.

-D

[Wild Life Management]

Oh lordy Dennis. At first I didn't notice which forum this was posted in and when I read "Who here has taken a crack at tanning? " I pictured ole cappy-D himself trying to squeeze into one of them fancy tanning beds.

Bad visual......I mean you with those little eye protector thingies....yikes!

Oh man, I didn't think of it like that, I just spit OJ all over the place.

Dave and Dennis, keep us posted as to the progress of the DEER tanning. I have been wanting to experiment with this myself.

[homewrecker]

If you guys need any help or dont understand something PM me and I will try to walk you thru it.I live outside of Baltimore and if you need any supplies I may be able to help.