How to tan?

[stringnstik]

ok I is back boys.
The cow skin I salted is fairly stiff. I had to leave it rolled up in a car port in shade. It wasnt rained on but apparently it was dammed hot the last week or so.
So what is my next step?
I have taken it home now and have it in the garage. Somehow I have to soften it up so I can unroll it without cracking it and then erm.. tan it?

thanks for links and thoughts

[tracker]

I'm trying some foxes right now with a recipe from a local bloke.

500g Aluminium Sulphate dissolved in 4 litres of water. <I used hydrangea blueing solution if you can't find it.>

250g of salt <sodium chloride> + 125g of washing soda < sodium carbonate > dissolved in 2 litres of water.

Add salt/washing soda solution slowly to the aluminium sulphate and stir it hard.. fizzes like buggery.

He says rabbit 2 days, fox 3 or 4, roo 4 or 5...

Then semi dry and finish with half neatsfoot half water plus a dash of ammonia.

The skins come out light apparently. My other recipe with wattle bark turns the skin dark maroon.

I'll let you know how they turn out.

Mick.

[Mike-dy]

Pureed sheeps brains, google brain tanning, cheap from the local butcher or harvest them yourself. Best part of a sheep to eat as they are never used
Cheers,
Mike

[Steven J]

Throw the skin in a container of salty water. When the skin has softened use a comercial tanning kit. I have been using the Leder kits for years and have always had a good result.

Steve

[stringnstik]

Thanks guys, Main problem I see at the moment is finding a "container" big enough :lol

This is a full cow hide.
If I can soften and fold it in half I may be able to use the bath.