Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: criverkat on December 28, 2009, 06:32:37 pm
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I have been wanting to tan some rabbit hides can anybody tell me how its done
Thank DAVID
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Get in touch with Brian Melton on this site. He raises them for meat and the hides. He does it some how with battery acid from Radio Shack. Brian told me it is fast and easy.
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thanks mullet
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Brain tan works awesome on tame Rabbit hides.. Wild hides are usually too thin to tan.. Just stretch hide let dry, heat brains in water and make paste, rub in brain (pork or beef brains work great from local butcher) let sit on hide for overnight, then soak in cold water until pliable don't use hot water warm is OK, then work over a coarse rope that is somewhat taught, until hide is completely dry.. usually about an hour and a half.. they come out white and soft. works on most small critters and deer hides the same way.. Hawk
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thanks hawk what about fleshing the hide what works good on rabbit without tearing holes
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Here you go....http://wooliecreations.net/fun/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=56
I have read instead of acid you can use vinager same stuff off the grocery store shelf, but I have not tried it.
Equal parts denatured alchohol, and turpentine in a mason jar, again I have not tried this.
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Wow, Brian! that was quick. ;)
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Eddie,
Have had my face planted in something.... >:D
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Well,,,, I'm betting it wasn't rabbit skin. >:D ;) but still warm and fuzzy.
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Yep, just noy so fuzzy...... ;D
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Actually battery acid is "Sulphuric Acid, and Vinegar is Acetic acid. ;) Careful when using Sulphuric acid. years ago there was an article on how to tan a rattlesnake skin, using battery acid, in Sports Afield, or Outdoor Life, and I tried it when I was a kid. Didn't work very well for me. Of course, I was 12, but still I am pretty sure I followed the directions. ::) What about the egg method? Or Neatsfoot oil?
Wayne
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Just remember if using acid you add the acid to water not the other way around. The old saying holds true" add waster to acid, prepare to be blasted"
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Absolutely correct Eric. Also after whatever amount of time it takes, for the acid to do it's job, you would then bathe the hide in a solution of baking soda and water, for a couple of hours, and then rinse. The baking soda stops and neutralizes the action of the acid. ;)
Wayne
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Salt-Acid Tanning
Prepare the solution as follows:
Dissolve 1 pound of sodium chloride (salt) in 1 gallon of water.
Carefully add 1/2 ounce of concentrated sulfuric acid to the salt solution....never add water to the Acid!! (Caution: Sulfuric acid is very corrosive and must be handled with care. Avoid contact with skin or clothing. Store acid and the finished solution in glass or earthen containers--never metal.) When adding acid to the salt solution, pour in slowly with constant stirring. If the acid or mixture contacts the skin, rinse immediately with a solution of bicarbonate of soda.
Addition of the acid generates heat; the solution is ready for use after it has cooled.
Place the skin in the salt-acid solution so that it is fully covered and allow it to remain for 1-3 days with periodic stirring. When tanned, remove from tanning bath, rinse in plain water, rinse a second time in a solution of borax or soda (1 ounce per gallon of water), and finish with another water rinse. Squeeze out excess water, stretch, allow to partially dry, Stretch, and when nearly dry, work the skin by rubbing and pulling over the edge of a table, as in polishing shoes with a cloth. Stretching and working the skin is necessary for softening the finished skin. If the skin is rough, it can be sanded with a coarse sandpaper block. A thin coating of Neat's foot oil, glycerin, or other leather conditioner improves pliability.
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Well there you go David, it doesn't get any easier than that! ;)
Wayne
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i've never tried it but i can guarentee you that tame rabbit hides, specially the old one's are a heck of alot tougher than wild one's. good luck and let us know how it comes out!
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I recently saw some info on PaleoPlanet that said that battery-acid was very hard to neutralize in the skin. So after several years the furs will apparently disintegrate as the acid slowly continues it's work.
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My Father did a Deer Hide when I was a Kid with straight Sulfuric Acid....Hair On Tan....and I still have a Game Bag...and a small Pouch from this Hide...and it is still white...soft and pliable...without ever being oiled or anything....I think that the main concern would be....to make sure the Hide is neutralized well in a solution of Baking Soda and water until the PH is back up to neutral.....then it should be fine.....JMO