Home tanning

Rigby · #1 05-02-2021, 06:28 PM

Does anybody have a method of tanning furs at home for garmet quality? Wanting to tan some muskrats and beavers at home and hoping to make for mittens for my new born in June. Tried the orange hide tanning formula but either I’m not doing something right or if I am the quality is not what I’m looking for.

HunterDave · #2 05-02-2021, 07:23 PM

Some guys on here were endorsing TruBond and said that it creates a garment type tan on thinner skinned pelts but not great on thick skinned beaver. I bought some but I haven’t tried it yet. Marty sells it.
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=371066

Rigby · #3 05-02-2021, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterDave

Some guys on here were endorsing TruBond and said that it creates a garment type tan on thinner skinned pelts but not great on thick skinned beaver. I bought some but I haven’t tried it yet. Marty sells it.
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=371066

Ok thanks Dave. I’ll look into that.

204ruger · #4 05-03-2021, 06:52 AM

I tan a lot of fox at home and since I have incorporated a drum into my process my furs have been coming out “garment quality”. I definitely would recommend to use something for tumbling in your process it helps out the quality of a home tanned product.

Marty S · #5 05-03-2021, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterDave

Some guys on here were endorsing TruBond and said that it creates a garment type tan on thinner skinned pelts but not great on thick skinned beaver. I bought some but I haven’t tried it yet. Marty sells it.
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=371066

I just carry it cuz it's very popular elsewhere, and heard on the forum that guys really like the stuff. We brought in the kits at first for people to try and now brought in a good portion of their line for people to top up if they decide they like the stuff.

I don't home tan yet... maybe after the great reset... if I have any money to experiment with such. Trudeau assures us we will be happy even tho we dont have anything... isnt that nice?

ruger300 · #6 05-03-2021, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 204ruger

I tan a lot of fox at home and since I have incorporated a drum into my process my furs have been coming out “garment quality”. I definitely would recommend to use something for tumbling in your process it helps out the quality of a home tanned product.

Do you use the tumbler after the tanning process?

Rigby · #7 05-03-2021, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 204ruger

I tan a lot of fox at home and since I have incorporated a drum into my process my furs have been coming out “garment quality”. I definitely would recommend to use something for tumbling in your process it helps out the quality of a home tanned product.

Ok big project maybe. Lol but I definitely appreciate the input I’ll definitely look into this.

shakeyleg02 · #8 05-03-2021, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marty S

I just carry it cuz it's very popular elsewhere, and heard on the forum that guys really like the stuff. We brought in the kits at first for people to try and now brought in a good portion of their line for people to top up if they decide they like the stuff.

I don't home tan yet... maybe after the great reset... if I have any money to experiment with such. Trudeau assures us we will be happy even tho we dont have anything... isnt that nice?

Did you get a new shipment in yet Marty ? Ill be looking for some as soon as i can get it

treeroot · #9 05-03-2021, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marty S

I just carry it cuz it's very popular elsewhere, and heard on the forum that guys really like the stuff. We brought in the kits at first for people to try and now brought in a good portion of their line for people to top up if they decide they like the stuff.

I don't home tan yet... maybe after the great reset... if I have any money to experiment with such. Trudeau assures us we will be happy even tho we dont have anything... isnt that nice?

Any luck tanning beaver hides for mitts using their system?

204ruger · #10 05-04-2021, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruger300

Do you use the tumbler after the tanning process?

I use it during the drying process. After the hides have hung a little bit to dry usually a couple hours at room temperature, just as the leather is able to be broken. Still have to break the hide a little by hand in my process but the tumbling definitely makes a huge improvement for me.

sheep · #11 05-04-2021, 02:55 PM

I've been trying the same thing, wanted to make some beaver hats for my kids on the trapline next winter. I done 7, 1 turned out really good and the other 6 are just ok. I couldn't figure out what was different with the one, maybe just a thinner skin?

I was thinking of building a tumbler, then priced out plywood.....

The coyotes I done turned out really well, but being thin skinned I guess thats expected.

Anyone have a tumbler near Rocky Mtn Hse?

shakeyleg02 · #12 05-04-2021, 08:08 PM

Beaver will need to be thinned to come out soft down the back will need to be as thin as the belly skin ..not an easy quest for the home tanner

Battle Rat · #13 05-04-2021, 10:05 PM

Fox, coyote and even wolf are real easy to get a nice soft pelt.
Badger and beaver need a lot of thinning to get a soft tan.
I use an air powered Miniflesher that is OK for small pelts.
It really excells at thinning whitetail and mule deer capes.
I'm scottish and can't justify the cost of a bench mounted fleshing wheel.
With beaver, thin until you think it is soft enough the keep going.
Even a small, bear is easier to get soft than a beaver.
When drying, oil, break,and repeat 2 more times.
The good thing about beaver is there is no shortage of pelts to practice on.

Marty S · #14 05-04-2021, 10:59 PM

FOR SALE -1 (One) MiniFlesher in Like New Condition!!!

PM for price detailsetc, guess i shoukd figure it out! The price, details etc

Battle Rat · #15 05-04-2021, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marty S

FOR SALE -1 (One) MiniFlesher in Like New Condition!!!

PM for price detailsetc, guess i shoukd figure it out! The price, details etc

I can say one other thing about the mini flesher is that a blade lasts a long time.
I don't know how many capes and pelts I've fleshed, probably a hundred before replacing a blade.
It just gets hard to hold.
Two deer capes a day is about all you want do.

South west trappin RG · #16 05-05-2021, 08:55 AM

The mini flesher you better have a big air compressor an it will run most of the time. Bench mounted fleshers are so much easier to use. I have a mini flesher if someone wants to borrow it,I used it once an put it back in the box.