hides are ready to come out of the lime

[whipit]

Hi All. Well the hides are ready to come out of the lime. By this the hair is starting to slip. Put the hide over your fleshing beam and push the hair off first than turn the hide over and flesh it. I use a fleshing knife that can be obtained from a hunting store or E-Bay. I also hold a water hose in one hand with one of the handles of the fleshing knife. This helps keep the knife clean and washes the hide at the same time. For a fleshing beam I use an old concrete water trough.

Now that the hide has the hair and flesh taken off you will need to de-lime the hide. There are 3 ways to do this.

Sulphuric Acid, Sulphate of Ammonia, and Vinegar. I will not go into the acid unless someone asks.

Sulphate of Ammonia: Can be obtained from a garden store as it is a fertilizer. To 90L (20gal) of water add 2kg (4 lbs) of Sulphate of Ammonia. Handle the hide in this than leave for 24hrs. I use this for large hides or for a large number of small hides. After 24hrs the hide is washed and is ready to go to the next step.

Vinegar: Can be obtained from a grocery store. I use white cleaning vinegar. To every 20L (4.4gal) of water add 2L (4liq pt) of vinegar. Handle the hide in this than leave it in this for 24hrs. I use this for 1 - 2 small hides.

After 24hrs the hide is washed and is ready to go to the next step.

Pickling: This step is not required but helps the tanning process go a little quicker. Most times I skip this stage and go to the next but if I only have a few small hides I will pickle them until I have 8 - 10 hides to tan. Pickled hides will keep for several months if kept moist and in a sealed container. To 90L (20gal) of water add 7kg (16lbs) of salt and 118mil (1/4liq. pt) of sulphuric acid. Work the hides in this and leave soke for 24hrs. Note: Always add the acid to water and NOT water to acid.

Now I will tell you of another way to cut out all the hard work. Surch around for a tannery that deals in wet blue hides. Some tannery's will sell these hides too you and all the hair and flesh has bean taken off. Saddle tree makers use these hides so ask around it dose save alot of work.