Anyone know where I can get Alum for curing skins (Aluminium potassium sulphate)? or have any other recipes for curing?
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Anyone know where I can get Alum for curing skins (Aluminium potassium sulphate)? or have any other recipes for curing?
Try Farmlands
Cheers
Pete
I had a recipe years back. It used alum or Chrome alum, the chrome alum meant the finished skins were machine washable. A deer skin I tanned in 1992 is still looking good (except where the Jack Russell had a chew...).
I bought the chrome alum from the chemist, it came in 500g tubs. The recipe included flour and olive oil, and I think salt. The flour was to turn it into a paste, oil would have been as an emulsifier.
i need some chrome alum, i have had great results with it in the past but now i cant seem to track any down.
Pool floc is potassium aluminum sulphate ( alum)
@Marty Henry. Is that a particular brand you are talking about? From what I have seen Floc is just Aluminium sulphate, not Alum (no potassium or ammonia).
I think I will give it a try though as it is cheap.:)
I just ask the local chemist to order some for me. Easy
Ok. I asked at two chemists (pharmacies) and they weren't at all helpful.
How much did you pay for it @Chicken?
Google just gave me this;
Alum Powder - NZ Chemical Suppliers
Thanks @SiB. Contacted a number of those suppliers are have had some success, albeit not cheap.
Not sure what it cost now was a few years ago. I'll try and find the bottle tomorrow, see if there's a price on it. Pretty sure I used kero and baking soda with it, did a hare skin and a slinky. Was heaps left over I think. Actually did one skin, scraped the brew off, soften with more kero and did the next one.
I take it you aren't considering using a product like Leders or similar?
Tanning Products - Hunting and Outdoor Supplies
@Shearer
Try an industrial chemist, not the local snake oil salesmen
https://www.clarkproducts.co.nz/
Cheers
Pete
Thanks @Marty Henry, that is what I needed to know. I can get Floc (aluminium sulphate) from Bunnings for under $10/kg compared to $50/kg for Aulm and I don't plan on getting the skin wet.
Thanks everyone for the help.
How did the skin turn out Shearer ? Must be done by now
Only fair I would have to say. Finish is ok but the tail hasn't got very soft. Hasn't lost any fur and doesn't smell funny so I am happy.
Attachment 77898
What was your tanning mix? 2:1alum and salt with kero or olive oil is one ive used before does take a bit of work to break the skin afterwards to get it supple though.
Everything You Need to Know About Tanning Animal Pelts.: 9 Steps
Used the Alum/borax method.
Looks alright done a good job on it .