Leather is a material made from the skin of an animal.Leather is not susceptible to decay because the structure of the skin is changed.The process of making leather has been around for thousands of years.
Step 1: The skin can be removed from an animal.
If possible, skin the animal on it's back on an incline.You can use a gut hook knife to gut the animal.Remove the sex organs.Remove the tail from the animal.You can Peel back the skin with a knife.Remove the organs by spreading the rib cage.Remove the hide by flipping the animal over.
Step 2: The hide needs to be removed.
The flesh is removed from the inside of the skin with a mechanical fleshing machine.Excess flesh can be eliminated by running the inside of the skin over the steel roller.If you don't have access to a fleshing machine, you can purchase tools from a hunting store.The flesh must be draped over the beam.Stand at the end of the beam and use your body weight to pin a small section of hide.You can spread the hide out on the ground if you don't have a beam to use.As you remove the excess tissue and fats from your work area, place a large basin or bucket below.Use your fleshing tools to remove the subcutaneous materials.The veins need to be removed.Work until the surface is complete by rotating the hide.If you need to take a break, leave the hide as the material can dry out.The end result should be a white, smooth surface after the hide has been fleshed out.
Step 3: Don't wash the skin.
If you want to create a brine, apply a generous layer of salt to the skin.This will keep the hide from decomposing.If fresh skins are not salted or frozen in the first few hours, they may be destroyed.The flesh sides are together if you fold the hide in half.For 24 hours, leave.Remove any remaining salt.Add one pound of salt per one gallon of water to create a brine solution.The hide should be kept out of the water for 24 hours.
Step 4: Take the skin out of the water.
It will remove dirt and other materials from the skin.Fresh, cool water can be put in a 35 gallon container.Put the hide in the water for a day.The longer the hide soaks, the easier it will be to remove hair.
Step 5: The hair needs to be removed from the skin.
The solution of calcium oxide can be used to do this.The same tools can be used for dehairing.Hang the skin to dry after removing all the hair.
Step 6: The skin should be given a final lime bath.
Limewater can be created by adding 5mL of calcium hydroxide per gallon of water.The bath is called bating and will remove inter-fiber substances.It will help to loosen the hairs on the skin.Remove the skin from the lime bath.
Step 7: Decide on the tanning process.
Depending on the method you choose, this can be a one to four day process.A vegetable tannage can be performed.There are a variety of different tree barks that can be used in a vegetable tannage.The animal's skin is placed in a rotating drum with the extract mixed with water.The extract will be evenly distributed by the rotation of the drum.A leather that is flexible and used for furniture or luggage can be produced in about three to four days.A mineral tannage is done.There is a chemical called chromium sulfate.The animal skin needs to be sufficiently soaked in to get proper tannage.This process takes around 24 hours to complete and produces a leather that is stretchable.There is a hide with brains.Home tanning methods include brain tanning.Each animal has enough brains to hide.You can buy a brain from your butcher if you have the animal's brain.If you want to make it smooth, combine it with water and blend it.The mixture can be boiled in a large pot.Add some water and a bucket to cool the brains.The water should be four-one to the brain.Take the hide and massage it into the skin.For up to 24 hours, leave the room at room temperature.
Step 8: The drum has leathers in it.
You will need a big container to hold your hides and tanning agent.The container should be around 35-40 gallons.
Step 9: The tanning agent should be put in the drum.
The water will be replaced by the chemicals or substances with the help of the tannin you choose.Depending on the tanning method you use and the size and quantity of hides, you will need to let the leather soak for several hours to 6 days.
Step 10: Add any dyes to the container.
The leather can be given a color other than the natural look with the use of dyes.If you want to dye all of your leather the same color, you can either add the dye during the tanning process or wait until the leather is tan.
Step 11: The leather needs to be cleaned.
The leather needs to be washed after tanning.Chemicals and dyes will be removed if this is done.Mild soaps with natural ingredients can be used.
Step 12: The leather needs to be dry.
The skins can be considered leather after the tannage process.To dry the leather, hang it out to dry.There is a cool semi-moist area where you can hang the leather over the rods.It is possible to speed up the drying process with a fan, but leather should dry slowly so be patient.If the leather isn't drying evenly, use some damp rags to remoisten the areas that are drying faster.
Step 13: The leather needs to be softened.
The leather can be softened by stretching and lubricating it with natural oils.The leather stays supple.You can stretch the hide as much as you want by hanging it up from your ceiling.The hide can be kept taut with ropes and hooks.
Step 14: It's a good idea to apply a leather oil.
The oil should be applied to the skin side of the hide once it is 80% dry.The entire surface should be coat evenly.Through the drying process, repeat several times.
Step 15: The hide is covered in smoke.
The hide is soft and flexible, but you may want to smoke it to force the tannin into the fibers.The opening of the bag should be suspended above a small smoky fire for several hours.Natural colors can be added to your leather by different kinds of wood.Cottonwood can create a golden leather.Try different woods in your area to see what you can create.
Step 16: Put a finish on it.
The leather can be polished.It is possible to make patent leather by treating the leather with a coat of acrylic or polyurethane.Embossed leather can be used to create permanent shapes or designs in the fabric.The leather should be cut according to the end user's specifications.