Monday, June 4, 2007

Tanning Leather for Moccasins- Part 4

Another source of tanning leather involves chemicals. This process is called chrome tanning. The drying and finishing steps are the same as vegetable tanning. However, in chrome tanning, the hide is placed in a bath of chromium salt. As in vegetable tanning, once the process is complete, the hide is wrung, split and shaved to thickness.

Because the hide is exposed to many drying processes, it needs to have some of the natural oils
replaced. This is called fatliquoring. This is where the hide is placed in a drum of oil emulsion for 30-40 minutes. After this, the hide is again wrung, dried, and finished.

Quote of the Day:

"Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks
before you need it."

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