Snake skin casting questions

[jasonbowman]

To those of you who cast snake skins, I have a few questions:
I have just been given 4 whole copperheads ranging from 22 inches to 39 inches. I am well aware of various tanning techniques ranging from rubbing alcohol/glycerin mix to Rittel's snake tanning kit. However, in reading the articles on here, I have noticed many indicated some tanning products turned dark when PR was put on them. I have Rittel on hand but am scared to use it if it will turn dark when cast. So, what is the best way to tan these for pen blanks (I really like rittels for regular tanning to presevre the colors and accents but these are too pretty to mess up)?

My other question: what color works best for the tube? When casting labels, I use a flat white and they turn out very well. On rattlesnakes, I usually paint the tubes black or dark grey and that turns out well. Ho wabout copperheads? Their skin is usually thinner than rattlesnakes when they're tanned so I THINK the tube color is going to make a lot of difference...

Thanks in advance.

 

[its_virgil]

I can't answer your question about Rittels or any other commercial tanning kit. But, I can say that the skins I use work great and I can send you the instructions when I return home tomorrow. The routine used borax and a mis of alcohol and glycerin. The skins are baby skin soft and work very well. I've reported of skins turnning dark but I have no idea of how they were tanned. You could try the Rittels on one skin and test it out. Email me if you want the tanning instructions. Ican't attach them to a PM via IAP.

I have had copperhead skins and it is quite thin. Not sure about copperhead, but rattlesnake skin is sometimes thin. The time of year when the snake was harvested and the skin thickness are related. Soon after the old skin is shed the new skin is thicker and the closer the skin is to being shed the thinner...I may have this backwards.
But the few pieces of copperhead skin I have had was very thin.

I would paint the tube with a color close to one of the colors in the skin. I use a very glat camo green for rattlesnake skins that I use. Paint a tube and wrap a piece of skin and see how it looks. If you don't like it try another color. Good luck.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

To those of you who cast snake skins, I have a few questions:
I have just been given 4 whole copperheads ranging from 22 inches to 39 inches. I am well aware of various tanning techniques ranging from rubbing alcohol/glycerin mix to Rittel's snake tanning kit. However, in reading the articles on here, I have noticed many indicated some tanning products turned dark when PR was put on them. I have Rittel on hand but am scared to use it if it will turn dark when cast. So, what is the best way to tan these for pen blanks (I really like rittels for regular tanning to presevre the colors and accents but these are too pretty to mess up)?

My other question: what color works best for the tube? When casting labels, I use a flat white and they turn out very well. On rattlesnakes, I usually paint the tubes black or dark grey and that turns out well. Ho wabout copperheads? Their skin is usually thinner than rattlesnakes when they're tanned so I THINK the tube color is going to make a lot of difference...

Thanks in advance.

 

[el_d]

I have used Rittels and had no problems with it. I used it on some diamondback with a very small amount of the oil. Not sure how it would work on copperhead but I would love to get one. I already got the fountain pen kit waiting for one. I have seen them on my property but they have gotten away.

Good luck and post some pics when you finish the copperheads.