Snakeskins

[Jmhoff10500]

I have access to some snakeskins but the guy says they are just air dried... Must they be tanned to cast or would they work as is?

 

[Phunky_2003]

It depends on how long ago they were ummmmmm harvested? Dunno if that would be the correct word. I have casted some that were not tanned. After skinning and cleaning and leaving for a few days I glued them to the tubes. Let them dry in the sun for a few days to make sure they were completely dry. Then casted. They turned out just fine.

The tanning keeps the skins soft and pliable. If they are not tanned they get hard and crack easily.

I have also heard if you get one that is stiff. You can soak it for a few hours in 50% antifreeze and 50% water and it will soften. Some also use the same solution for tanning snake skins. I havent used that theory on either case so can't confirm.

 

[jthompson1995]

I have used air dried skins plenty of times and they work fine. If they are stiff, cut a piece a little larger than you need it and soak it for a few minutes in water, then wrap around the right size tube. Don't glue it on yet, but let it dry and it will be curled close to the diameter of the tube. Once it's completelly dry again, glue it on like you normally would.

 

[ZanderPommo]

john, of all the skins ive sent you only the cobra was tanned, the rest were cleaned and air dried. that should answer your question

 

[Jmhoff10500]

Yup! Maybe we even are getting them from the same guy! Thanks!

john, of all the skins ive sent you only the cobra was tanned, the rest were cleaned and air dried. that should answer your question

 

[ZanderPommo]

its possible