Clothes drier for tumbler

[Creek]

I am thinking of making a fur tumbler from an electric clothes drier. Has any of you guys done this? I want it to soften tanned furs and fluff up the dried furs. I probaly won`t use the heat. Any suggestions?

[titan69]

I know a guy that uses an old drier from a laundry mat & it does a great job on the furs he does. I was just at his place this weekend & his furs are super soft. I'm not sure if he uses any heat or not so I can't say on that.

[coyotewhisperer]

I think the corn cob grit might get it all clogged up and it might just quit alltogether on yah. I didn't get the big one made this summer I wanted to so I'm getting this

www.vandykestaxidermy.com/product/01006130/

And I'll build a simple frame for it and put a used motor on it with a gear reduction. It's only 30 gallons but it will do for now.

Jeff

[MickMcLaughlin]

I don't know anything about tumblers, but I do know dryers.

I have worked on the damn things for 20 years.

If you can ask me a direct question, I can give you an answer.

I have been told by taxidermist that a residental one turns too
fast.

Dryers do circulate air, through the drum and out the vent. You could probably clog the drum off, but you would need to adapt the fan to keep the motor from getting to hot.

It is a simple matter to disconnect the heater, but if they have a "automatic" timer it won't cycle unless there is heat.

There is no way to electrically slow the drum down, you might be able to fool with the belt or pulleys, depending on the brand.

Let me know if I can help.

[Horn]

There is an old drier with a bad heating coil in my furshed that any one who wants to come get can have; along with a OLD deep freezer ( like 1952 vintage.) it worked when I unplugged it.

[k9]

How bigs the freezer Mike?

[taxidermyman57]

A converted dryer will work for fluffing and drying of furs but there is not enough drop to break and soften them, to soften furs you need a large diameter drum with many baffles and at least 4 foot of drop.

[k9]

You are right there taxidermy. We used to use big drums like that one side was sealed for drumming and the other side had wire mesh to allow the cob grit to get shanken out from the fur.

I have always thought a guy could make a cheap drum with a big old telephone cable spool.

[Horn]

K9
Its one of those old International Harvester Freezers that have the concrete poured in them for ballast or something. maybe 7X 3.5 or so on the outside but maybe 2.5X4 or so on the inside. the lid is not flat and its a heavy SOB bring a friend or 2 to help lift it.

edited for spelling

[k9]

I'll get back to you on it soon.

[Gibb]

Creek, pm me your mailing address and I will send you information on converting a dryer. We ran a good article in our magazine last year and I will send you the mag.
Cheers Jim

[Stanley]

I'm about 90% sure it was posted on here. With pic's on how to do the wiring conversion for a dryer. Check archives. I plan on using a dryer this fall also.

[Bristleback]

Jeff, did you end up buying the 30 gal unit from Van Dykes?
If so, what did, do you think of it..........?

[SgtWal]

I knew a taxidermist that used a front loading washing machine for a tumbler.

[coyotewhisperer]

No shortly after that i got the NAFA fur handling tapes and greg schroeder said no need to tumble your coon and seemed like he did not want them tumbled so forgot about it.

thinking about it again though for coyotes.

Jeff