Sandpiper Pumps in Leather-making Process by Kelair Pumps

Case Study
Sales Engineer Cory Jessop (WA)

No hiding the value of Sandpiper pumps in leather-making process

Making leather is a time- consuming process.

Kelair's customer begins the process by first removing all existing fat and meat from the hides. They are then soaked in heated water (60°C) in a tank for twenty- four hours. Once this period is up the water is drained using a Sandpiper S20 (2" Aluminium/Buna) pump.

The hides are then placed on a bench where quicklime or wood ash is applied to the wet surface.

To prevent the hides from rotting or stiffening, they are placed on another bench were a Sandpiper S1F (1" Poly/Teflon) pump is used to spray the hides with a mix of tallow (animal fat), and egg yolk which also makes the hide go very pale.

The next step in the process is tanning the leather and this is achieved by spraying two to three coats of liquid dung (bating). A Sandpiper S1F Poly/Teflon) is used for this which allows the next process of tannin to be easily absorbed into the hide. The tannin is sprayed on using a Sandpiper S1F Poly/ Santoprene pump.

After this, the hides are placed over a log in a clay- lined pit where they are spayed again with a mixture of water and oak bark, again using a Sandpiper Poly/ Santoprene pump.

For the last part of the process the hides are placed in a tank and soaked for forty eight hours. Once this has been done, the tank is drained using a Sandpiper S15 (1-1/2" Poly/Santoprene) pump and the hides are hung up to dry.

These hides are used for a range of different products eg; shoes, bags, holsters etc.

This example shows how much work goes into making leather and why Sandpiper is so important to the manufacturing side of the process.