Help Needed - Hanging a Hide

[blujax01]

So I bought this cow hide. Why, my wife asks? Because it's a cool looking hide. It shows an even brown tone throughout and the brand, from somewhere in Argentina, is neat.
I want to hang this hide (7x7) on the wall of the den but don't want to put holes in it.
Are there clamping type mechanisms available to clamp the hide then hang it?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Alan

[JSR III]

Don't know about hide clamps, but Homo Depot sells a clip type device for use on plastic/vinyl tarps. Nut sure if the hide is too thick to work in the clamp but may be worth a look.

You could also epoxy glue some string or fine rope loops to the back and when dry/set hang the loops over nails or hooks.

[BaldEagle1313]

Your wife is okay with you hanging a cowhide in the house as wall art? You've already hit the jackpot.

[blujax01]

Originally Posted by BaldEagle1313

Your wife is okay with you hanging a cowhide in the house as wall art? You've already hit the jackpot.

She took one look at it and said: "Is this going in your den or the basement?"
She is a woman of few words ...

[BearBio]

couple of ideas:

Make a wood frame, maybe outa branches (aspen or birch might look good), or maybe 2x2 or roughened/distressed 2x4s. If you use lumber, make some "brands" out of wire coat hangers. Heat red-hot and brand the wood. Maybe torch the lumber? You could "age" some iron nails with vinegar or use hemp rope to assemble the corners. One way to hang it would be to punch holes around the edges and string more hemp (or lacing) and stretch it tight, like you were drying a "wet" hide for drying.

Another way to suspend it would be to make the frame and use the rock and rope way to hang it. Put a rock in a pouch made by bunching up a piece of hide and then tie the cord around the other side so the rock is "captured"==kinda like a ball grommet.

A third way would be to make the distressed frame and use brass upholstery nails to nail it to the frame.

Whatever you, post some pictures (the price for my advice-less than 2 cents)

[jkc]

What I've done to wall mount bear and mountain lion rugs (which have a two-layer felt border that hides fasteners --- staples) is to cut a thin --1/4"-- plywood backer, then using picture-hanging hardware, mount the backer board similarly to hanging a framed picture. In your case, the previously mentioned decorative thumbtacks wouldn't be "tacky", or, I suppose you could glue the hide to the backer, and if there's enough hair to hide them, you might get away with staples.

[Cobroller]

My son's girlfriend works at a leather shop. Her personal cowhide is hung with craft store embossed "star" pushpins. Holes, but they are small if you would want to trim them later for a different purpose.

[OK Hog Shooter]

If you build a frame, be sure and lay out the hide and stretch it as best as you can. The frame should be as least 10 to 12 inches larger and wider as the hide. I'd get a small hole punch and punch holes about every 6 inches or so around the entire hide, about a 1/2 inch off the edge. Using leather boot laces (leather boot laces, or a Tandy equivalent) tend to be more uniform in diameter and less likely to break. As you work your way around the frame, be sure and continually tighten the leather laces until the entire hide is stretched out. A word of caution: the hide and leather laces will gradually stretch over time - you will have to come back at some point and tighten the laces to stretch the hide taut. With a hide of that size it is a formidable task... but much easier than stretching a green buffalo hide for scraping!

[sipowicz]

Throw it on the floor and call it a fifth wall...