beezaboy - Posted - 05/06/2011:  18:49:41

Skin head on nice and even but I left it too high.  Got to come down 1/8" and won't make it.

What can I do properly to save this project and pull head down 1/8".

Wetting it seems to be the obvious answer but often the obvious is wrong!

scooter46 - Posted - 05/06/2011:  19:02:14

That's what I had to do with mine, don't over wet it just take a spray bottle and spray lightly.

TwoTrax - Posted - 05/06/2011:  19:45:34

John, I take by "too high" you mean the tension hoop?   I would re-wet and re-do it over completely, myself.  You can't half do it.  It has to be done again.  just let the head dry all the way before you re-wet it.

beezaboy - Posted - 05/07/2011:  07:13:00

Thanks men.  I did a mulligan.  It's drying now and tension hoop lower on rim.  Hopefully, we'll have a good day.       I hate putting on skin heads.  Too much uncertainty.  I'd rather get a plastic from Bob Smakula and just drop it on.  But sometimes only skin will do.       

jbalch - Posted - 05/07/2011:  07:18:40

I usually mount them with the hoop initially sitting about 1/8" higher than I want to finish.  They usually always stretch that much at least.  Of course, each hide is different...so it is not an exact science.

If I need to stretch a skin after mounting, I will sometimes lay a wet wash cloth on top of the hide to re-soak it.  Then apply the tension to pull the hoop down in to place. let it dry thoroughly before proceeding.  No additional tightening is usually needed.

It is a judgment call.  If you think it needs to come down more than the hide will bear, it might be best to remove it, re-soak and start over,  I have not tried that myself, but I think it can be done

(This thread linked to the hide heads group: banjohangout.org/group/hideheads)

XXXris - Posted - 05/07/2011:  08:37:21

I've put on several skin heads, and never got it right the first time. But, I haven't had any problems removing and resoaking, and then using the first try as a reference point for redoing it. Before removing the first attempt, take some measurements or notice where the flesh hoop is sitting, so you can tweak it on the second go-round.

beezaboy - Posted - 05/07/2011:  10:03:45

 I have not tried that myself, but I think it can be done

Mine is still drying but it appears that you can re-soak and re-do.