Turning Deer Antlers

Re: Turning Deer Antlers

Jim Davies, Clayton, NJ

>Al.

I have turned a number of pens from deer antler. The trick is to get a large enough section to work with. You do not want to turn the softer insides so you have to be choosey about the size and very careful when you drill the hole in it. Best bet is to cut it for half blanks, 2 1/2 to 3" long.

Oh ya, wear a nose clip when turning it. It stinks!

Jim D.

Re: Turning Deer Antlers

JohnL(VT)

>Make sure you wear a mask of some kind. That means cutting, drilling, turning & especially sanding. You don't want to put antler dust in your lungs. It smells like burnt hair. If the antler is over 1" in diameter the center will be somewhat soft. Use CA glue to firm up the softer inside.

Turning Deer Antlers

Al Amstutz

>Thanks Jim and John, next question,do I want to use the CA before or after drilling? The antlers I have is a 6 point pair. Is it really worth sacrificing the set for a few pens. In other words are the pens that attractive to make them worth more than wood?

Thanks

Re: Turning Deer Antlers

John Lucas

>Al

I haven't turned much antler and the pieces I got were thin and crooked. To get around this I mounted them between centers and turned a little, then recentered until I found what would give me the thickest turning. I used a parting tool to turn very short 3/8" tenons on each end.

Then I put a scrap block on the drill press and clamp it in place. I drill a 3/8" hole in the block. Now place the antler in the drill press with 7mm drill in place(if that's the pen size you use). Put the tenon on the antler in the hole in the scrap block and then center the other tenon on the drill bit. Now you can drill through the center of even a thin piece of crooked antler.

Re: Turning Deer Antlers

Stuart Johnson

>I haven't turned any antler but a fellow was showing some pens at Rocklers one day. He said the best thing to do was turn the piece round using a small spur drive then drill for the tubes. He said this allowed him to work around the natural curve.

The idea of the smell turns me away from even trying it.

Re: Turning Deer Antlers

Jim Davies, Clayton, NJ

>It all depends on what you like. Many wemon like them but if they buy one it is normally for aa man.

Below is a photo of one I use every day and have received tons of compliments on. It has helped me sell a number of pens.

Jim D.

Re: Turning Deer Antlers

John Lucas

>Stewart

Just put a dust collector near the turning. It removes most of the smell. I do this when using CA glue or when turning bone and it removes the smell very well.

Re: Turning Deer Antlers

Tim McGill

>Al,

In my opinion, antler makes a very attractive pen. However, I recommend charging a higher price than wood as the supply for antler is variable and not cheap. As far as your 6 point set is concerned, I would recommend comparing prices in Ebay to see if it is worth it to cut up your set or to buy craft blanks from someone else.

Some of the pen suppliers offer antler for about $18 per pound, claiming that each pound can yield 4-6 pens. I can�t verify the yield as it will vary with the pen size and shape of the antler. Also, as noted by others, more work is required to drill the blanks.

On the plus side, antler polishes very well. Some turners even like to leave part of the nubs on the antler to give it an authentic look.

Have fun.

Tim McGill

Turning Deer Antlers

Al Amstutz

>Now you bring up another interesting point, turning bone. Are there special procedures for doing this. It might be something to try for fun.

AL

Turning Deer Antlers

Al Amstutz

>Thanks SO much to everyone for the helpful, interesting information. This forum is a great way to learn without trial and error.

Gotta give the antlers a try.

AL

Re: Turning Deer Antlers

John Lucas

>I buy the bones from the pet store. They are already cleaned and bleached so it's easier to do things with. I haven't turned much and find that some turn quite easily and some scrape better. It must be the density of that particular bone. It cuts easily on the bandsaw but make sure it's supported or it will roll on you.

I love to do chatter work on bone. I make round inserts from the bone and then chatter it and color it. Then I put these in other projects. It can look a lot like Ivory. It also looks great with gold leaf after you texture or chatter the bone.

Any photos, John?

mainebowlman

>

Re: Any photos, John?

John Lucas

>I don't have any of the ornaments I decorate this way but may have some of the chatter work buttons. I'll look and post a photo if I find any. I have a drawer full of odds and ends but don't remember if I have any bone.

Re: Turning Deer Antlers

John Carr

>Keep in mind that some states have fairly strict regulations concerning selling antler or products made from antler.

Re: Turning Deer Antlers

Eaglesc

>I turn a lot of antler,I have a DC boot Right behind the lathe and do not experience the smell that others have mentioned.

As far a turning the "pithy" part, send me all the pieces you consider not suitable for turning.

This is a modifed slimline from an unsuitable piece of Mule deer.

The inlay is African Blackwood