badwin
Member
I love the antler pens. Up here in Alberta, Canada there is a ton of deer sheds. How bad do they smell when you turn them? Are they easy to drill and do you sand and finish like wood? Thanks!!
Smell of Antler Pens
- Thread starter badwin
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WoodChucker
Member
I guess it could get bad if you did very many at one time. But if you only do a few it's OK. There very easy to drill and that's where the smell really comes from. Turning them is pretty easy as long as you don't get too aggressive. Most people that I've talked to don't use a finish on them, I've only made a few and used a hut plastic polish that seemed to work pretty good. But someone else can give you better info on that.
knottyharry
Member
Hi Brian,
This is just my take on the antler. Others may have different thoughts on the subject.
I don't mind doing the antler. Yes it does have a smell to it. And it is a little harder to work with. It is brittle, and when you drill it take your time. Don't drill a lot at once, and clean the drill bit often. If you have a dust collector, or vacuum use it.
The one thing I do is that I soak it for several hours befor I use it. This to me, seems to help with the smell a little. And makes it easier to turn. Just my opinion.
As for the finish, I treat it just like wood when I finish it.
I wish I had access to it like you do. It isn't easy for me to get. So if you ever want to sell some let me know.
Harry
This is just my take on the antler. Others may have different thoughts on the subject.
I don't mind doing the antler. Yes it does have a smell to it. And it is a little harder to work with. It is brittle, and when you drill it take your time. Don't drill a lot at once, and clean the drill bit often. If you have a dust collector, or vacuum use it.
The one thing I do is that I soak it for several hours befor I use it. This to me, seems to help with the smell a little. And makes it easier to turn. Just my opinion.
As for the finish, I treat it just like wood when I finish it.
I wish I had access to it like you do. It isn't easy for me to get. So if you ever want to sell some let me know.
Harry
wicook
Member
Hi Brian,
Welcome to another Albertan! Harry says it has a smell to it. I would respectfully call that smell a STINK! It does, however, result in a nice product. With a good seal layer (I use shellac), it can be finished with anything you'd use on wood. One of the biggest difficulties is sealing all the porous areas.
Welcome to another Albertan! Harry says it has a smell to it. I would respectfully call that smell a STINK! It does, however, result in a nice product. With a good seal layer (I use shellac), it can be finished with anything you'd use on wood. One of the biggest difficulties is sealing all the porous areas.
coach
Member
I have turned several and sand them like I do wood. Then mm to 12000. I then just put Shellawax on it and they are very glossy. Yes, they do stink. You get used to the smell after a couple. I always wear my respirator when I turn them.
badwin
Member
Thanks everyone. Once the snow finally melts here I will get out and look for some sheds and give it a try. In the area we live in there are thousands of deers. To Harry, I don't know if I can send you some across the border it might be illegal, but I can look into it. Wouldn't sell them though just give for the price of shipping. To Bill, hi to a fellow Albertan.
Badwin, I have gotten antler from friends on "the other side" with no problem... the usually just label the customs receipt as crafting samples... same as I do for the stuff I trade to them.
If you get a good windfall of antler I would also be interested in doing some trading... I usually have a nice supply of good woods on hand...
The biggest suggestion I can give on using antler is to be real careful of the dust.. it can cause some nasty health problems.. I usually set my dust collector just under the ways of my lathe to catch the dust and wear a respirator... This could especially be a problem with sheds since you don't know what micro-organisms are living in them after they have been laying around..
If you get a good windfall of antler I would also be interested in doing some trading... I usually have a nice supply of good woods on hand...
The biggest suggestion I can give on using antler is to be real careful of the dust.. it can cause some nasty health problems.. I usually set my dust collector just under the ways of my lathe to catch the dust and wear a respirator... This could especially be a problem with sheds since you don't know what micro-organisms are living in them after they have been laying around..
swm6500
Member
Brian, I have only made one of the antler pens, it is on the show your pens forum now. I did not have a problem with the smell, but I did notice it. If you were too aggressive it could probably smell up the shop. As for finishing I used MicroMesh to 12000 and then used a plastic polish from CSA and then a couple of coats or Renaisannce Wax. Take a look at it on the other forum and see what you think.
PS. I will always take antler if you have extra.
PS. I will always take antler if you have extra.
PenPauli
Member
For me the worst part is when I bandsaw them to size. It does stink. I would compare it to how I would imagine burning teeth smell. But once I get past the cutting to size part it isn't bad.
rtgleck
Member
You guys aren't nearly far enough north to be taking about things thawing out. C'mon. My Wife grew up in Flatbush (near Westlock). Now that's North. 
Antlers aren't too bad for 1 or two as others have said, but you are basically turning skin/bone so that'll give you an Idea of what your going to turn.
Antlers aren't too bad for 1 or two as others have said, but you are basically turning skin/bone so that'll give you an Idea of what your going to turn.wicook
Member
Shoot, Randy, Flatbush and Westlock are just suburbs of Edmonton...a bit further north than St. Albert... Since I'm next door to Edmonton, I'm almost there!
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