Drilling antler on a lathe

[jrc]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Over the last few years I have drilled antler many different ways, some not so safe. This is how I do it now, a safe and easy way. Watch the video on you tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAEEaF8z2jM

 

[rb765]

Thanks for sharing that. I have some antler that are waiting on some kits...I might have to try your technique.

 

[Chasper]

You got my attention. That looks like it will work every time.
I've turned them round, put the round piece in a collet chuck and the bit in a jacobs on the tail stock. It works but I feel that it makes it difficult to save the bark. I've been using a drill press vice and lots of shims for the last several hundred I've drilled.
I'm pretty sure you just taught me something that will be very useful and time saving.
Thanks

 

[jrc]

I'm glad to pass on tricks I figure out.

 

[george]

What a cool way to drill blanks. Thanks for sharing, I will try it very soon.

 

[rlharding]

Thanks Jim, I have a few blanks but was too traumatized to drill them!

 

[artistwood]

that was totaly cool! thanks for the great tip!............bear

 

[jskeen]

That is very interesting. I've been one of the "turn it round, chuck it and drill from the tailend" crowd for quite a while, and this looks like it will be quicker. I just wonder if it will be as sure on thinner curved pieces. I'll definitely be practicing and will let everybody know.

 

[pssherman]

Great technique. This would be useful with wood (and other) blanks that are not quite square and straight. You could probably even drill at an angle through a pen blank to take advantage figure of color that is one-sided.

 

[jrc]

Tomorrow I will try to do another one on how I drill my wood blanks. You might like that one also.

 

[StatProf]

I've got a ton of deer and elk sitting on my desk that I haven't touched because I couldn't find a good method for drilling. This will do it! THANKS!

StatProf

 

[Stevej72]

Jim, thanks for sharing. I don't know how many pieces of antler I have ruined, this looks like it will help a lot.

 

[CountryPens]

Thank you for taking the time to do the video.

Lester Moore

 

[Chasper]

It works! I tried it last night and it worked great. Shapes like these are what I've been having trouble with. I could turn them round and put them in a collet or Nova chuck to drill on the lathe, but I would either lose the bark or there would not be enough round area to grip with the chuck. Clamping them in a drill press vise with lots of shims works, but it is partly guess work, and sometimes I guess wrong. This is a clean, simple and brilliant solution, thanks.

 

[C. Scott]

Jim,

THANKS! That is the easiest way that I have seen to drill antler with good accuracy. Thanks for sharing!

 

[jrc]

If you like the way I drill antlers in a few minutes I will post how I drill my wooden blanks.

 

[wolftat]

That actually works!! It's a lot safer than the way I've been doing it for the last several years, probably would have saved me some nice antler too.