Deer antler (update)
- Thread starter CMC75
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Woodchipper
Member
Watching this request for future reference.
Rob
Member
I've done quite a bit of antler in the past. Thin CA is your friend here. It will firm up the pith as you turn it to size. Take your time, wear a respirator and have fun.
So if I understand you correctly, I will CA now, turn a little and CA again as I approach the size I want? Thank you!
Also Rob, any tips on picking a spot on the antler for best pieces? One was from the base of the shed and the other was from a tine. I thought the tine would have less pith.
mg_dreyer
Member
Mark I do want to use your technique to hopefully retain some of the bark sometime. I did buy those rubber gripped vise grips to use like you are doing. With these pieces I chose to square them on my table saw and put them in blank jaws for easy center drilling. I was surprised to see how much of the marrow area showed up. I feel like the outcome will not be as nice with the pith being so big.
I will give it a go tomorrow and see how it turns out. Thanks for the video.
randyrls
Member
I have made many antler pens for hunters. My offer was give me a tine/end and the shell you used and I make the pen from that. I turn down the tine to match the end of the shell casing leaving the tine mostly untouched brown bark. I apply a solution of potassium permanganate and the white turns a lovely brown shade. The turning STINKS, LITERALLY!!!
I helped a friend for many years with the rush of dressing deer but he quit doing it because bureaucrats passed so many rules and regulations that he could not possibly follow them all.
I helped a friend for many years with the rush of dressing deer but he quit doing it because bureaucrats passed so many rules and regulations that he could not possibly follow them all.
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randyrls
Member
I updated the previous post with a photo.
That is pretty cool, is this with a slim-line kit?
Rob
Member
That has worked well for me in the past. The CA fills the pores in the pith/marrow making it solid as you turn. The tine has less pith, but antler has quite a bit of color, from whites, to blues to grays. Each one is unique, it's like deer burl!
Mortalis
Member
Please! Don't forget to use a respirator.
Turning deer antler for pens poses significant respiratory risks due to the inhalation of fine, jagged dust that can cause serious lung infections, irreparable tissue scarring, and fibrotic lung disease. Unlike wood dust, antler particles are difficult for the lungs' natural defense systems to remove, and if the antler is not fresh, the dust may also contain bacteria, fungus, or microbes from dried marrow and blood.
To mitigate these dangers, craftsmen emphasize that wearing a high-quality respirator (not just a simple dust mask) and ensuring robust ventilation or dust collection is mandatory. The material also produces a strong, unpleasant odor during turning, and some users report allergic reactions or respiratory distress even from CA glue fumes used to seal the porous antler surface.
Turning deer antler for pens poses significant respiratory risks due to the inhalation of fine, jagged dust that can cause serious lung infections, irreparable tissue scarring, and fibrotic lung disease. Unlike wood dust, antler particles are difficult for the lungs' natural defense systems to remove, and if the antler is not fresh, the dust may also contain bacteria, fungus, or microbes from dried marrow and blood.
To mitigate these dangers, craftsmen emphasize that wearing a high-quality respirator (not just a simple dust mask) and ensuring robust ventilation or dust collection is mandatory. The material also produces a strong, unpleasant odor during turning, and some users report allergic reactions or respiratory distress even from CA glue fumes used to seal the porous antler surface.
randyrls
Member
Yes; With a new bullet with two drill bits for the ink fill, the bullet glued into the shell and the primer location drilled out to accept a transmission.
Definitely wearing good respirators during all of the process. Thanks for looking out!
Here is how it went. Thanks to all the experienced turners here, I followed everyone's advice and was really happy about this pen! This was too much fun! Thanks for all the help.
-CA glue for filling in the marrow area like Rob suggested.
-sanded with 600,800 and then a few coats of thin CA
-sanded with 1500 and then built up a CA finish
-wet sand through the Micro pads
Some pics from the process. My son did the Hickory.
-CA glue for filling in the marrow area like Rob suggested.
-sanded with 600,800 and then a few coats of thin CA
-sanded with 1500 and then built up a CA finish
-wet sand through the Micro pads
Some pics from the process. My son did the Hickory.
Rob
Member
Looks great...nice job.
Dave Mallory
Member
Congrats on making your first deer antler pens. They are true keepsakes. As far as the smell goes, Anson from Springfield pens (he does a great job making bespoke fountain pens) says that when you turn deer antler your workspace will smell like someone has been making bone broth for days!
. here are a couple of antler pens that I have made…..one from the more medullary antler, and a couple from the more cortical antler.
. here are a couple of antler pens that I have made…..one from the more medullary antler, and a couple from the more cortical antler.Attachments
Thanks Dave. The music/fountain pen is great! They're all great looking pens but love the darkness of the fountain.Congrats on making your first deer antler pens. They are true keepsakes. As far as the smell goes, Anson from Springfield pens (he does a great job making bespoke fountain pens) says that when you turn deer antler your workspace will smell like someone has been making bone broth for days!