Moose Antler

[clthayer]

I have turned three pens out of a pair of these babies.

The first was a nickel plated 300 mag slimline, which was given to the gentleman who gave me the antlers.
These are the second and third

The question I have for all of you is this. Some of the antler sections are rough. They didn't smooth out during sanding. Is this the pithy part that I have heard about in other posts? It didn't seem soft, was quite firm. If it is the pithy section, what do I do to smooth it out?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Christian

 

[fiferb]

I fill the deer antler I turn with a medium or thick CA. Use several coats if necessary to fill in all the pores. Then you can sand it smooth and shiny.

 

[DocStram]

Bruce is right. Before gluing in the tube, drip thin ca down the inside. Then glue in the tube. Once you start turning, use thin ca followed by a little thick ca. When you finish turning, thin ca again while sanding. I usually use the Beall 3 wheel system on mine. But, I'm certain you'll get lots of different ideas about the process.

 

[TellicoTurning]

I have found that sometimes, my buyers like the rough feel of the pen, but personally, I agree with all said here..fill and smooth.
cool pens though.. I like doing the horn.

What caliber of cartridge did you use[?][?].... and since I don't hunt or own guns, what is a good source of the cartridges[?][?] can you buy them from sports stores for the reloaders[?]

 

[clthayer]

The cartridge in the pic is 308. I bought two boxes of 20 from Midway. Shipping was a bit steep though.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=381757
These come without the primer in them so you don't have to press them out.
Christian

 

[TellicoTurning]

We have a Legends sport outlet in Athens.. about 30 miles away and a Gander Mountain just north of Knoxville.. since I'm in both cities periodically, shipping isn't problem.. is the 308 same size as slimline nib?

 

[clthayer]

It seems like the 30 calibers work for the slimlines. I didn't actually measure, but 308, 300, and 30-06 have worked for me.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Originally posted by clthayer
<br />It seems like the 30 calibers work for the slimlines. I didn't actually measure, but 308, 300, and 30-06 have worked for me.

FYI: They are all .308 diameter, same bullets all three, different amounts of push behind them.

 

[clthayer]

Thanks Frank, I do a little bit of shooting, but the only difference I could see was the size of the red mark on my shoulder.[]