Which would you suggest ?

[Kenny Durrant]

I have quite a bit of deer antler that is porous. I should be getting some cactus juice for Christmas, I don't think I was too bad, and I was trying to decide to use C.J. or p.r. resin. I see stabilized bone for knives but I also hear that resin is used to fill voids. The problem is that I"m worried about penetration filling all the minute holes in the center of the antler. I think the coarser antlers make nice pens but I don't like trying to fill all the voids to make a smooth clean finish. Thanks for your input.

 

[Ed McDonnell]

I would not use PR for stabilizing. But that's just me.

Ed

 

[alamocdc]

Kenny, I haven"t done it yet, but I have some Fallow antler that has a fairly large pith. I have been considering using PR to fill the porous pith. My plan is to use vacuum first, then pressure. I will also add less catalyst so the PR won't cure too quickly for better penetration. This is just my plan. I don't know how successful it will be, but I can't use the antler as it is, so I'm not really losing anything by trying.

 

[Ed McDonnell]

PR will shrink as it cures. Thinning it with solvent (styrene) will make it shrink even more since. Not sure what that will do to your antler. Guess there is only one way to find out. :biggrin:

Maybe try some laminating PR (e.g. Silmar 249). That might penetrate and cure better if you are determined to try PR.

Ed

 

[Kenny Durrant]

Thanks for your input. I have also thought about useing vac. then pressure but it the passed it didn't work too well. It was also another app. so that's the only reason I'm reconsidering trying again. The antler I'm useing is also not useable like it is so all I'm out is time and a little material. Thanks again and I'll let you know what happens when I try it out.

 

[plantman]

Antler is not bone, it is dried blood cells, that why some have open pores. I have never had any Wisconsin deer with porous horns. If I had , I would fill with CA as I were turning them or leave some areas natural. I use CA to fill open spots or hollows, but not to put a shiny finish on. I just polish them or apply a wax finish so they look more natural. Jim S