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I just found you can straighten antler by soaking in water or vinegar for a few days and boiling for 20 minutes, put in vice and tighten. I will have to try this, Vinegar I read will change color on the surface so I think water is what I will try , it could be a game changer

(12-07-2017, 11:20 AM)Woodshop Wrote: [ -> ]I just found you can straighten antler by soaking in water or vinegar for a few days and boiling for 20 minutes, put in vice and tighten. I will have to try this, Vinegar I read will change color on the surface so I think water is what I will try , it could be a game changer

Hmm...

I may have to try that also, although I'll have to explain to my wife why I'm boiling deer antler.     Although mebbe I could fire up the grill and do it outside.

I used to make miniature goblets and wine glasses from Deer antler. Haven't done it in many years, but it was quick and fun.
Made pens, guitar pins and bridge/nut bones, whittled a long needle and a long toothpick for my olives.
I think I still have some 40 year old antler pieces out there somewhere.

Yeah- it stinks a bit like musty burnt hair.

I made use of a drill chuck by welding a nut on it and used that to hold small pieces.

Water and then boiling how long would I have to leave dry to use. Could I put them on the window sill in the sun to speed up the drying. I'm not going near her oven.

(12-08-2017, 01:25 PM)gear jammer Wrote: [ -> ]Water and then boiling how long would I have to leave dry to use. Could I put them on the window sill in the sun to speed up the drying. I'm not going near her oven.

I think your suppose to leave it in the clamp/vice until dry I haven't tried it yet.

More deer antler but not turned , made from a pampered chef that had a broken handle.  This piece of antler was grown for the job

(12-07-2017, 12:29 PM)crokett™ Wrote: [ -> ]Hmm...

I may have to try that also, although I'll have to explain to my wife why I'm boiling deer antler.     Although mebbe I could fire up the grill and do it outside.

...................
I think the softer core of an antler can be stabilized and filled with a wood stabilizer...Pretty sure it would work better with a vacuum unit...I built one a couple years ago so I may try it with Gator Juice like I do on spalted woods.

Interesting thought. If you do that, drill out some of the center of the antler so it can better get inside and permeate the softer core. Just use a bit smaller than 7mm so you can still drill it larger for at least a 7mm pen or somesuch.