antler & bone question

[zimmerstutzen]

I am making a powder measure from antler. Got the hole drilled 3/8 wide down 3 inches, but some of that "pith" (part of the inside full of holes) is still along the sides. A dremel type tool only reaches down so far to remove it. In my drill, I chucked a cleaning rod tip with sand paper wound on it and tried that down inside. Is there an easier way to clean out that part? Parts of it are down nice to the point that light can be seen through the antler.

 

[jethro224]

I'd just make it the right size and then seal it with wax or glue and not worry about it. :idunno:

 

[ohio ramrod]

The old timers would use a rod heated red hot to burn out the center. This is especially handy if you need to follow a curved section. Just remember to do it outside. Burning horn has a NASTY smell. :surrender:

 

[MSW]

The old timers would use a rod heated red hot to burn out the center. This is especially handy if you need to follow a curved section. Just remember to do it outside. Burning horn has a NASTY smell. :surrender:

what he said (emphasis added) ... i have taken to waiting until the place where i do this kind of work is downwind from the house .. sleeping on the couch gets really tiresome at my age.

 

[omarick1948]

You guys are sure making a lot of work and trouble for yourselves! ... Just use a long round- ended rotory rasp/wood carving burr in a eletric drill or smaller shank size in a dremel type grinder/flex shaft. Sorry, most of the idea's about burning a hole is an old "wives tale" and most were bored and scraped out with a hand drill and sharp knife!

Rick

 

[gmarc]

Amen Horner!

And you can, once the horn is drilled, use a sleeve of brass tubing, glued in, to reinforce. Maybe not PC, but looks nice once the tubing is fled flush with the horn/antler.