Antler Turning

[White Oak]

Can deer and elk antler be turned with common HSS lathe tools? Thinking some decorative powder measurers.
Thanks,
Ed

 

[C. Siman]

Hi, I don't know what HSS means, but I have successfully turned deer and elk antlers also the tips of cow horn into powder measures and tips for my powder horns on my ANCIENT wood lathe. I found the secret is to have your gouges insanely sharp. hope that helps. Take Care, Clarence

 

[44-henry]

I have turned antler and horn in my metal lathe on a few occasions using high speed steel lathe bits. Aside from being rather smelly, it turns nicely. I have never attempted to turn it using turning chisels, but it can be filed and sanded easily in the lathe.

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

Can deer and elk antler be turned with common HSS lathe tools? Thinking some decorative powder measurers.
Thanks,
Ed

HSS = High Speed Steel

Yes it can, it is a bit harder on tools and requires that they be sharpened more frequently.

elk antler ball starter

elk antler shot charger/plug

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

Elk and ebony powder measures/shot chargers

 

[Wes/Tex]

Ooh! I like those! :thumbsup:

 

[Woodyrock]

An age thing, I thought 'common' turning tools were nice carbon steel. None of mine are HSS. Antler does take the edge off pretty fast......but...wait for it. Carbon steel turning tools are period correct. Just had to say it.
Woody

 

[MSW]

nice looking work!

 

[omarick1948]

I turn applied and screw tips and other antler and horn regularly and it doesn't matter what type of metal your turning tools are made of generally. The secret is lathe RPM speed and scary sharp tools.

JMHO,
Rick

 

[BillinOregon]

Rick: Lathe speed? High or low?
Tom: WOW, mister, those things are just gorgeous!

 

[Rifleman1776]

Already well answered. I have turned antler. Stinks but results can be pretty.

 

[White Oak]

Very nice work Tom! :thumbsup: Got some extra antler here and wanted to give it a try.
Thanks for the replies all.
Ed

 

[White Oak]

All right Woody. You win. Guess I need to pick up some carbon steel tools for this job. Don't think my lathe is going to qualify as PC though.
Aint no treadle.

 

[Woodyrock]

My lathe is wood bed and cast iron made in the UK in 1853...damn near period itself. Enough iron to build at least three new ones. It was line shaft driven until I got it in 1970. I posted pictures of it on the Horners Bench.

Back to topic, taking very light cuts like turning dense tropical woods works best for me with antler, and bone.
Woody

 

[omarick1948]

Rick: Lathe speed? High or low?

Antler low speed and about any speed for horn! Sharp gouges are the main key.

Rick

 

[larry wv]

Wish I could do that. Nice. :thumbsup: Larry

 

[Rifleman1776]

Rick: Lathe speed? High or low?

Antler low speed and about any speed for horn! Sharp gouges are the main key.

Rick

I have been turning about ten years. As time passes I find my lathe speeds are going up. Irregular pieces, like antler require care to avoid the bump-bump-bump or catching. But once rounded high speed is fine with good tool control.

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

Thanks for all of the positive comments, turning antler is not without its issues, the shards from the blowouts can be very hostile projectiles.

As time passes I find my lathe speeds are going up. Irregular pieces, like antler require care to avoid the bump-bump-bump or catching. But once rounded high speed is fine with good tool control.

This has been my experience as well.

 

[kaintuck]

I have been looking for a resonable priced access place to get tips to turn.....the deer around here are tinsy, so tinsy antlers...when I can get them~
so where are you folks finding these work peices?

 

[Billnpatti]

Here's one source for antlers
http://www.antlers-for-sale.com/