Deer Antler Powder Measurer

[Cowboy]

I asked my neighbor that next time he went to hunt for deer antlers could he bring me back one. I wanted one because I would like to make a couple of powder measurer's out of it.

Have seen them for sale pretty cheap but I want to make my own for the satisfaction and experience.

I have a few questions that I would like to ask.
1. What do you use to cut the antler with? I only have basic hand tools. ect. Hacksaw, Woodsaw.

2. How do you hollow out the antler tips and what do you use to do this? Again, I have no special tools to use but I do have a power drill and an assortment of drill bits.

The antler is a three point antler, so I guess I could make three measurer's. Also besides the questions that I listed above, is there anything else I need to know? Would appreciate your advice and the education. Thankyou, Respectfully, Cowboy :hatsoff:

 

[Obi-Wan Cannoli]

hacksaw or coping saw

wrap the antler with some thick leather, clamp it in a vice, cut the tine off, clamp the tine in the same leather, clamp tine in vice, mark the center with a divot using anything pointy (nail, awl, etc), use the widest drill bit you can get away with, be careful that the drill doesn't dance all over the place on you, drill a little, take it out, reference the size of the cavity by transferring something like sand with a brass measure, repeat until the cavity holds the desired amount of volume. scribe and stain a line below the surface with your final measurement of powder at the range using the brass measure to transfer into your tine


slow down when your saw is on the finishing passes

go as slow a speed as you can get away with on the drill.

I would not use actual bp for making it


If you screw up: I have some antler I can send you for free...or I can just mail you one already done for free if you tell me what size you want?

 

[Obi-Wan Cannoli]

you can then file down to this line at a later time if you want to

 

[Cowboy]

If you screw up: I have some antler I can send you for free...or I can just mail you one already done for free if you tell me what size you want?

I really appreciate your offer very much and your very kind in making it! But I just really want to make one for myself. If for anything more than the satisfaction and the experience gained. If I screw up I can get another antler from my neighbor.

I also appreciate your detailed reply to my questions. It was very understandable and now I have a pretty good ideal on what I need to do and how to do it. You were very helpful!

I will let you know how it turns out. Again, I do appreciate the education and the very kind offer you had made. Respectfully, Cowboy :hatsoff:

 

[Obi-Wan Cannoli]

drilling a pilot hole is really handy

 

[Obi-Wan Cannoli]

my description was totally scatterbrained, but I appreciate the kind words.

make sure you use sand or something for measuring the volume and Not Black Powder

 

[Cowboy]

:thumbsup:

 

[Obi-Wan Cannoli]

you can use this same method to make a handle for a small mora blank: just cut out a small disk bolster from a sheet of brass or german silver, drill a line of holes in the center of the disk so the tang can fit through, clean up with a file, rough up the tang of the blank with a file really really coarsely, pour mixed two part epoxy into the cavity, place the disk over the opening, then insert the tang into the opening, clamp it lengthwise overnight, clean up with a file and sandpaper in the morning...make a simple slip sheath...try not to fall and gore yourself with your own knife :wink:

you can come back later and cross pin it if you want

 

[Obi-Wan Cannoli]

^start with your hollowed out tine

 

[Rick Boylan]

Just one thing to note: I've seen plenty of deer antlers sold at the local PetCo and PetSmart stores.

They sell all different sizes but they aren't cheap. They sell them for people to let their dogs chew on them. I've been tempted to buy a couple and fiddle with.

Here is a picture of a antler powder measure I bought off of a guy on eBay. He does excellent work.

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[Cowboy]

Here is a picture of a antler powder measure I bought off of a guy on eBay. He does excellent work.

Yes he sure does. That is excellent looking! I am going to give it a go and see how bad I can screw it up! :rotf: If all fails, you got me tempted to go on a sight seeing tour on eBay. :grin: Thanks for the pic. Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[Katahdin]

You have everything I use,,Just jump in and do it.I even carve eagle heads on some of mine,powder measures and knife handles..
I use corn meal to check on how much the powder measure holds,if I drill to deep I just melt some beeswax in the hold and work till the measure is correct.or use (epoxy) and redrill the depth.

 

[jeremiah ingraham]

All the advise already given is great. I have used both a hacksaw and a coping saw I think it depends on what you have a preference for.
I like to use a center drill and then drill my hole in the antler. A center punch/window punch would also work. If you make this first mark and it's a little off file the surface and remark it.
I have an adjustable brass measure and set it for the amount of grains I want. Then I get a drill bit that is as close to my measures diameter as possible and place it inside the measure tip first. Then mark your drill bit with electrical tape even with the end of the brass measure. Then drill your hole slowly. I always go a little deeper than the tape mark to account for the angle of the drill bits tip and so you have some room to adjust the antler measure if needed.
Then you can leave it plain or get creative and file the outside. Be careful you could end up going through your antler, not that I've ever done that :wink: .
Good luck and have fun.
Jeremiah

 

[Cowboy]

I appreciate the responses guys, Everybody's advice is well received. I always love learning and doing something new!

You all have been great! Respectfully, Cowboy :thumbsup:

 

[Artificer]

Drilling an antler tine out is kind of like the old Joiner's/Carpenter's rule of "Measure Twice, cut once," but in this case it is "align your drill bit four times before starting to drill." Also, make sure your pilot and actual diameter drilling bits are sharp before you drill.

If you think you may be close to the outer side of the tine while drilling, stop and use a small flashlight and shine it in the hole while you look from the side. Do this in low light such as in a closed closet to check it. Look to see if it sort of glows on the outside. This works much better when drilling cow horn, but will work if you are very close to the outer edge of the tine.

If a tine is too curved, it can be bored out using carbide burs/cutters in a dremel tool.

Finally it is normally best when drilling antler to do it out of the "smell range" of She Who Must be Obeyed. Personally I love the smell of cutting/drilling antler or sanding down a leather mallet, but some folks say it can gag a maggot. Best to do this chore in a garage for that reason, as it takes a bit of time for the smell to go away. :wink:

Gus

 

[George]

Good advice from all. I make all my measures, all rustic and each one comes out a bit different, but they aren't difficult.



Something I do routinely is mark the inside of the measure for another amount, so most of them can do double service. For instance, one which holds 70 grains equivalent of shot I will mark for 60 grains FFg inside so I can load my smoothbores with both powder and shot with only one measure.



Spence

 

[Cowboy]

Those are very nice Spence! If mine comes out half as good as yours, I will be a happy camper!

Respectfully, Cowboy :hatsoff:

 

[Cowboy]

Gus, I can tell that you making these aint your first rodeo! Very informative information and good advice. You have probably saved me from the wrath of my wife! :haha: As I planned on making mine on my little work table in the living room. I now know I will be outside attempting this.

Thanks for the heads up! Respectfully, Cowboy :thumbsup:

 

[Artificer]

Something else when you are drilling is you should be able to feel or notice the difference between the lighter resistance of drilling out the pith and the heavier resistance to the drill bit when you start hitting the solid material of the tine. That is another indicator to slow down, back off the drill and ensure everything is aligned. It is always easier if you can get a large enough tine where you don't have to worry about drilling out more than the pith.

Back in the period when having drill bits was extremely uncommon for the average person, they usually resorted to heating an Iron wire or other piece of Iron to burn out the pith and then scraped out the hole for the correct charge. The smell of burning antler or cow horn is far worse than drilling. I imagine a married man only did that ONCE inside the cabin or house, before bringing down the righteous wrath of She Who Must be Obeyed. :rotf:

Typing a few words to keep someone from having undue Marital Discord is reward unto itself.

Gus

 

[Crewdawg445]

Very easy to make! Definitely an accouterment that's construction doesn't need to be over complicated...

Here's a simple method I've used many times.

I find pleasure in relaxing and making projects around the fire. I'll take my already cut antler (coping saw) and a nail.

Heat the nail and burn out the antler until your charge measures out correctly.

Takes time yes, but you'll get much satisfaction creating a very important accoutrement around the fire! :thumbsup: