Straightening Deer Antler??

[Problem Child]

I'm still kicking around an idea for a Flintlock primer.Can you heat deer antler enough to get the curve out?

 

[John Wasmuth]

Being as it is solid bone I dont think it will work. Horn is developed out of different material, like hooves so it can be boiled or steamed to soften.

 

[Twice boom]

I read on another forum that you can by boiling the antler.

I did not quite get the results I was after when I tried it ,but none the less it did move for me enough to get by. Then again that was a fairly stout crown piece of antler.
Slabbing the antler works much, much better ,thought that is not what you are after.Stilland unless you choose a some ungodly thick piece you shouldn’t have much problem bending the point part of an antler.
Boil it for 45 minutes or so then try it . If it does not move boil it some more. Place it in you vise over night. One word of caution, if the antler has been exposed to the weather with deep checks it will split on you .
Hope that helps .
Twice.

 

[yeoldcraftsman]

In a word; Yes.

Put said curved section of antler in a closed jar of cider vinegar for a couple of weeks. Maybe three.
At the end of that time I then put the piece of soaked antler into my bench vise that has a pair of wood pieces that has a couple of "U" channels to help the piece straighten without going 'flat' on me. I then leave that for a couple of weeks until I know it's dry. NOTE: the vise I use is similar to a gun makers vise with swiveling jaws.
Once the piece is dry it's pretty straight and I then can put this on a small lathe and can now turn a nice tip for a powder horn or make a pen. Haven't had one go back to the original curve yet. So there's no reason to throw all those curved pieces away.

All that is need for this process is patience. And yes, I have about 4 vises of various configurations so I don't tie up all of them at once.
Have good luck with your project.
Gary

 

[Problem Child]

Thanks.

 

[kmolett]

Gary I am wondering if you can post some pics of your vise set ups. I can't get a picture of the U channel in my mind.

 

[yeoldcraftsman]

kmolett what I did for my "U" channel was draw a U on the end of some thick 2 by pine. I then set up my table saw blade to take a little bit at a time until I had my U channel. It doesn't really have to be deep either, just a semblance of one. I think I started with a 10 inch piece of wood and when I got done only cut it in half. Then I added a small cleat to the top of each piece so that it would lay down on the top of the vise's jaws. Nothing permanent, but for purpose of just trying to straighten out something it works pretty good. I'll find them and try to get a picture for you in a couple of days.
Gary

 

[yeoldcraftsman]

Twiceboom you mention boiling the antler in water and that's what I use if I want to make a measure or a pan brush. I usually let it boil away for close to an hour and take it out and start digging out with small carving chisels to remove all the soft pith material. Once I think I get to the depth I need I put aside to dry overnight. If I need to get more out I then will use my dremel with some cutters and finish by smoothing out the rest of the inside.
Boiling the antler or bones were the method the natives did to make tool handles, especially for knives. They learned early that boiling them first it became easier and faster to work them.
Try this. Find an old file around your shop, say an 8 incher and drop a decent antler piece in the boiling water for an hour or so. When ready take the shank of the file and shove it into the antler piece as far as it goes. Put it aside for 12 - 16 hours and then try to pull it out. That pithy center, once hot and soft will act as a glue and when dry it should hold that file pretty good. If you really want it permanent add one or two steel or brass pins.
Gary

 

[Twice boom]

. Good tip and one I will use. I see it as being much easier than bringing my knife handle to a bright red than burning it's way in to the antler. It does form fit it ,but it is time consuming and a PITA doing that way.

Thanks a bunch.
Twice

 

[omarick1948]

Just use a wood carving (1/4" or 3/8")round burr and your Dremel! Makes short work of grinding the core out!

Rick

 

[Twice boom]

My goodness Twice today I hit pay dirt.
I'll give that one a whirl too.
Thanks Rick

 

[kmolett]

Gary,

I think I see what you are explaining now. For some reason it just didn't click. Not unusual for me however. I appreciate your further explanation and I can't wait to try it out. Now I just need to get some deer sheds. Thanks!

Kevin