Trying Deer Anlter

[kim tucker]

I have ran into a little problem...
I have ran out of the hard part of the antler and I am now into the part just under hard part (outer shell ) of antler and My question is: How do you get rid of the blood color which is present. When useing a dremal the material can be shaped almost like a clay or something (make since?)
Anyhow I would like my project to be white in color like the hard part of the button. Can you help or am I doomed...
Thanks. TuckMobster

[chiseler]

I can't help with your question but a friend of mine got deathly sick from the dust created with a dremel, be very very careful, he just about died.

[Thomp]

only thing i could figure out on the moose antler i used for a cribbage board was to bleach discolorations by soaking I'm mild bleach solution 24 hours then after dry i removed what other discolorations were left with dremel and filled it with white epoxy...

i was using 3 or 4 year old seasoned dry antler sounds like your using freshly killed...

make sure yours is dry or it may get to smelling foul

[AlArchie]

I've been wondering for some time about the structure of antlers as has been commented on here. Several members have mentioned that the central core of the antlers is porus and kinda punky. I've found that SOME antlers are solid, and have no soft core, or very minimal, anyway.

Well, I did a little on-line research and found out that the bone structure of the antler is quite solid as it is growing, and then after the rut (mating season) when the antlers loose their main fuunction, impressing the girls, the deer's body begins to re-absorb necesssary calcium from the antler's core.

So it would seem that shed antlers will be more likely to have that softer pulpy center than antlers taken from deer killed in the earlier part of the season, either by hunters or road kill.

Just thought I'd pass that tid-bit along!

Al

[Krum]

I have carved many an antler but never ran into what your describing. Which could very well be a vein of the antler while growing and your running into the dried blood. I suggest doing this. If you have been carving you have antler dust. Take that and save it. Cut away what you have to clean it out to the point of what your going to carve you can patch it. Take some clean antler dust..not what you just carved out on the bad stuff and add either super glue or CA Glue and mix it up in a cup. This mixer will smoke a bit-please don't inhale! And you have to work fast as this sets up REALLY quick. Paste it in the hole until you get it to the thickness again that you need to carve on. Then go ahead and carve on the antler. This is used for any hole that may be in the way when you carve. When I did antlers I tried to make the pattern not run into holes. But this will solve any hole problems. Also you can use the same idea if you happen to break anything off while carving and you can attach more dust if you want a thicker area. And PLEASE if your smelling burnt hair while carving you ARE breathing in the harmful bacteria that's in antlers. I had made my own dust box just for antlers. It not only protected my eyes but no one was breathing the bad air. Good luck and would love to see your project!
Krum

[kim tucker]

Thanks to all who replied...
Your knowledge will not go to waste and I am seeking someone with a digital cammera so I may post some of my projects. I have 3 now I am proud of..
Thanks To All and Happy Holidays