Scrolling Antlers? - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

doodle1 · 04-20-2007, 04:24 AM

A friend of mine asked if it is possible to use a scroll saw on deer or moose antlers. I didn't want to risk trying for fear of damaging my saw. Has anyone tried this, and if so what type of blade would be good.

CanadianScroller · 04-20-2007, 05:56 AM

I have not done it yet but it was discussed some time ago.
Antlers can be scrolled. The smell is like burned hair, so nice to have wafting through the house. best to do it outdoors if possible
There is also a problem with bacteria and fungus in the antlers so respiratory protection is a must.
Moose antlers would really lend themselves to wildlife scenes. There are some carvers over on the Wood Carving Illustrated forum that carve antlers, they may be of some help. The link to the forum is on the left of the screen.

workin for wood · 04-20-2007, 11:50 AM

I make pens out of deer antlers. I cut the anters to rough shape using my scroll saw and my #9 skip tooth cuts it just fine. It is a hard material. If you are scrolling something that has exit cuts, that's where you are likely to have the most difficulty. Most times when I cut through, right near the end of the cut it'll catch and lift the piece, then break off the antler...leaving a sliver sticking out of one of the pieces...no big deal for me, i just sand that off, but I'm going to drill and turn it anyhow.
I certainly have noticed some expensive store stocked antlers. I bought a box of about 12 antlers for $5. At the lumber store in town where I usually buy my exotics, they are selling antlers for turning stock now. I saw a moose antler, just the one antler was $165. I saw a deer antler for $80, and a piece of a deer antler that was long enough for only one pen and it was $40. I can generally average 3 pens from one deer antler, at a cost of about 20 cents per antler piece. So you sure have to watch where you shop and beware how much you are paying. A normal price for one full deer antler should be between 5 and 15 dollars depending on the size.

Minnesota scroller · 04-20-2007, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by workin for wood

So you sure have to watch where you shop and beware how much you are paying. A normal price for one full deer antler should be between 5 and 15 dollars depending on the size.

Or, get your butt into the woods in the fall and find your own.

workin for wood · 04-20-2007, 03:54 PM

yea, that sure works. But they are hard to find out in the woods. I only ever found one antler in the woods, and it was partially eaten into the marrow by mice or rats. I still salvaged a pen out of it though.

bearfretworks · 04-20-2007, 05:20 PM

I've scrolled moose and caribou antlers.....while hard (they are bone!), be patient, use a medium speed and it'll be fine. Also, dust collection is a good idea due to the smell.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianScroller

There is also a problem with bacteria and fungus in the antlers so respiratory protection is a must.

This comment is often repeated. It may be possible to have an antler contaminated by bacteria and fungus IF it is a shed picked up off the forest floor after a few year of sitting there and decomposing. However, it is completely FALSE if the antler is fresh or recently shed.

BobD · 04-20-2007, 05:40 PM

I wonder how that information gets spread around...I've been doing a lot of research lately on dust dangers...Here's the results of that research.

Dust down to 3 microns is usually trapped before it gets to your lungs...mucus membranes, etc. That is why some woods, such as Walnut for me, tear up your sinuses, etc., when you are exposed to it. The toxins/allergins/bad things are attacking that specific area...and that is why some woods can cause sinus cancer and other cancers of the upper respiratory system.

But the smaller particles, below 3 microns, can be even more dangerous because they pass right by your body's natural defenses against dust...In fact, particles around 1 micron in size can actually pass through your lungs into your bloodstream. If they don't pass into your bloodstream, they collect in your lungs, and the mucus, which is your lungs' natural way to bring solids and "pollution" for lack of a better word, out of your lungs has a difficult time picking up those small particles. Instead those particles irritate your lungs, which usually causes fluid buildup similar to pneumonia.

Getting back on topic...I wonder if particles (dust) from some materials, such as spalted wood or bone, actually fracture into smaller pieces, which travel further into your lungs, and cause more problems. That would explain the stories of people getting seriously ill after exposure to bone dust or spalted wood dust...

Sorry...just thinking out loud. Feel free to dissect what I've said...an open and honest discussion!!!

Bob

doodle1 · 04-20-2007, 06:00 PM

Thanks for all the input everyone. My neighbor is a hunter and has heaps of antlers. He was making lamps out of them but there are only so many antler lamps that one can put in a house. I figured for their anniversary I would just sneak over and borrow one to make a gift with. I don't think they would mind or notice if one went missing for a few days and turned up something nice for their home.

bearfretworks · 04-20-2007, 06:03 PM

I agree with you Bob that particulate size is the key. Read any thread on dust collection on any woodworking forum and one common theme is the very small stuff is what gets you! Some woods and bone produce LOTS of very fine particulate matter compared to others. Look at Padauk, cocobolo, etc.....

Another common theme is that they rapidly deteriorate into flame wars....

BobD · 04-20-2007, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Another common theme is that they rapidly deteriorate into flame wars....

So you're saying that...the smaller the particle, the faster they burn???

LOL... I know what you mean! I'm probably over cautious, but when I'm sanding or power carving ANY wood...I wear a half-face respirator with the finest dust cartridges I can find and have my downdraft table running! I also wear me respirator and have a box fan equipped with a HEPA filter next to me when scrolling. In the end, it all boils down to what risks you want to take. This could be a lot of hype...but I've decided, personally, that I don't want to take that kind of risk! This is something everyone needs to decide for themselves!

The only time I don't wear dust protection is when I'm hand carving...cutting off large chunks that the shop vac has trouble picking up <kidding>, hand planing, or scraping.

Bob