Antler

Interested in making clay pipes, meerschaums, olive woods, or some other exotic material? Talk about it here.
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bandkbrooks
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Antler

Post by bandkbrooks »

A friend just have me a bunch of deer antler. I have no idea where to begin with the stuff other than a mask because I heard repeatedly that it stinks. Any advice is welcome.

Brandon.
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JonBood
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Re: Antler

Post by JonBood »

Smell is not THAT bad, but I've heard that it is recommended with breathing mask anyway to reduce horn dust that can be harmful to lungs.
The antlers is quite hard and can be somewhat brittle, at least in my experience so be careful on a lathe. Also it tends to almost melt and get burnt if friction gets to high in the lathe, this makes it even more brittle afterwards.

Don't know if that's what you were looking for but that is some of my knowledge from deer, moose and elk antler :D
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bandkbrooks
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Re: Antler

Post by bandkbrooks »

Than you. Are you drilling it on the lathe as well? What are you using as a tenon to join it to the shank?
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Joe Hinkle Pipes
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Re: Antler

Post by Joe Hinkle Pipes »

The smell is very minim as long as you keep it cool. If you overheat or Burn it the smell is ten times worse. Turn a tenon on the briar shank and epoxy the horn or antler on. Same way for a stem inlay.
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bandkbrooks
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Re: Antler

Post by bandkbrooks »

Thank you guys.

Brandon
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JonBood
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Re: Antler

Post by JonBood »

fuchi_jeg wrote:The smell is very minim as long as you keep it cool. If you overheat or Burn it the smell is ten times worse. Turn a tenon on the briar shank and epoxy the horn or antler on. Same way for a stem inlay.
What he said!
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bandkbrooks
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Re: Antler

Post by bandkbrooks »

What are your thoughts about an occasional wipe down or spray with cool water when turning on the lathe / drilling.
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JonBood
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Re: Antler

Post by JonBood »

I'd prefer it as dry as possible, it tends to move a bit when drying..
Think you'll do fine by just taking it easy and watch out if it tend to get hot.
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Joe Hinkle Pipes
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Re: Antler

Post by Joe Hinkle Pipes »

I agree. moisture or heat can change the dimensions, probably not a problem when gluing with epoxy, but I have had some changes in mortise and tenon fit.
wdteipen
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Re: Antler

Post by wdteipen »

It's best to let antler dry/age before turning. One way I use to determine if it's ready to use is by the color. If it has a yellow tint then it's too soon. If it is grayed then it's good to go. It stabilizes with age so you have less chance of splitting down the road. It also looks nicer the older it is.
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BirdAndBear
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Re: Antler

Post by BirdAndBear »

Do you need to have a stainless tube inside it (for a longer extension) or can smoke travel through it without being toxic?


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wdteipen
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Re: Antler

Post by wdteipen »

BirdAndBear wrote:Do you need to have a stainless tube inside it (for a longer extension) or can smoke travel through it without being toxic?


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If you intend to use a long enough piece that the airway will go directly through the antler you might consider stainless steel tubing but it's not toxic so it's not an absolute must. I find that antler has an off taste that it could impart while smoking. That's the main reason I would consider lining it with SS tubing.
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socrates
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Re: Antler

Post by socrates »

I've worked with ivory, bone and antler. I always wore a respirator when doing so. Ivory is the worst but didn't want to take a chance with any of them. They all smell when they get hot. I have a P100 (hepa) respirator when I work on pipes and such. Already had a severe case of Pneumonia in June. I don't care to repeat chest tubes and a hospital stay again at least for awhile.
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