pipemakersforum.com

After drilling a hole through the piece, should I coat the inside with something?

Are you using the antler as the entire stem, as a shank extension, as a ring on a stem?

As a stem, no, I don't think you'd want to. I have never used antler as a stem though, so that's just supposition.

As a shank extension, yes. It should be fitted over a tenon of wood similar to how other shank adornments are done.

When I do a deer antler shank extension, and I have done four so far, I line it with something. Once I used brass tubing, the other times I sleeved it in acrylic.

Antler is porous and will absorb moisture and can swell enough to crack a tenon if not lined. If you can live with that, I did one as an experiment that was unlined. The tenon is loose when cold, but after about ten minutes of smoking it's too tight to pull the bit. It does color like meerschaum, though, which is why I tried it. No off-flavors so far, but I'm ready for something nasty to start growing in it any day now... Looks pretty cool, though, and after all image is everything in pipe smoking as well all know.

IMHO Deer antler is more than disgusting... putting it into my mouth... blaaah.

Sorry for interrupting you.

I'm using about 2 inches of the antler, with an acrylic mouth piece. Should be done tomorrow.

Ah! In that case, yes - it will be easiest and best to put the antler over a tenon of acrylic or delrin.