Antler & Bone

[zimmerstutzen]

Is it difficult to cut antler and or bone on a scroll saw and does one type blade work better than others?

 

I was given some spatulated (flat) parts of some caribou and fallow deer antlers and I can cut perfect circles with a wet diamond coated hole saw.  When buffed out it shines like ivory.  I can cut the circle in two along the porous central pith and get two nice round pieces to work with.  Then I can cut a design in the antler as an earing or broach, etc.   

[MTCowpoke22]

I've tried to cut deer antlers once. What I noticed, first off, is the smell, which is not good. Secondly, they were a little interesting to cut as there were hard and soft spots. I set up speed up and used a fairly thick, stout blade. I was just cutting off the buttons, so nothing intricate. So not sure how that would work.

[Scrappile]

I cut deer antler with no problem.  Use the same blades I use cutting wood.  I do not mind the smell, use to it from the pen making days.  I was just cutting a figure out of a cross section of the antler.

[hawkeye10]

I cut deer antler with no problem.  Use the same blades I use cutting wood.  I do not mind the smell, use to it from the pen making days.  I was just cutting a figure out of a cross section of the antler.

Paul I would like to see that when your finished.

[Ron Johnson]

Like Paul indicated Perry you can use same blades as if cutting wood. I think I had used a #5 when I cut the cougar out of moose horn.

[Scrappile]

Paul I would like to see that when your finished.

I cut it some time ago.  I was just playing around.  I suppose a person could make a pendent or something doing this.  Not nearly as nice as Ron's.

 

http://www.scrollsawvillage.com/gallery/image/9092-kokopelli-in-antler/

Edited September 9, 2016 by Scrappile

[amazingkevin]

Like Paul indicated Perry you can use same blades as if cutting wood. I think I had used a #5 when I cut the cougar out of moose horn.

Whoah! Ron  that is tops

[amazingkevin]

I cut it some time ago.  I was just playing around.  I suppose a person could make a pendent or something doing this.  Not nearly as nice as Ron's.

 

http://www.scrollsawvillage.com/gallery/image/9092-kokopelli-in-antler/

Paul you excell in all facets of scrolling ,Scrappile is an understatement

[Lucky2]

Perry, sure you can cut it, but, can you stand the smell of cutting it? I don't know about cutting bone as I've never done it, but, I have cut antler stock before, and it STINKS!!

Len

[Tommy Johnson]

Bone and Antler have about the same bad smell. Just make sure you wear a mask especially since it is spatulated! Good luck!

[bbofpp]

check out this site: http://www.wesley-knight.com/bespoke/

 

eyewear from horn cut on a scroll saw!

 

bb