Antler pulls

[Perro Del Diablo]

 I'm wanting to make zipper pulls with antler tips. Any advise about drilling and screwing in eye screw?

[Alpo]

I would suggest drilling the hole, then filling the hole with epoxy, and then screwing the eye into the epoxy-filled hole, and let the epoxy set.

 

Since antler is basically the same thing that fingernails are, I don't think the screw threads by themselves would give you a good hold.

[Michigan Slim]

Try not to get the bit hot. Stinks to high heaven. LOL

[Perro Del Diablo]

4 minutes ago, Michigan Slim said:

Try not to get the bit hot. Stinks to high heaven. LOL

Yup alot like burning hair 

[Choctaw Jack]

Make sure your bit is sharp, and drill slowly.

Antler ( as well as horn and bone) tend to chip and splinter, especially with dull bits.

As Alpo suggested,set the screws in epoxy for a more secure bond.

Choctaw

[Sedalia Dave]

The center of most antler is rather porous. Drill a hole large enough that the epoxy can adhere to the more solid outer part of the horn.

[watab kid]

you have been given the best advice above , 

 

my added thought would be to try to get the sheds early as the longer they lay about they tend to start to deteriorate , the breakdown of the integrity might leave you with some spoiled results , 

[Perro Del Diablo]

The tips I've got are about 1 1/2 inch long

[Pat Riot]

All good advice above. Nothing to add to that.

I do recommend you evaluate two things if these zipper pulls are on a jacket. 

1. Will you be sitting in a car with the zipper pull on your jacket? Be conscientious of where that pull ends up when driving. Scrunched in the wrong place that pull could be painful after a while. 
 

2. Is that jacket to be worn on a motorcycle? Heavy zipper pulls really are annoying when they are bouncing about against you in the wind. Especially when the pull is all the way up and slapping you in the neck. 
 

Carry On

[Perro Del Diablo]

2 hours ago, Pat Riot said:

All good advice above. Nothing to add to that.

I do recommend you evaluate two things if these zipper pulls are on a jacket. 

1. Will you be sitting in a car with the zipper pull on your jacket? Be conscientious of where that pull ends up when driving. Scrunched in the wrong place that pull could be painful after a while. 
 

2. Is that jacket to be worn on a motorcycle? Heavy zipper pulls really are annoying when they are bouncing about against you in the wind. Especially when the pull is all the way up and slapping you in the neck. 
 

Carry On

It is for my leather jacket. I have some already on it dut have coupl pockets still need them. I choose size based on which zipper. with gloves on does make easier.

[Pat Riot]

4 minutes ago, Perro Del Diablo said:

It is for my leather jacket. I have some already on it dut have coupl pockets still need them. I choose size based on which zipper. with gloves on does make easier.

I do understand that. I tied leather strips to my zippers on my leather bike jacket so o could get a hold of them with gloves on. 
 

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

For others, It behoves one to insure the previous owner of the antlers has fully expired  

[Sarge]

I work with antler and bone quite a bit.  If make something where strength is important, I like to use  a hardening agent.  Minwax makes one the works fine.  Antler will deteriorate with age and can be brittle.  When drilling, I use a respirator.  If I am adding something to the antler, (for example a screw knife), I like to set it in a good epoxy.   

[Perro Del Diablo]

3 hours ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

 

For others, It behoves one to insure the previous owner of the antlers has fully expired  

A lot more fun trying get them fresh off owner.

[Texas Maverick]

2 hours ago, Perro Del Diablo said:

A lot more fun trying get them fresh off owner.

Your definition of fun and mine are completely opposite of each other. Good luck with your way. LOL

 

TM