How can I make antlers really pretty and smooth, getting rid of the bumbs by the base?

Question

I want to make a jewelry rack out of a pair of antlers. How could I get the antlers clean, smooth, and pretty enough to display? (I might paint them if the resulted color after smoothing turns out looking nasty)

Answer 1

The "bumps" that you describe are a Bucks "velvet" left over from the shedding of their antlers and the new growth that followed. They are in fact a bone substance and you can sand them, but be prepared for the stink that will result. Sanding these bumps will result in dust that for lack of a better description "Smells like burning flesh." If you insist on trying, use a fine carpenters file initially to minimize the dust and odor, instead of a fast spinning high speed Dremel tool. You can then use any detail sander with very fine grit sandpaper to finish them to a smooth clean finish or hand sand to your satisfaction.The finished end result would look more natural if you used a clear satin finish or gloss spray Varathane spray available in any home center or hardware store..Good Luck with your "Project"........

Answer 2

It will almost certainly go away by the time you go to Florida. I'm assuming the pain is gone by now; if not, use ice packs or cold compresses. For the bumps for now, your best bet would be azulene oil, which is soothing moisturizing oil used in Brazil. You can get it at Walgreens or any other drugstore near the hair removal products. Or, if you don't want to buy anything, you can use baby oil for an almost-as-good result. PS You are awesome for letting your girlfriend do that.

Answer 3

Well Ali, if you really want them off do as Crazy d Dan said; sand them down. It really is a lot of work so why don't you just clean the antlers really well with soapy water, rinse and dry them real well and apply some boiled linseed oil. Rub boiled linseed oil as needed to keep them nice, clean and shiny.

Good luck.

H

Answer 4

Use a jewelry rack and do not rune the natural beauty of those antlers, just use them the way they are.

Answer 5

Well, the bumps are natural and most folks like them, but, if you want to take them off, use a Dremel tool with a grinding cylinder.

Answer 6

Make sure you wear a good dust mask and do the work outside. Inhaling bone dust can be very hazardous to your health.

Doc

Answer 7

fine sand paper and lots of elbow grease It will take more time and effort than a dremel but it will be a lot harder to mess up and you have more control

Answer 8

you never want to take wawy the bumps. that has a lot of character .if you want to pain prget reid of bumps then use something else for a mount.----retired texas deputy sheriff----