Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Moose antlers?!?!?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Springville, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    216

    Moose antlers?!?!?

    Hello all! I just got a call wondering if I could engrave moose antlers. Apparently they'd like some kind of picture or whatever in the shovel part of the antler. I told them because of the odd shape of the antler I'd have trouble getting it in the bed, etc. The customer asked if I had any ideas (besides painting) on how to get a picture on the shovel part of the antler. I told him maybe someone could draw a photo with pencil and engrave by hand with a hand engraver (the old fashioned kind from way back....you know what I mean). I told him I'd put my feelers out for some ideas. Any ideas where to direct him?

    Thanks


    Lisa

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Houston, Texas
    Posts
    948
    Hey Lisa,
    How are you? We have done a few Elk and Deer antlers but it is usually at the base where they make the cut. So it is a large semi circle area and relatively flat. Antlers look kinda like a mini sponge, once you have lasered it. Right now we are doing just plain initials for a guy that makes knife handles out of them. Make sure you have GOOD evacuation because it does SMELL. So if the area is smoothed out relatively flat you could do it. Positioning and maintaining that position without interfering with the movement of your laser is also challenging. I am looking for my mini vise that has a suction cup on the bottom to use next time but for now we just make a jig using blocks of wood and approximate the plumb of the antler with a level at 90 degree and then at 180 degree. So far it has worked because they keep coming back.
    Have a Blessed day,

    Michael Kowalczyk

    Laser-Trotec Speedy II 60 watt with 9.4.2 job control and will soon upgrade to JC X
    Corel Draw Suite X6, FlexiSign Pro 8.62, AI CS3 and Lasertype6

    CNC Routers-Thermwood model C40 with 4th axis. Thermwood Model 42 with dual tables and dual spindles with ATC for high production runs,
    ArtcamPro 2010_SP4, EnroutePro 5.1, BobCad v21 & v24, Aspire v8 and Rhino 5.
    FOTC link
    http://www.sawmillcreek.org/friends.php?cp=210&lp=0&t=0&q=

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Yorktown, VA
    Posts
    2,754
    Back when i lived in Alaska...pre-pipeline and before Sarah was born....there were artists who did wonderful pen and ink drawings on the shovel. Also saw pyrography used to create drawings that were equally impressive.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Springville, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    216
    Thank you Mike for the helpful information! He didn't say the size of the antlers, just that they were "large" and weighed about 10 pounds a piece. Once you get them positioned in the laser, do you over ride the door magnets so it will run with the lid open? Maybe you don't have door magnets (I am not sure what a Trogec looks like)......and I do have a great exhaust fan so it should take much of the smell out if I decide to try it. It sure depletes the heat in my building I know that hahahaha! I figured once I lasered through the antlers they'd kind of look like bone marrow inside (that sponge you mentioned). I have only seen the inside of deer antlers so I figured moose couldn't be too much different (how many times will someone ever say that in their life??)

    Lisa

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Springville, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    216
    Thanks I will mention this to him......I bet people with that talent are way more common in Alaska than here in Pennsylvania Once in a blue moon there is a moose that makes it this far down, but it's pretty rare. One time, many years ago, Elk was common here though.

  6. #6
    You can cut a stencil with the laser and either paint or sand balst with it and paint fill... just a thought...
    Kim

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Springville, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    216
    Thanks Kim! The first thing I asked him is if he wanted text or something else.......I figured text (or a basic clip art type item) would be much easier than a photo. I don't like to mess with sand blasting but I have two neighbors who do it so maybe I'll give them a call and see what they think.

    Lisa

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Houston, Texas
    Posts
    948
    Not sure how you would do it with open doors. Moose antlers can be huge from what I have heard and what I have seen from a distance in Yellowstone or on TV. And I suspect everyone of them will be different. Ask them to send you a picture of it and dimensions to give us a better idea of what we are up against. If detail is not a major issue you may want to get a 4" lens to have better "Z" clearance.

    The ones I did were only 6-10" in length, about 1.5" diameter and we had to prop them on about a 45 degree angle. So not sure if this will help but I hope it does somehow and ...
    Have a Blessed day,

    Michael Kowalczyk

    Laser-Trotec Speedy II 60 watt with 9.4.2 job control and will soon upgrade to JC X
    Corel Draw Suite X6, FlexiSign Pro 8.62, AI CS3 and Lasertype6

    CNC Routers-Thermwood model C40 with 4th axis. Thermwood Model 42 with dual tables and dual spindles with ATC for high production runs,
    ArtcamPro 2010_SP4, EnroutePro 5.1, BobCad v21 & v24, Aspire v8 and Rhino 5.
    FOTC link
    http://www.sawmillcreek.org/friends.php?cp=210&lp=0&t=0&q=

  9. #9
    How do you get the moose in your laser?
    Lasers : Trotec Speedy 300 75W, Trotec Speedy 300 80W, Galvo Fiber Laser 20W
    Printers : Mimaki UJF-6042 UV Flatbed Printer , HP Designjet L26500 61" Wide Format Latex Printer, Summa S140-T 48" Vinyl Plotter
    Router : ShopBot 48" x 96" CNC Router Rotary Engravers : (2) Xenetech XOT 16 x 25 Rotary Engravers

    Real name Steve but that name was taken on the forum. Used Middle name. Call me Steve or Scott, doesn't matter.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Houston, Texas
    Posts
    948
    OOh OOh I know. One antler at a time.
    Have a Blessed day,

    Michael Kowalczyk

    Laser-Trotec Speedy II 60 watt with 9.4.2 job control and will soon upgrade to JC X
    Corel Draw Suite X6, FlexiSign Pro 8.62, AI CS3 and Lasertype6

    CNC Routers-Thermwood model C40 with 4th axis. Thermwood Model 42 with dual tables and dual spindles with ATC for high production runs,
    ArtcamPro 2010_SP4, EnroutePro 5.1, BobCad v21 & v24, Aspire v8 and Rhino 5.
    FOTC link
    http://www.sawmillcreek.org/friends.php?cp=210&lp=0&t=0&q=

  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    West of Fort Worth, TX
    Posts
    296
    Lisa, have you thought of contacting your art class? Just a shot in the dark.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    S W NY Killbuck
    Posts
    286

    Moose Antler

    Many woodcarvers also carve antler, generally with rotary tools. Lots of carving clubs in PA. You might try a search for a club near you.

  13. #13

    Right Here

    There is a member here Luke Phillips

    who does beautiful rotary hand tool engraving - as in scrimshaw.

    I am sure he can do this type of work.


    Have not heard from him in awhile but maybe you could contact him.

Similar Threads

  1. Moose Antler
    By Ray Mighells in forum Laser Engraving General Topics
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 04-04-2008, 5:05 AM
  2. Moose antlers
    By Dave Bureau in forum Turner's Forum
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 01-22-2008, 11:45 AM
  3. Moose antler bottlestopper
    By Barry Stratton in forum Turner's Forum
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 05-04-2006, 8:18 PM
  4. Deer Antlers
    By Christopher K. Hartley in forum Turner's Forum
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 05-04-2006, 5:40 PM
  5. Ron Smith: I need antler help
    By Noah Alkinburgh in forum General Woodworking and Power Tools
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 12-03-2003, 9:42 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •