Pour one for me

[James MacMillan]

Thanks - waiting builds character, and some of my friends tell me that I'm a character!

[TheSp8]

Joe,

What do you use to bring back bleached antler? I saw a recipe online somewhere once but didn't save it. I generally keep to the 50/50 mix so it ends up looking more like old pewter. I tend to use 3x5 cards as my dam to hold my pour. It works well but I might try the masking tape to see if it shapes a bit easier. Seems like it might. Looking forward to the finished sgian.

YMOS,
Tony

[Archangel]

Thank you for posting this article.

[Joe Gondek]

 What do you use to bring back bleached antler?

I use a mixture of Potassium Premanginate and water as a stain
two or three coats and let dry overnight
this a great old time stain and really soaks in, it will stain just about anything

Then rub the antler to the desired shade you want with 0000 steel wool and linseed.I usually melt a little bees wax into the oil and put it on warm

the oil and wax mixture helps to fill in any cracks in the antler
if you look at the first picture I posted of finished sgians, the two in the middle
are older bleached antler,the one on the right is fresher antler that I stained using the same technique

[mkmound]

Thanks - waiting builds character, and some of my friends tell me that I'm a character!

I'd agree whole-heartedly -- you're a character!!!!!









[Joe, sorry for hijacking your thread . . . ]

[James MacMillan]

I'd agree whole-heartedly -- you're a character!!!!!







[Joe, sorry for hijacking your thread . . . ]

I just love this place!

[Tartan Hiker]

I use a mixture of Potassium Premanginate and water ...

Proportions???

(This is a great how-to thread. I've never tried pouring my own bolsters, but that's going to change soon. Maybe by the end of the wekend! )

Also...You pinned the blade but didn't mention glueing it in place. Did you epoxy it or does your metal fill that space, too?

[Joe Gondek]

  mixture of Potassium Premanginate and water ...
Proportions???

1 part potassium to 3 part water and stir

You pinned the blade but didn't mention glueing it in place.

no need for glue the pewter fills in the space and anchors the pin

if you give it a try let us know how it turns out

[Joe Gondek]

Sorry that it has taken so long to get back to this thead by work and family has kept me away from my shop.

I don't use a belt sander just hand files and sand paper.

these are the tools that I use to shape the bolster

the file card is used to keep the file clean while you file.if they are not clean it will leave marks in the metal



shaped and ready for sanding

[Joe Gondek]

I sand starting with a 220 grit
and work up in grades,320,400,600,then crocus paper on the final



I use the same grades of sand paper on the blade and the butt end of the antler
I rub the horn down with 0000 steel wool

this what I use for stain
it is mixed with water 1 part stain to 3 parts water