Question for guys that have used antler tip overlays

[buckeyebowhunter]

For those of you that have used antler on tip overlays, how are you able to get them sanded flat enough to glue onto the limb tip? I have wanted to try antler tips for awhile. Thanks!

[Mo_coon-catcher]

I use my Ferrier rasp to get them roughly flat then I’ll rub them around on a piece of 60-100grit sandpaper on a flat board until it’s flat. Then I wrap the overlay with sand paper to flatten the spot o want the overlay. It works well for me, Atleast on wood bows.

Kyle

[Kirkll]

i just use 80 grit self adhesive sand paper on a block of wood to get the flat spot...

But wait.... There is an important part about getting those antler tip overlays to stay put. The antler material is very porous, and just soaks up glue. It's very important to seal that flat surface well before you try and glue them to glass or wood.  You can use epoxy, or thick super glue to do it. then sand again before installation.

I had a lot of antler tip overlays pop off until i figured that one out...  Food for thought.   Kirk

[buckeyebowhunter]

Thanks Kirk, I know about the issue with the pores was just trying to wrap my head around getting them flat enough for a good glue joint.

[Kirkll]

Thanks Kirk, I know about the issue with the pores was just trying to wrap my head around getting them flat enough for a good glue joint.

Sometimes handling small pieces of antler or horn material can get dicey when trying to cut them in a band saw or grind them flat. There are wood clamping methods used by jewelers for working on small stones that could be used for antler, and easily built in the shop.  Get on the internet and study jewelers vises of holding stones. There are several really good solutions.     Kirk

[buckeyebowhunter]

Thank you for the advice 

[Mo_coon-catcher]

Another option to hold those awkward shaped pieces is to hot glue a handle to them.  And pop it off when ready to glue down.

Kyle

[Kirkll]

Another option to hold those awkward shaped pieces is to hot glue a handle to them.  And pop it off when ready to glue down.

Kyle

Jewlers use a similar method for working with stones, only its not hot melt glue. 

[WhistlingBadger]

Yep, I concur with what's been said.  Sometimes, with antler and hoof overlays, I'll intentionally leave the piece bigger than the finish piece will be, just so I have something to hold on to.  Then I trim off the extra once it's level.

With smaller pieces it can work well to clamp my farrier's rasp or file into a vice and rub over it, instead of the other way around.  Just be careful or you'll have fingernail on the rasp along with the antler residue.  (I know.  I've done the research)

Has anybody tried boiling the antler piece, then smearing it with thick hide glue and squishing it into place with a bar clamp?  I've gotten good results doing that with hoof overlays.  I wonder if it would work with antler/bone.

[Kirkll]

I’ve never boiled the antlers, but I have used steam and clamps to flatten them out or bend them after ripping them in half on a band saw. But I’ve always let them dry and sanded and sealed them before gluing.


https://goo.gl/photos/CCan7zuWnxqdFAp26

[Pappy 1]

Deer antler is about all I use, use a belt sander to get flat and thin super glue for the porousness. then light sand on a block before gluing.
 Pappy

[WhistlingBadger]

What kind of glue do you use?  I'm guessing epoxy would be strongest, but hide glue might be more resilient?  I haven't had great luck with superglue for tip overlays--they tend to pop off sooner or later.  But that might be due more to my early failures at making a good joint than to any failing in the glue.   

[Pappy 1]

I use the really thin super glue to coat the antler and the area I will glue to, then med. or thick super glue to glue it on, can't say I have never had one pop off but it is not often. I also never let the antler tip go out passed the wood, if you let it go out passed the wood and hit it on something or drop it on the tip it will almost always pop off, it is like a lever. Some like big sweeping tips, they are beautiful but not very durable for everyday use and hunting,at least for me, I am pretty rough on my bows.
 Pappy

[Kirkll]

What kind of glue do you use?  I'm guessing epoxy would be strongest, but hide glue might be more resilient?  I haven't had great luck with superglue for tip overlays--they tend to pop off sooner or later.  But that might be due more to my early failures at making a good joint than to any failing in the glue.   

Using super glue effectively is all about prepping the surfaces. Gluing tip overlays to glass of carbon works best by roughing up the composite material with 80 grit, then using acetone to clean it. Same with using phenolic, or G-10 material.

Gluing composites to wood I use the same procedure, but only use the thick formula super glue after both surfaces are prepped and clean, only no acetone on the wood.

Once you have sealed the pores on the antler and the wood, and roughed it up again you should be fine using super glue.    Kirk

[buckeyebowhunter]

I have had really good luck with the blue cap gorilla glue, but for overlays I've only used glass and phenolic.  Do you guys think the blue cap gorilla would work well with antler?

[Tim Finley]

Ive boiled them ,Ive soaked them in acetone , I used a dental bit and drilled small holes to pillar the glue among other things. I have used super glue and different types of epoxy and some tips made of antler still popped off .  Antler expands and contracts with temperatures and moisture, horn works much better doesnt come of and is easy to work with .

[Kirkll]

Nothing wrong with that impact resistant Blue top super glue at all except the price...

Here is what i use on everything. Excellent product.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C32ML9Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1