Deer Antler Lamp Directions
- 1). Cut the antlers off at the base of the deer skull. If you have collected antler sheds, you will not have to cut the antlers loose. However, you need at least two antlers to create the stand for your lamp. To cut the antlers off, use a hunter’s bone or field-dressing saw.
- 2). Clean the antlers with oil-based soap and a scrub pad. Use the oil-based soap to maintain the polished exterior of the antlers and to prevent damage to the bone. Set the antlers aside to dry while you clean any other antlers you need for the project.
- 3). Spray a clear coat of polyurethane over all sides of each antler you intend to use in the lamp stand. This coating protects the antlers and produces shinier antlers for your lamp stand. Allow complete drying before proceeding.
- 4). Place two or more antlers into the desired shape for the lamp stand. Position the largest antler in the center, with the base of the antler pointing up at the ceiling; you will need this thickest base for mounting your lamp socket. Group the other antlers around the largest and use masking tape to hold the antlers together in the chosen formation.
- 5). Solder the antlers together in the chosen formation. Apply the soldering material between the different antlers and use the soldering gun to heat the material and create a bond between the antlers. Try to use a soldering material that matches the color of the antlers. Allow the solder material to dry according to package directions.
- 6). Measure the diameter of the lamp socket and use that measurement to drill a slightly wider hole into the base of the largest antler. Drill slowly and have an assistant hold the antlers firmly while you drill to produce a hole for mounting the lamp socket. Drill a narrow hole through the bottom of the large antler for attaching the electric cord for the lamp socket.
- 7). Blow into the holes to encourage any loose materials and dust to come out of the holes. Feed the electric cord through the smaller hole and apply super glue inside the larger hole. Pull the cord through and set the lamp socket into the super glue hole. Allow the glue to dry for a minimum of 30 seconds.
- 8). Attach the lampshade to the top of the lamp socket. Screw a light bulb into the socket to hold the lampshade in place.