In this weeks blog I will be showing you how I made an Antler shelf for my home.
You will need...
- Suitable Antler piece of your choosing for mounting
- Saw (band saw, hand saw, hack saw or grinder will work)
- Bleach and scrubbing brush (optional)
- 6mm threaded rod with wing nut (other mounting options can be used)
- Araldite or similar glue
- Drill and drill bit
Firstly, I chose to scrub my Antler piece with bleach to clean it up. It did come up clean and white however it did lose some of its aesthetic appeal in my opinion.
Next I ran the Antler piece through my bandsaw to create a flat profile on the back which will sit flat against the wall once mounted. I was surprised at how easily it cut. I expected to significantly dull a blade but it did not. Whilst doing this it is important to keep the Antler flat on the bandsaw bed for a straight continuous cut. This can also be done by hand with an alternative cutting device. Perhaps clamp it to a table, mark it with a pencil and straight edge and cut with a hand saw.
The next stage is to drill the required number of holes at 90 degrees to your saw cut ready to glue in the threaded rod. I needed 2 x 7mm holes for the 6mm threaded rod I had chosen to use. I was able to use threaded rod as I was able to bolt through the wall of my fire place. One piece of rod would pass through the wall and be fixed using the wing nut with the other shorter piece of rod simply acting as a supporting pin. I clamped the Antler to a table to prevent it from moving during the drilling. Please note we are not drilling through the Antler, merely into it approx 20mm if the material will allow.
I then cut the required lengths of rod to be glued. Tip – if in doubt of the correct length, go longer. It can then be reduced in length once glued.
The Antler was then stood upright using some firewood off cuts allowing me to glue the 6mm rods into the 7mm holes.
Ready for mounting on the wall
Holes drilled in the wall. Hole on the left all the way through. Hole on the right is only through the plaster board to act as a supporting/locating pin. The wingnut has been fitted on the other side of the wall which is not visible. Other concealed fixing options can be utilised to suit your needs.
