How to make deer antler chip beads

Chips beads are probably some of the easiest and simplest beads there are
to make. They can be made with only a small number of tools and some basic
knowledge.

Tools:
A vise - A small table vise will be something you might want to hold the
antler while cutting and drilling the antler.
A small fine toothed saw - such as a coping saw.
A drill - an electric drill will be faster but a simple hand powered drill will
work just fine.
A means of sanding - A belt sander or disc sander are ideal but plain
old fashioned sandpaper and a flat surface will do.

And we begin...

Select smaller antlers about 1/2" to 3/4" in diameter for your beads. The length
isn't really as important as the diameter. Clamp the antler securely in your vise
using some kind of padding to prevent the vise from marring the surface of the
antler; Myself, I use a small piece of old leather as a pad.


A length of antler clamped in the vise

Now using your saw cut thin slices from the antler, about 1/8" to 3/16" thick.
Don't worry if the chips aren't a perfectly even thickness they can be leveled
out to some degree by sanding later.


Fifty freshly cut chip beads


This one is a little thicker than most

After you have cut out as many beads as you want you'll be ready to drill
them. How I do it is to clamp each individual bead in my vise and drill my hole.
I would recommend a 1/16" or 1/8" drill bit for the holes depending on what
material you plan to string them onto. 1/16" for plain string or 1/8" for heavier
leather lacing or cord. Try to keep your holes as close to the approximate center
of the bead as possible.


Freshly drilled and ready for sanding


Drilled and ready for sanding

After all the beads have been drilled they will be ready for sanding. This serves
two purposes, to remove unwanted tool marks from the saw and to help even
out their thickness somewhat. If using a power sander there is a little trick you
will want to use, wrap your thumb with masking tape and then over wrap that
with two sided tape to hold the bead during sanding. You will need to replace
the two sided tape from time to time since it will lose it's stickiness as you work.
Warning: The antler beads will get hot if you hold them on the
sanding surface too long, so be careful not to blister your thumb! Once you have
sanded them down enough to remove the tool marks you will still likely have to
do some light hand sanding to remove any burrs from the edges of the beads.
This will only take a moment of time and small piece of 100 grit or finer sandpaper.


That big sander for that little bead?!?


It takes a little practice to get the feel of sanding like this

If you opt to use sandpaper instead of a powered sander try to be patient as it
will take a bit longer.I would recommend at least 100 grit sandpaper but finer
grits will produce a smoother finish; though they will take a little longer. Just
remember to sand the beads in one direction to ensure an even finish. As a rule
I find that a circular motion provides the best results when working on something
like chip beads. Additionally, doing it by hand will eliminate the need to remove any
burrs since you will have an easier time controlling the bead on the sanding media.


Please note the circular area on the sandpaper

And now you are ready to either string them or make different variations on the
beads such as dying them different colors. (but that is another article. )


Sanded and ready for stringing or dying

~Fin~