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For tomahawks and frontier/Native American projects.

Back when I was making the hornpipe I snapped some pics of the process. I used the tips of the antler since the pith channel is very small and it's much straighter towards the tip.

You can buy hornpipe and wood beads for a few pennies unless you are disturbed, insane or really bored and have alot of raw material laying around. (I fit into all three categories)

You can also use a regular drill press with a cheapo lathe bit secured into a drill press vise. Or just use files and sandpaper.

Antler tip chucked into the lathe securely.

Cut it round.

Cut "stair step" 1/64th" taperd cuts on each end.

Use a center finder bit to start the hole.

Drill out with a 3/16 bit

Use a file to blend the stair step ridges into an oval.

Afer using the finish file I then started with 150 grit A/O sandpaper and worked through the grits up to 320 and then finished with 0000 steel wool.

The hornpipe will have a nice glossy finish and is ready to cut off the chuck. I used a hacksaw to prevent spliting it.

After one coat of Tung oil to seal it and prevent cracking.

Wood beads:

Think about all the expensive exotic wood scraps you have from the handle scales, blocks or hawk handles you have trimmed up. They are too small to do much with but you probably could get a couple beads out of them for a future project.

I am using Scotch Broom since the heartwood and sapwood have a very high contrast and it is a very hard wood. That and it grows all over the place around here.

Drilling a 9/64" hole right at the border of the heart and sap wood.



Without moving the slice of wood I swap out the drill bit for a 1/2" hole saw that I removed the guide bit from. Then core out the piece witha chunk of scrap wood underneath so I get a clean break through.



The core is chucked into the lathe (or drill chuck).



Hole saws never cut a perfect round dowel (or core) so you need to true it up round.



Then I use the same "stair step" cutting technique I used on the horn pipe but make it closer together to get a round finished shape.



A 1/2" triangle file lets me cut the round radius easier then a flat one. I can get into the notch closest to the chuck better and see the angle as I start rounding the bead.



Then start with 150 grit sandpaper and finish with 320 grit.



The last finishing step is to use some 0000 steel wool to put a bit of a polish on it. before cutting it off the chuck.



After one coat of tung oil to seal it and prevent any cracking.