Thread: Machining bone

I can't help with advice, but I would certainly be interested in the results.

Bob Willson

Hi Steve,
Been sitting on this one wondering why you want to cut bone. Lots of thoughts like tribal markings and worse. The crazy kids of today would probably pay for something silly like that and thinking further the clamping methods would be interesting.

OK getting a bit carried away but would be interested in what type of bone and the application.

One word Rod. Scrimshaw

I know that I wouldn't want to be in the same room while it was happening. Ran a thin bone piece through my bandsaw to make a guitar nut, and it STINKS.

Bob,
I had a good story going there and you come along and destroy it with one word.

I'll second PeterSemple, and suggest the most important tool is a good facemask.

Bone does stink when being cut or turned, and a quick google will tell you the horrid things which can happen to your lungs if you breathe in bits of bone.

My son's a butcher, and brought home a couple of big bones, but by the time I'd got all the yucky stuff off, then discovered the stench of cutting, I'd decided that I wouldn't be making anything much from bone.

Cheers,
Andrew

Originally Posted by rodm

Bob,
I had a good story going there and you come along and destroy it with one word.

Hey, I didn't say that the bone has to be from something that isn't dead yet!

Bob,
OK your forgiven but I had better stop the imagination as it's getting scarey.

Steve,
Come on fess up what are you doing and is it legal?

Hey rod, using it to preshape guitar bone nuts prior to hand shaping and finishing them off. Finiding out standard cutters are working fine so far, but the longjevity of the cutting faces is an unknown

Could probably use the laser engraver as well, but I still after 6 months havent turned it on. Very time poor. did you want to setup a laser engraver cutter for me mate.....

Originally Posted by simso

Could probably use the laser engraver as well, but I still after 6 months havent turned it on. Very time poor. did you want to setup a laser engraver cutter for me mate.....

You do know that laser tubes deteriorate even when they are just sitting there?

Bob

Even more reason to get it working then hey

Originally Posted by simso

Could probably use the laser engraver as well, but I still after 6 months havent turned it on. Very time poor. did you want to setup a laser engraver cutter for me mate.....

Hi Steve,
I'm in the same boat. with spare time.
I have a half finished machine I haven't touched since January.

Made a letter opened from bone when I was about 10, don't seem to remember that it stunk
But they were well boiled and dried.
Cheers
Wolffie

Yay, laser is finally working

PS, machining bone with standard router bits seems to be working fine so far