Damien Posted May 17, 2014 Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone on here has any experience at working with giant clam shell? I'm hoping that i might be able to use some as an ivory substitute in a reproduction of this Ruhlmann desk. The most important info i'm after is what its like to cut and turn on a lathe, and how strong and stable it is once its finished, as i need it for knobs, escutcheons, and feet, and possibly for the dentil inlay around the top of the desk. Also curious to know what sort of saw one would use to chop it up with? I'm some sort usually used for lapidary? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanM Posted May 17, 2014 Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 Since you will be using a lathe,deer antler would be a better choice.All shell should be worked in a wet enviroment due to nasty/unhealthy dust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Edward Posted May 17, 2014 Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 Why not just use ivory? mammoth is available? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Posted May 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 Unfortunately even mammoth ivory tends to be difficult to get in australia, much less importing it from elsewhere. Same goes for hippo ivory, girraffe bone, and just about every other animal sourced carving medium. I'm wanting to use giant clam is it seems to be fairly hard and takes a good finish, and unlike true ivories...i don't need to go to the trouble of buying it, as i've already got a couple of large clam shells in my garage that i've been wanting to use for something for some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Posted May 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 Going by these pics of a sliced up clam shell it also appears to be a decent ivory substitute at least as far as overall density and lack of pores is concerned. That said, i'm curious about possibly using moose antler, as a few photos i've seen of the sections close to the base of the antler seem to be relatively dense/not as porous as deer antler. So i'd be very eager to hear what anyone has to say on that too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alain Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 Have you ever considered an alternative , Ebony & Ivory Alternatives , http://www.lazarides...ory-alternative http://www.masecraft...vory/Categories google imitation ivory , https://www.google.b...m=isch&imgdii=_ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Edward Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 I can see why you have suggested giant calm shell, very nice looking stuff. For antler I would look to NZ venison growers. The base of a moose antler is not much different from the base of an elk antler, the crown buttons would work, just be selective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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